We are having seminars, conventions and conferences for positive change in the society, but we do not get any results, except the empty words and passionate speeches. The change always starts from our own selves, from inside. To improve the society, an individual should improve himself.
“Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.” (Qur’an, 13: 11)
An important task of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was to enlighten people through purification of their inner-selves and teaching them Allah’s guidance and wisdom.
“Certainly did Allah confer [great] favor upon the believers when He sent among them a Messenger from themselves, reciting to them His verses and purifying them and teaching them the Book and wisdom, although they had been before in manifest error.” (Holy Qur’an, 3: 164)
The framework comprised of five dimensions for producing a balanced and flexible, comprehensive, personal development program:
1. Basic Islamic development (faith, morals, basic practices, knowledge and character development).
2. Spiritual development (inner change and purification).
3. Human resource development (producing competitive competence developing skills and specialization and gaining a deep understanding of society and its functioning).
4. Social development (development of strong inter-personal relations and social skills).
5. Organizational training which includes self-discipline, accountability, adherence to organizational procedures, shura skills (effective meeting skills), strengthening of the brotherhood and sisterhood.
The scope and objective of personal development
1. Producing inner change: this includes the cultivation of Islamic faith, values and morals, better attitudes and an upright character, purification of the soul from greed, hatred, envy and other negative emotions, sincere intention, spirit of sacrifice and brotherhood and sisterhood.
2. Clarification of the Islamic vision and developing a sense of mission.
3. Developing knowledge and understanding of Islam, society and the physical environment.
4. Developing social and practical skills, experience and wisdom.
5. Developing leadership skills and competencies
In the light of the above, the objective of personal development becomes clear; it is to nurture and produce the following inner and outer qualities and characteristics that arise from a Muslim’s faith and values (these elucidated by the Qur’an in numerous places):
• Muslim, one who submits to Allah alone.
• Mumin, one who has strong faith and conviction in Allah.
• Mutaqi, one who loves and fears God (God-consciousness).
• Mohsin, one who excels in good works and aims for excellence in all actions and deeds.
• Mujahid, one who strives for God’s cause with sincerity and devotion.
• Salih, one who lives a righteous life.
• Saddiq, one who is truthful and honest in all actions and dealing
• Shahid, one who is a witness of Islam.
• Daya, one who invites people to Islam through their words and good action.
Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women, the obedient men and obedient women, the truthful men and truthful women, the patient men and patient women, the humble men and humble women, the charitable men and charitable women, the fasting men and fasting women, the men who guard their private parts and the women who do so, and the men who remember Allah often and the women who do so - for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward. (Holy Qur’an 33: 35)
Allah commands justice, the doing of good, and liberality to kith and kin, and He forbids all shameful deeds, and injustice and rebellion: He instructs you, that ye may receive admonition. (Holy Qur’an 16:90).
Thus personal development from an Islamic perspective is broad and balanced and incorporates the enhancement of human qualities and potential to the full, for the service of humanity. Its objective is to facilitate people in becoming effective and exemplary witnesses of Islam in society.
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