10 Qualities of a Believer

Described in the Qur’an

1. Believe in the unseen: The first characteristic of a believer is to
believe in Allah — The One True God who created everything. It is
this believe that propels other articles of faith which cannot be seen.
This includes the believe in Angels, prophets, revelations,
resurrection and destiny — either good or bad. And this is why God
puts it clear thus:

This is the Book (the Quran) whereof there is no doubt, a guidance to

those who are Al-Muttaqoon (the pious and righteous persons who
fear Allah much). Those who believe in the Ghaib (Unseen) and
perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), and spend out of what we have
provided for them (i.e. give Zakat , spend on themselves, their parents,
their children, their wives, etc., and also give charity to the poor and
also in Allahs Cause). And who believe in (the Quran and the Sunnah)
which has been sent down (revealed) to you (Muhammad Peace be
upon him ) and in (the Taurat (Torah revealed to Moses) and the Injeel
(Gospel revealed to Jesus), etc.) which were sent down before you and
they believe with certainty in the Hereafter. (Resurrection,
recompense of their good and bad deeds, Paradise and Hell, etc.). They
are on (true) guidance from their Lord, and they are the successful. —
Qur’an 2[Al-Baqarah]:2–5
2. Adhere strictly to God’s injunctions: Indeed man was created
weak and the purpose of his creation is to worship God. Of all God’s
creation, it’s only mankind and jinn that have freewill. It means you can
either choose to worship God the right way or not. This is nothing but a
trial, in order to test who will fulfill the obligation of submissiveness.
The true believer understands he has no choice other than to submit
and remain steadfast until the last breathe is taken. God says:

Blessed is He in Whose Hand is the dominion, and He is Able to do all

things. Who has created death and life, that He may test you
which of you is best in deed. And He is the All-Mighty, the Oft-
Forgiving. — Qur’an 67[Al-mulk]:1–2

3. Guard against His forbidden: The believer tries as much as he

can to stay away from what is unlawful as enjoined by God. No matter
how difficult or confusing it may seem, he’d rather avoid it owing to
doubts. This was well stated by the Messenger of God in the collections
of Imam Bukhari: “verily, every king has a sanctum and the
sanctum of Allah is his prohibitions.”

4. Show humility and mercy to people: The believers are humble

and kind in character. They exhibit the most beautiful traits in human
personality. The best example can be seen from the life of Muhammad
(peace be upon him). Many people came to accept Islam from his
excellent traits. He once said: ―He is not one of us, the one who is
not merciful to the young and respectful to the
elderly‖ (Tirmidhi).
In another narration from Jubayr ibn Mut’im that a man came to the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and said: O
Messenger of Allaah, which part of the land is worst? He said: I do
not know." When Jibreel (peace be upon him) came to him he said:
"O Jibreel, which part of the land is worst?" He said: "I do not know,
until I ask my Lord, may He be glorified and exalted." Jibreel
went away, and stayed away for as long as Allaah willed that he
should stay away. Then he came and said: "O Muhammad, you asked
me which part of the land is worst and I said I did not know. I
asked my Lord, may He be glorified and exalted, and He said: Its
markets." (Ahmad)

5. Unshakable trust in God: The believers know fully well that

everything -good or bad- comes to be by God’s will. No matter how
difficult a situation may be, a true believer will not compromise his faith
for a piece of cake. This is why God reassures the believer in the
following verses:

…And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make
a way for him to get out (from every difficulty) .And He will provide
him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his
trust in Allah, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allah will accomplish
his purpose. Indeed Allah has set a measure for all things. — Qur’an
65[At-Talaq]:2–3
Endure trials with patience: Tribulations are part of life, this has
been mentioned several times in the Qur’an. No believer will make a
claim to faith without been tested. This test comes in a form of trial and
God revealed the solution:

O you who believe! Seek help in patience and As-Salat (the

prayer). Truly! Allah is with As-Sabirin (the patient ones, etc.). —
Quran 2[Al-Baqarah]:153

God’s apostle has this in addition: On the authority of Suhaib (may

Allaah be pleased with him) he said: The Prophet (peace be upon
him)said: ―Amazing is the affair of the believer, verily all of his affair is
good and this is not for no one except the believer. If something of
good befalls him he is grateful and that is good for him. If something
of harm befalls him he is patient and that is good for
him‖ (Muslim)

7. Excellence as a virtue: Bare in mind that no one is perfect, for

perfection belongs to Almighty, the All-Wise. Everything a believer does
is executed excellently well. This is as encouraged by the prophet
Muhammad (peace be upon him):

Shaddad ibn Aws reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and

blessings be upon him, said, “Verily, Allah has prescribed excellence in
everything. If you have to kill, then kill in the best manner. If you have
to slaughter, then slaughter in the best manner. Let one of you sharpen
his knife so his animal is spared of suffering.” (Muslim)
8. No compromise on justice, even against oneself: This is a
distinctive trait of the believer even as seen among common Muslims.
The prophet (peace be upon him) once told his daughter Fatimah that
his love for her will not stop him from executing God’s injunction if she
violates the obligation of the Lord of the Supreme Throne.

Here is a golden admonition from God as found on the walls of Harvard

law school:

O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah,
even though it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, be
he rich or poor, Allah is a Better Protector to both (than you). So
follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you may avoid justice, and if
you distort your witness or refuse to give it, verily, Allah is Ever Well-
Acquainted with what you do. — Qur’an 4[An-Nisa’]:135

9. They strictly guard their obligatory prayers: The believer does

not only observe the five daily prayers. He goes the extra mile by doing
supererogatory acts of worship — standing in the middle of the night.
Allah’s apostle (peace be upon him) was reported to have said: “the
coolness of my eyes is in the observance of prayer”. One of his wives
cautioned him to have prayed excessively and as a result, he got a
swollen feet. He responded to her: ―shouldn’t I be a thankful slave of
Allah?‖

Verily, the prayer is enjoined on the believers at fixed hours. — Quran

4[An-Nisa’]:103
10. Indeed! These are the successful ones: Success is not in
having a paying job or all the good things of life. True success is finding
yourself as an inhabitant of paradise. The believers are those whom God
has promised the supreme paradise.

On the Day you shall see the believing men and the believing women
their light running forward before them and by their right hands.
Glad tidings for you this Day! Gardens under which rivers flow
(Paradise), to dwell therein forever! Truly, this is the great success! —
Qur’an 57[Al-Hadid]:12