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How can the Muslim discipline himself Islamically, especially if he has shortcomings with regard to his religious commitment, which Allah knows best about?
Praise be to Allah.
Acknowledging your shortcomings is one of the first steps in disciplining yourself .
Whoever acknowledges that he has shortcomings has started on the path to self-discipline. This acknowledgement is one of the things that make us discipline ourselves and be persistent in doing so. This acknowledgement should not put you off disciplining yourself. It is a sign of Allah’s care when a person tries to change himself and develop, as Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Verily, Allah will not change the condition of a people as long as they do not change their state themselves” [Al-Ra’d 13:11]
So whoever tries to change for the sake of Allah, Allah will help him to change.
Each person is individually responsible for his own self, and will be questioned individually, as Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“There is none in the heavens and the earth but comes unto the Most Gracious (Allah) as a slave.
Verily, He knows each one of them, and has counted them a full counting.
And everyone of them will come to Him Alone on the Day of Resurrection (without any helper, or protector or defender)” [Maryam 19:93-95]
Man cannot benefit from what he has been told about goodness unless he himself takes an interest in that. Do you not know the story of the wife of Nuh and the wife of Lut, who were members of the households of two prophets, one of whom was one of the messengers of strong will? Imagine how these prophets strove to guide their wives and how much guidance these wives received, but there was no interest on their part, so it was said to both of them:
“Enter the Fire along with those who enter!” [Al-Tahrim 66:10 – interpretation of the meaning]
Whereas the wife of Pharaoh – even though she was a member of the household of one of the greatest evildoers – is presented by Allah as an example to those who believe because she disciplined herself.
The ways in which a Muslim can discipline himself are as follows:
We ask Allah to help us and you to discipline ourselves and submit to that which Allah loves and is pleased with. May Allah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon his family and Companions.
And Allah knows best.