New Year, New Me: The Path to Self-Improvement and Building a Strong Character

The Foundation of Self-Improvement: Strengthening Your Relationship with Allah (swt)

The Primary Relationship

The cornerstone of self-improvement in Islam lies in a strong relationship with Allah (swt). This relationship shapes personality, provides meaning, and lays the groundwork for all other relationships.

The Quran states:

“Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day are signs for those of understanding. ˹They are˺ those who remember Allah while standing, sitting, and lying on their sides, and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth ˹and pray˺, “Our Lord! You have not created ˹all of˺ this without purpose. Glory be to You! Protect us from the torment of the Fire. Our Lord! Indeed, those You commit to the Fire will be ˹completely˺ disgraced! And the wrongdoers will have no helpers. Our Lord! We have heard the caller¹ to ˹true˺ belief, ˹proclaiming,˺ ‘Believe in your Lord ˹alone˺,’ so we believed. Our Lord! Forgive our sins, absolve us of our misdeeds, and join us with the virtuous when we die‎. Our Lord! Grant us what You have promised us through Your messengers and do not put us to shame on Judgment Day—for certainly You never fail in Your promise. So their Lord responded to them: “I will never deny any of you—male or female—the reward of your deeds. Both are equal in reward. Those who migrated or were expelled from their homes, and were persecuted for My sake and fought and ˹some˺ were martyred—I will certainly forgive their sins and admit them into Gardens under which rivers flow, as a reward from Allah. And with Allah is the finest reward!” (Al-Imran, 3:190-195)

This clarifies that reflecting on Allah’s signs fosters humility and a deeper connection with Him. Recognizing His wisdom enables us to find purpose beyond worldly distractions.

 

Ways to Strengthen This Relationship

A Hadith Qudsi, narrated by Abu Huraira, states:

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Allah said, 'I will declare war against him who shows hostility to a pious worshipper of Mine. And the most beloved things with which My slave comes nearer to Me, is what I have enjoined upon him; and My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing Nawafil (praying or doing extra deeds besides what is obligatory) till I love him, so I become his sense of hearing with which he hears, and his sense of sight with which he sees, and his hand with which he grips, and his leg with which he walks; and if he asks Me, I will give him, and if he asks My protection (Refuge), I will protect him; (i.e. give him My Refuge) and I do not hesitate to do anything as I hesitate to take the soul of the believer, for he hates death, and I hate to disappoint him." (Sahih Bukhari 6502)

Practical ways to strengthen the connection to Allah (swt)

• Daily Obligatory Acts: Begin with the five daily prayers, which are the foundation of faith. 
• Voluntary Acts (Nawafil): Extra prayers, charity (Sadaqah), and good deeds enhance this bond, bringing one closer to Allah (swt).
• Dua and Dhikr: Speak to Allah with sincerity, calling upon Him by His beautiful names. Regular remembrance not only deepens your reliance on Him but also brings a profound sense of peace to your heart. To help you in this journey, my "99 Names of Allah Journal" serves as the perfect companion. With this journal, you can learn and reflect on the 99 Names of Allah in just 99 days! Available in both print and digital formats—start your journey of spiritual connection today!
• Acceptance of Life’s Trials: Understand that hardships may occur to teach gratitude and foster resilience. Recognizing Allah’s wisdom in every situation keeps the relationship alive.

 

The Ideal Relationship a Muslim Should Have With Themselves

Self-improvement begins with self-awareness, as guided by Islamic principles. Allah (swt) and His Messenger (ﷺ) encourage Muslims to balance love, respect, and accountability toward themselves.

Lessons from the Quran and Sunnah

Embrace Your Strengths: Abu Huraira reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: 

“ A strong believer is better and is more lovable to Allah than a weak believer, and there is good in everyone, (but) cherish that which gives you benefit (in the Hereafter) and seek help from Allah and do not lose heart, and if anything (in the form of trouble) comes to you, don't say: If I had not done that, it would not have happened so and so, but say: Allah did that what He had ordained to do and your" if" opens the (gate) for the Satan.” (Sahih Muslim 2664)

This Hadith emphasizes the value of utilizing one's resources, both physical and mental, to benefit others. Strong Muslims:

• Utilize their talents effectively.
• Invest in physical and mental health.
• Surround themselves with trustworthy friends.
• Continuously strive for character improvement.

This does not imply that "weaker" Muslims are any less beloved to Allah. Rather, it emphasizes the importance of striving to be a source of benefit for the ummah. This principle is beautifully highlighted in the following Hadith, where our Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:

“The believer is friendly and befriended, for there is no goodness in one who is neither friendly nor befriended. The best of people are those who are most beneficial to people.” (Al-Mu’jam al-Awsaṭ lil-Ṭabarānī 5937)

Avoid Overthinking the Past

The Prophet (ﷺ) advised:

“Do not say: ‘If only I had done such-and-such,’ as this opens the door for Satan.”

Instead, focus on learning from mistakes without dwelling on "what-ifs," moving forward with trust in Allah’s plan.

 

 

Qualities of a Strong Character According to the Quran and Sunnah

A strong character reflects an internal balance, discipline, and respect for oneself and others. Here are the key qualities of a strong Muslim personality:

True Self-Love

Modern society often misinterprets self-love as self-indulgence. Islam defines self-love as:

• Discipline: Avoiding harmful behaviors and striving for personal growth.
• Self-Improvement: Regularly evaluating oneself to identify strengths and weaknesses.
• Growth Mindset: Adopting a willingness to change and develop for the better.

Self-Worth and Confidence

Allah (swt) reminds us:

“And We have certainly honored the children of Adam and carried them on the land and sea and provided for them of the good things and preferred them over much of what We have created, with [definite] preference.” (Al-Isra, 17:70)

Muslims derive self-worth from their intrinsic value as creations of Allah. Strive for balance - neither arrogance nor self-deprecation - by acknowledging both your strengths and areas for improvement.

Self-Management

Effective time and interaction management are vital:

• Time Management: Structure your day by dividing it into purposeful segments dedicated to worship, work, and rest. Utilize tools such as journals or planners to stay organized and focused. For inspiration, explore a variety of practical and effective journal and planner options here!
• Balanced Interactions: Build relationships on mutual respect and avoid unnecessary dependencies.

Openness to Feedback

A strong Muslim welcomes constructive criticism, reflects on it, and uses it to grow. The Quran and Sunnah emphasize humility in accepting feedback and learning from mistakes.

Acknowledging Mistakes

Mistakes are part of the human condition. Accepting and learning from them fosters growth. The Prophet’s (ﷺ) example reminds us:

"Every son of Adam sins, and the best of the sinners are the repentant.” (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2499)

Avoid Envy and Comparison

Jealousy and unwarranted competition drain spiritual energy. Instead, compare yourself with your past self and strive to improve in all areas of life.

 

 

Practical Steps to Achieve Self-Improvement in 2025

Set and Pursue Goals

• Self-Reflection: Regularly evaluate your strengths, weaknesses, and areas for growth.
• Journaling: Use a diary to document your progress and reflections. Get some inspiration here!
• Action-Oriented Plans: Begin with small, achievable goals and gradually expand them.

Health and Fitness

Your body is an Amanah (trust) from Allah (swt):

• Exercise: Engage in at least 30 minutes of activity daily.
• Nutrition: Reduce processed foods and consume a balanced diet.
• Sleep: Prioritize 7–8 hours of quality sleep, avoiding screens before bedtime.

Discipline and Self-Management

Success requires discipline:

• Create structured routines for prayer, work, and relaxation.
• Develop habits like avoiding procrastination and prioritizing important tasks.

Gratitude and Positivity

Allah (swt) promises:

“If you are grateful, I will surely increase [My favor] to you...” (Ibrahim, 14:7)

Adopt an attitude of gratitude through:

• Daily affirmations.
• A gratitude journal.
• Regular smiles and acts of kindness.

Build Healthy Relationships

Maintain balanced relationships:

• Respect personal boundaries while being supportive of others.
• Avoid toxic dynamics and foster mutually beneficial interactions.

 

Conclusion

Self-improvement in Islam revolves around strengthening our relationship with Allah (swt), developing strong personal qualities, and maintaining balance in all areas of life. As the new year unfolds, make a conscious effort to pursue personal growth with sincerity, discipline, and trust in Allah’s guidance.

Through small, consistent steps, you can achieve lasting change and a fulfilling life centered on the Deen and purpose!

References and Further Reading

• Qur'an
• Hadith Collections
• Islamic Scholars and Texts
• Psychological texts

 

One more Note for You

This text has been prepared to the best of my knowledge and conscience and also agreed with a person of knowledge - but as it is the nature of mankind errors are unavoidable. All good comes from Allah and all mistakes from me. And Allah knows best. If you recognize any mistake do not hesitate to inform me at info@yourdigitalukhti.com.
Thank you very much for reading my blog post - May Allah bless you immensely!

 

Wassalamu Alaykum.

Your sister, Aleyna