Embrace Self-Growth As Allah's Khalifah and Become an Asset to the Ummah

Self-growth (both internal and external) is crucial for Muslims and is an act of worship that we MUST engage in. As Allah's khalifahs on earth, we cannot stay stagnant and accept mediocrity as part of our life. Our job is to work on whatever keeps us blocked and stuck and to grow- not just spiritually but in all aspects of our life. Embracing self-growth, which should include tazkiyah (process of purification), ultimately brings us closer to Allah SWT. Staying stuck, on the other hand can, for many Muslims become a barrier in their relationship with Allah SWT.

We often talk about self-growth in the Muslim community primarily around spiritual growth and worship. But that is an incomplete conversation and definitely not how our predecessors looked at the process of self-growth. To grow as a Muslim, to become a stronger Muslim, means addressing all aspects of your life, your entire wellness (to read more about the connection to wellness, click here). Because self growth in all parts of your life allow you to live how Allah expects you to- as His empowered Khalifah who is on Earth to uphold His values.

Our self-growth is also tied to building up our communities- starting with ourselves, our families and then branching out. In fact, one leads to the other.

Let me give an example that many of us can relate to.

When you are financially stable, you have more money to give to others, your family, in Zakat, for causes you admire even as you take care of yourself and fulfill your and your family's needs. But to become financially stable requires self-growth- inner and outer. It requires you to understand your finances and learn budgeting for example while also becoming more intentional with your money.

But in the long run, that self-growth (and not just when it comes to you finances but self-growth in all parts of your life) helps you, your family and then ultimately your community.

The focus here is on understanding what it means to engage in self-growth, what stops us from growing, what it means to live life as Allah's khalifah and how to become a contributing member of the Ummah on any scale, in any way.

And also we have to remember that contributing to the ummah doesn't need to be grand or only in terms of financial support. We know from what our Beloved Rasul SAW said: even removing a branch, smiling at others, being kind to animals, are all acts seen by Allah and considered acts of charity. But engaging in even the smallest of actions to the biggest ones which leads to the betterment of our society allows us to fulfill our role as Allah's khalifahs.

I also want to point out that when we don't embrace self-growth, we stay stuck in life. And I have seen this time and time again in my work over more than a decade with Muslims, that staying stuck in life begins to impact one's relationship with Allah swt. You may have experienced this yourself- when you felt stuck at one point in life, you may have found yourself struggling with making dua and feeling hopeful about change in your life.

This is why embracing self-growth is also about getting closer to Allah swt.

This is just one example. In my courses and other blog posts, I hope to share more so that it leads to more of us embracing self-growth intentionally.

If you would like to increase your awareness about how your struggles impact your relationship with Allah, check out the Free Resources.

Also, take a look at the upcoming courses that dive deeper into embracing self-growth.

Be well and many duas,

Amna K