Everyone wants to be the better version of themselves every other day. One of the most effective way to do so is by changing many undesired habits to the good ones. Speaking of which, it’s very difficult to be done. Changing habits can be challenging, so that everyone who makes it would truly be better.
Is there any useful tips to change undesired habits in Islam? Sure it is.
Islam is a holistic religion that provides way of life for every believers. And anyone who wants to change their undesired habits may follow the things below:
- Change Slowly
If you want the change to last long, you have do it slowly. The faster change happens, the faster it also disappear. Don’t be focused on changing your habits, focus on changing your mindset instead. Don’t be rushing in changing all of your habits, break it down to a series of new habits instead. Also read Importance of Good Character in Islam
- Identify the Cause of the Bad Habits
There must be something that makes you keeping the bad habits all these time. It’s important for you to know the cause and triggers so that you won’t be trapped in an endless cycle. By avoiding or erasing all those triggers, it will be easier to change the habits.
- Remove All the Triggers
As said above, after identifying what makes you keep those bad habits you have to remove all of it. It’s one of the most important key to change for the better. For example, a heavy smoker has to avoid cigarettes so that he doesn’t want to smoke. The smaller the triggers are, the bigger the chance to stay away from it. Also read How to Develop Self Control in Islam
- Create a Substitution
When you are removing some old habits of yours, don’t let it just gone. Substitute it with something better. If you used to like listening to the music all the time, replace music with Quran recitation, Islamic lecture, or relaxing nature sounds. If you like to watch pornography, change it with something that keep you busy like exercising or learning for new things. Don’t let yourself lose something, replace it with new things instead.
- Set the Goals
Another useful tips to change undesired habits in Islam is by setting goals you want to achieve over time. As it’s something that can’t be done overnight, you can reach it slowly and step by step by using the goals as your framework. Don’t think to achieve the change in one go. Also read How to Make Life Better in Islam
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- Get Back Every Time You Slip
No human was born perfect. In fact, they make mistakes in everything we do. It also happens when we are striving to change all the undesired habits in your life. You might fall into the old habits again and not realizing it fast enough until it’s too late. However, you must know that you could also go back to the right track. Don’t give up so easily.
- Make Dua to Allah SWT
“Verily, the hearts of all the sons of Adam are between the two fingers out of the fingers of the Compassionate Lord as one heart. He turns that to any (direction) He likes. Then Allahs Messenger (SAW) said: O Allah, the Turner of the hearts, turn our hearts to Thine obedience.” (Muslim)
The biggest help is only from Allah SWT, so make dua continuously so that Allah will help you in changing your habits. Remember to persevere and be patient when Allah SWT doesn’t give answer your dua quickly. Also read Reasons Your Duas Are not Answered
- Strengthen the Relationship with Allah SWT
All the goodness in life comes along when you’re close to Allah SWT. Avoid all the worldly things that could affect you negatively. Be humble before Allah SWT, repent your sins, and ask for guidance from Allah SWT.
‘And when those come to you who believe in Our verses, say, “Peace be upon you. Your Lord has decreed upon Himself mercy: that any of you who does wrong out of ignorance and then repents after that and corrects himself – indeed, He is Forgiving and Merciful.”’ (Qur’an, 6: 54)
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- Be Prepared to Struggle
Nothing good comes easy. If you really want to change all of your undesired habits, be prepared for a rough journey ahead. When you are trying to be someone better, Allah SWT will test you to measure your intention and sincerity. Overcome all the bad habits one and for good. Also read How to Become Successful in Life in Islam
- Make Friends with Good People
Don’t take companions as a small matters. Who your friends are define what kind of a person you want to be. Surround yourself with good companions who always want to help you to be a better person. All of those people influence yourself positively and while looking at them, you can be motivated to be better person.
- Think Differently of Yourself
Changing your mindset is more than anything before changing your habits. Be sure of yourself that you can be better and you’re someone different than other people’s thought. In case you think yourself in a negative way, change it before you change yourself.
- Remember the Death
Death is the final destination for every human and nobody knows when they will die. By keeping this in mind, you can be assured to walk on the right path only, remembering that death may occur anytime and anywhere, without signs.
“Remember often the terminator (or destroyer) of all the pleasures [i.e. death].” (Tirmidhi)
So those are all the useful tips to change undesired habits in Islam you could follow. Even the path you walk is not easy, remember that you’re towards good things and about to be a better person.