What is Mujāhadah?
The Arabic word Mujāhadah (المجاهدة) comes from the root ج هـ د (jahada) which means to exert effort, struggle, and strive.
In the Islamic sense, Mujāhadah is:
"The striving of a servant against his own desires, weaknesses, sins, laziness, heedlessness, and distractions in order to obey Allah and seek His pleasure."
It is not a struggle against others. Rather, it is often a struggle against one's own nafs.
Allah says:
وَالَّذِينَ جَاهَدُوا فِينَا لَنَهْدِيَنَّهُمْ سُبُلَنَا ۚ وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَمَعَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ
Wa alladhīna jāhadū fīnā lanahdiyannahum subulanā wa inna Allāha lama‘a al-muḥsinīn
"And those who strive for Our sake, We will surely guide them to Our ways. And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good." (Qur'an 29:69)
Notice that Allah mentions guidance after striving. We often wait for motivation before acting, but Allah teaches us that guidance comes through effort.
What Is the Reward of Striving to Become Someone Allah Is Pleased With?
The reward is not merely becoming a better person. The reward is gaining the pleasure of Allah, His closeness, His assistance, and ultimately Paradise.
Allah says:
وَأَمَّا مَنْ خَافَ مَقَامَ رَبِّهِ وَنَهَى النَّفْسَ عَنِ الْهَوَىٰ فَإِنَّ الْجَنَّةَ هِيَ الْمَأْوَىٰ
Wa ammā man khāfa maqāma rabbihi wa nahā an-nafsa ‘ani al-hawā. Fa inna al-jannata hiya al-ma'wā.
"But as for he who feared standing before his Lord and restrained himself from desires, then indeed Paradise will be his abode." (Qur'an 79:40-41)
Allah also says:
قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَن زَكَّاهَا وَقَدْ خَابَ مَن دَسَّاهَا
Qad aflaḥa man zakkāhā. Wa qad khāba man dassāhā.
"Successful indeed is the one who purifies it (the soul), and ruined indeed is the one who corrupts it."
(Qur'an 91:9-10)
Every small act of striving is seen by Allah. Every temptation resisted, every prayer prayed despite tiredness, every tear shed in repentance, every effort to improve one's character is recorded.
How Do We Change?
Change begins by strengthening our relationship with Allah through the foundations of the religion.
1. Performing the Daily Obligations
Nothing brings a servant closer to Allah more than the obligations He has prescribed.
The Prophet ﷺ narrated from Allah:
"My servant does not draw near to Me with anything more beloved to Me than what I have made obligatory upon him." (Sahih al-Bukhari, 6502)
Before seeking extra acts of worship, we should first ask:
Are my five prayers established?
Do I guard my modesty?
Do I fulfil the rights of others?
Do I avoid what Allah has prohibited?
The foundation must be strengthened before adding more.
2. Seeking to Establish the Daily Sunnahs
After the obligations come the voluntary acts.
The same hadith continues: "And My servant continues to draw near to Me through voluntary acts until I love him." (Sahih al-Bukhari, 6502)
Examples include:
Sunnah prayers before and after the obligatory prayers
Witr prayer
Duha prayer
Regular adhkar
Voluntary fasting
Small, regular Sunnahs transform the heart over time.
3. Be Mindful of the Prophetic Times for Dua and Dhikr
A. Early Morning
Allah says:
وَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ بِالْغُدُوِّ وَالْآصَالِ
Wa sabbiḥ biḥamdi rabbika bil-ghuduwwi wal-āṣāl
"And glorify the praises of your Lord in the mornings and evenings." (Qur'an 40:55)
The morning adhkar create spiritual protection and set the tone for the day.
B. Evening
The Prophet ﷺ consistently maintained the evening adhkar.
The beginning and end of the day are moments of transition and reflection, making them ideal times for remembrance.
C. The Depths of the Night
Allah says:
وَبِالْأَسْحَارِ هُمْ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ
Wa bil-asḥāri hum yastaghfirūn
"And in the hours before dawn they would seek forgiveness." (Qur'an 51:18)
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Our Lord descends every night to the lowest heaven when the last third of the night remains and says: Who is calling upon Me that I may answer him? Who is asking of Me that I may give him? Who is seeking My forgiveness that I may forgive him?" (Sahih al-Bukhari, 1145; Sahih Muslim, 758)
Even a few minutes before Fajr can transform a person's spiritual life.
The Prophetic Routines That Nurture Change
1. Quran with Reflection
Allah says:
أَفَلَا يَتَدَبَّرُونَ الْقُرْآنَ
Afalā yatadabbarūna al-Qur'ān
"Do they not then reflect upon the Qur'an?" (Qur'an 4:82)
The goal is not merely recitation but reflection.
Ask:
What does Allah want me to learn?
What does this verse reveal about Him?
How should I change because of this verse?
2. Remembrance with Reflection
Allah says:
الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُم بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ ۗ أَلَا بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوبُ
Alladhīna āmanū wa taṭma'innu qulūbuhum bidhikri Allāh. Alā bidhikri Allāhi taṭma'innu al-qulūb.
"Those who believe and whose hearts find tranquility in the remembrance of Allah. Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find tranquility." (Qur'an 13:28)
Reflect on the meanings of the adhkar rather than merely repeating them.
3. Heartfelt Supplication with Need
The Prophet ﷺ frequently made dua for guidance and steadfastness.
One of his famous supplications was:
يَا مُقَلِّبَ الْقُلُوبِ ثَبِّتْ قَلْبِي عَلَى دِينِكَ
Yā Muqallibal-qulūb, thabbit qalbī 'alā dīnik
"O Turner of the hearts, make my heart firm upon Your religion." (Jami' at-Tirmidhi, 2140)
Real change begins when we acknowledge our need for Allah's help.
Specific Areas of Striving
1. Seek Knowledge
The first revelation began with: اقْرَأْ Iqra' "Read." (Qur'an 96:1)
Knowledge illuminates the path. Without knowledge, sincerity can be misdirected.
2. Identify Your Blameworthy Traits
Ask yourself:
What recurring sin do I struggle with?
What complaint do others consistently make about me?
What traits distance me from Allah?
Examples may include:
Pride
Anger
Envy
Laziness
Love of praise
Excessive attachment to worldly matters
A disease cannot be treated until it is diagnosed.
3. Decide What You Want to Change
Choose one trait. Not ten. Not five. One.
Ask:
What would I like to become instead?
What action would support that change?
What habit feeds this problem?
What habit weakens it?
Focus creates momentum.
Change Slowly but Consistently
Many people fail because they try to transform their lives overnight.
The Sunnah teaches gradual and consistent growth.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
أَحَبُّ الْأَعْمَالِ إِلَى اللَّهِ أَدْوَمُهَا وَإِنْ قَلَّ
Aḥabbul-a‘māli ilā Allāhi adwamuhā wa in qalla
"The most beloved deeds to Allah are those that are consistent, even if they are small."
(Sahih al-Bukhari, 6464; Sahih Muslim, 783)
A Practical Method
Week 1
Choose one practice. For example:
One page of Quran daily.
Morning adhkar.
Two rak'ahs before Fajr.
Nothing more.
Week 2
Continue the first habit. Add one new small practice.
Week 3
Keep both. Add another small practice.
Week 4
Review what is sticking and what is not. Adjust.Do not measure success by intensity.
Measure success by consistency. The goal is not a spiritual sprint. The goal is to build a life that steadily moves toward Allah.
May Allah make us among those who strive for His sake, purify our souls, guide our hearts, and grant us steadfastness until we meet Him. Āmīn.
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