Self-purification in Islam

IN the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

The Qur’an states: “Indeed the one who purifies himself will attain salvation.” (Qur’an- 87:14)

“By the soul and Him who fashioned it, and inspired it with [discernment between] its virtues and vices, one who purifies it is felicitous, and one who betrays it (and buries it) fails.” (Qur’an 91:7–10)

Self-purification is among the essential tasks required for attaining Paradise. We are placed in this world to pursue perfection and salvation. We are on a journey toward Almighty Allah. Hence, the primary goal of the divine scriptures, the Prophets, and their successors is to guide humanity toward the path of spiritual success and ultimate salvation.

The Qur’an says: “It is He who sent to the unlettered [people] an apostle from among themselves, to recite to them His signs, to purify them, and to teach them the Book and wisdom, and earlier they had indeed been in manifest error.” (Qur’an 62:2)

It also recalls the prayer of Prophet Ibrahim (AS): “Our Lord, raise amongst them an apostle from among them, who should recite to them Your signs, and teach them the Book and wisdom, and purify them. Indeed, You are the All-mighty, the All-wise.” (Qur’an 2:129)

Islam lays out the methods and stages of self-purification. These will be mentioned briefly here.

The first stage of self-purification begins with awakening—becoming conscious of the reality of our existence and the goal of creation.

The Qur’an invites us to reflect on the universe and our purpose: “Indeed in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of night and day, there are signs for those who possess intellects. Those who remember Allah standing, sitting, and lying on their sides, and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth [and say], ‘Our Lord, You have not created this in vain! Immaculate are You! Save us from the punishment of the Fire.” (Qur’an 3:190–191)

We must reflect on our responsibility in this temporary world. Allah tells us: “I did not create the jinn and the humans except that they may worship Me.” (Qur’an 51:56)

This world does not have the capacity to provide true reward or punishment. It is not our final destination.

“The life of this world is nothing but the wares of delusion.” (Qur’an 3:185)

“This worldly life is nothing more than games and a diversion, and the abode of the Hereafter is far better for those who are righteous. Do you not understand?” (Qur’an 6:32)

“The example of the worldly life is like water which has come down from the sky, so it mixed with the plants of the earth from what mankind and the livestock eat. Then the earth takes its shape and becomes beautiful and its inhabitants think that they have mastered it; then Our judgment comes by night or by day, so We make it a wasteland as if it never prospered by the yesterday! It is such that We clarify the revelations to a people who think.” (Qur’an 10:24)

“This worldly life is no more than fun and distraction, while the abode of the Hereafter is the reality, if they only knew.” (Qur’an 29:64)

The Qur’an repeatedly warns us of our manifest enemy, Satan, and urges us to heed the divine covenant.

“O mankind! Eat of what is lawful and pure in the earth, and do not follow in Satan’s steps. Indeed, he is your manifest enemy. He only prompts you to commit evil and indecent acts, and that you attribute to God what you do not know.” (Qur’an 2:168–169)

“The devil is an enemy to you, so treat him as an enemy. He only invites his faction to be the dwellers of Hell.” (Qur’an 35:6)

“Did I not pledge to you, O Children of Adam, that you should not serve the devil for he is your manifest enemy, and that you should serve Me? That is a straight path. He has misled mountain loads of you. Did you not possess any understanding?” (Qur’an 36:60–62)

“Satan frightens you of poverty and prompts you to [commit] indecent acts. But Allah promises you His forgiveness and grace, and Allah is all-bounteous, all-knowing.” (Qur’an 2:268)

“He said, ‘My Lord, for that which I have been misled by, I will make the earth appear beautiful for them, and I will mislead them all, except for your servants who are devoted.’” (Qur’an 15:39–40)

Time is running out, and we will soon be held accountable for our actions. Reflecting on this truth is one of the strongest motivations for awakening and self-purification. Though we are naturally inclined (fitrah) toward righteousness, worldly distractions or the enemy may mislead us. Therefore, Allah sent the Prophets and revealed the Qur’an to remind us of death and the Hereafter.

“The Reckoning Time of the people is getting near, yet they are turning away from the Truth in total negligence.” (Qur’an 21:1)

Many verses of the Qur’an address death and resurrection, urging us to reflect.

“Say, ‘Indeed the death that you flee will indeed encounter you. Then you will be returned to the Knower of the sensible and the unseen, and He will inform you about what you used to do.” (Qur’an 62:8)

“A day when the wrongdoer will bite his hands, saying, ‘I wish I had followed the Apostle’s way! Woe to me! I wish I had not taken so and so as a friend.’” (Qur’an 25:27–28)

“But as for him who is given his book in his left hand, he will say, ‘I wish I had not been given my book.’” (Qur’an 69:25)

“Indeed, we have warned you of a punishment near at hand the day when a person will observe what his hands have sent ahead and the faithless one will say, ‘I wish I were dust!’” (Qur’an 78:40)

According to the Qur’an, true life begins after death.

“(After death) He says: ‘I wish I had worked towards my (real) life!’” (Qur’an 89:24)

Hence, the Day of Judgment is referred to as the Day of Regret (Yawm al-Hasrah), as many will be heedless until it is too late.

“And eventually the agony of death which is true comes to man and he will be told, ‘This is the thing that you tried to escape from, all your life’. Then the Trumpet shall be blown and that is the Day of fulfillment of the dreadful Chastisement, which has been promised. … [It will be stated to him,] ‘You were neglectful of this Day, now We have removed the veil from your eyes and now your sight is sharp.” (Qur’an 50:19–22)

The Qur’an teaches that we are travelers; this world is not the final destination:

“O man, you will be returning to your Lord with your actions and meeting Him. Therefore, whoever is given his record in his right. He will then receive an easy reckoning, and he will return to his family in joy! As for he who is given his record behind his back. He will invoke his destruction. And he will enter a blazing fire.” (Qur’an 84:6–12)

“Indeed we belong to Allah, and to Him do we indeed return.” (Qur’an 2:156)

This life is a divine gift and the only opportunity to seek spiritual growth. The Qur’an urges believers: “Tell My servants who have faith to maintain the prayer and to spend out of what We have provided them with, secretly and openly, before there comes a day on which there will be neither any bargaining nor friendship.” (Qur’an 14:31)

And we are reminded that we do not know when our time will end: “Indeed the knowledge of the Hour is with Allah. He sends down the rain, and He knows what is in the wombs. No soul knows what it will earn tomorrow, and no soul knows in what land it will die. Indeed God is All-Knowing, All-Aware.” (Qur’an 31:34)

Therefore, every individual should value their life, take advantage of the time and opportunities given and strive sincerely for self-purification in this short worldly life.

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