“Indeed, Allah has done the believers a ˹great˺ favour by raising a messenger from among them—reciting to them His revelations, purifying them, and teaching them the Book and wisdom. For indeed they had previously been clearly astray.” (Quran 3:164)
It is the human nature to desire improvement, to make progress, to aim at achieving goals and succeeding in life. Even other people around us, family and friends, wish us to excel, to win, and to succeed in all our endeavours. Today, those who are involved in organisations and business management, understand very well the emphasis placed on self-development and self-improvement in order to increase the performance of individuals and teams that make up those organisations.
In the same way, Islam aims to transform human society to the better, but it can only achieve its objectives with keen contribution of the valuable and dependable members of the society. Human beings are much diversified; people are unique not only in terms of their physical details, but also in terms of their psychology, behaviour patterns, attitudes and worldview. It is not possible to shape all humans into a single identity.
What Islam requires is that human beings are trained to grow such that they behave in a predictable way within certain limits. Thus, if they are asked to assemble for prayers at a certain time, the majority of them will turn up. If they are asked to give part of their wealth to the poor and the needy, the majority will respond generously. In Quranic terminology, the word used for this training is tazkiyah. In organisational and management language, it is “self-development” and “self-improvement”.
Tazkiyah encompasses two parts: to cleanse/purify and to develop/improve oneself. Human beings need development and improvement in both.
The Quran tells us: “Prosperous is he who has cleansed himself”. (Quran 87:14). In another place, the Qur’an tells us: “Truly he succeeds that purifies it; and he fails that corrupts it.” (Quran 91:9-10)
The process of spiritual self-development and self-improvement cannot be imposed on us. It has to be the personal choice and responsibility.
The first requirement for tazkiyah is our commitment to cleanse and purify ourselves, and with determination to remain steadfast.
The second requirement for tazkiyah is sincerity in our efforts. Like any deed in Islam, purification of intention is important and necessary in the process of tazkiyah. Allah says in the Quran,”and whosoever desires the Hereafter and strives after it with the effort necessary, being a believer, they are the ones whose striving is acceptable to Allah.“ (Quran 17:19)
With any plan of action there needs to be a model to facilitate its implementation. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is the perfect example for us to follow. He left behind a rich human legacy and to follow him is to set upon oneself a life-long journey of tazkiyah. He was an orphan and a father; a husband and a widower; a shepherd and a trader; a commander and spiritualist; a ruler of his people and among the poorest of them; a father who suffered the heartbreak of burying his children and a grandfather who relished the delightful time with his grandchildren. He exemplified truthfulness, justice, forgiveness, compassion, tolerance, restraint, perseverance, thankfulness, gratitude, cleanliness, moderation, modesty and the many etiquettes of goodness. Thus, the comprehensive study of the life of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and his Sunnah teach us tazkiyah. For example, one of the most important aspects of the Prophet’s life was his moderation and well-balanced conduct.
Brotherhood and community life are essential for achieving self-purification. The evidence for this are all acts of compulsory worship in Islam are communal whether it is prayers or fasting or pilgrimage. It is the strong bond of brotherhood and sisterhood that sustains the seed of faith and it also this strong bond that reinforces human potentiality — tazkiyah. The Quran has put it beautifully, you bind yourself with those who call upon Allah morning and evening. (Quran 18:28) Modern psychology confirms the peer influence as a powerful agent in human behaviour, and group life is the most powerful force to stimulate and inspire people.
