Taraweeh Reflection
Day 18: Juzz 18
7 Qualities of the Believers
in Surah Al-Mu’minun (23:1–11)
In the beginning of Surah Al-Mu’minun, Allah describes the characteristics of the true believers who will attain success. These verses outline the spiritual and moral foundation of a believer’s life.
Allah begins with a powerful declaration:
قَدْ أَفْلَحَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ
“Successful indeed are the believers.”
(Qur’an 23:1)
The word أفلح (aflaḥa) means ultimate success — success in this life and eternal success in the Hereafter.
Allah then lists seven qualities of true believers.
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1. Humility and Concentration in Prayer
الَّذِينَ هُمْ فِي صَلَاتِهِمْ خَاشِعُونَ
“Those who are humble and fully devoted in their prayers.”
(Qur’an 23:2)
Khushuʿ (خشوع) means:
•deep humility before Allah
•focus and presence of heart
•awareness that one is standing before Allah
Scholars such as Ibn Kathir explain that khushuʿ involves both inner humility of the heart and outward calmness of the body.
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2. Avoiding Idle and Harmful Speech
وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ عَنِ اللَّغْوِ مُعْرِضُونَ
“And those who turn away from idle talk.”
(Qur’an 23:3)
Laghw (اللَّغو) refers to:
•useless speech
•gossip
•insults
•meaningless distractions
The believer protects their tongue, time, and dignity.
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3. Giving Charity (Zakat)
وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ لِلزَّكَاةِ فَاعِلُونَ
“And those who give zakah.”
(Qur’an 23:4)
Zakah purifies both:
•wealth
•the heart from greed
Allah links spiritual purification with social responsibility.
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4. Guarding Chastity
وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ لِفُرُوجِهِمْ حَافِظُونَ
إِلَّا عَلَى أَزْوَاجِهِمْ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُهُمْ
“And those who guard their private parts, except with their spouses…”
(Qur’an 23:5–6)
Islam recognizes human desire but regulates it through lawful marriage, protecting:
•individuals
•families
•society
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5. Respecting Boundaries of Morality
فَمَنِ ابْتَغَى وَرَاءَ ذَٰلِكَ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْعَادُونَ
“Whoever seeks beyond that, then they are the transgressors.”
(Qur’an 23:7)
This verse emphasizes that moral limits exist and violating them harms both the soul and society.
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6. Trustworthiness and Fulfilling Promises
وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ لِأَمَانَاتِهِمْ وَعَهْدِهِمْ رَاعُونَ
“And those who faithfully observe their trusts and their promises.”
(Qur’an 23:8)
This includes:
•honesty in business
•keeping agreements
•fulfilling responsibilities
•protecting what is entrusted to us
Trustworthiness was a defining quality of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, who was known as Al-Amin (the trustworthy) even before prophethood.
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7. Guarding Their Prayers
وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ عَلَى صَلَوَاتِهِمْ يُحَافِظُونَ
“And those who carefully maintain their prayers.”
(Qur’an 23:9)
Notice the structure:
•The description begins with prayer
•And ends with prayer
This shows that salah is the pillar of the believer’s life.
Scholars like Ibn al-Qayyim wrote that prayer is the nourishment of the heart just as food nourishes the body.
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The Final Reward
After listing these qualities, Allah concludes with the promise:
أُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْوَارِثُونَ
الَّذِينَ يَرِثُونَ الْفِرْدَوْسَ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ
“Those are the inheritors who will inherit Al-Firdaws, where they will remain forever.”
(Qur’an 23:10–11)
Al-Firdaws is the highest level of Paradise.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“When you ask Allah for Paradise, ask Him for Al-Firdaws.”
— Sahih al-Bukhari
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Summary of the Seven Qualities
From Surah Al-Mu’minun, believers are those who:
1.Have humility in prayer
2.Avoid useless speech
3.Give charity
4.Guard their chastity
5.Respect moral boundaries
6.Fulfill trusts and promises
7.Preserve their prayers
These qualities produce balanced believers who are spiritually conscious, morally disciplined, and socially responsible.