Quran Academy

The Quran tells us the story of Luqman, the man who Allah (ta’ala) Himself refers to as a wise man. Like all the stories of the Quran, the story of Luqman gives some important lessons for us as Muslims. Lessons that will order our path and guide us on the straight path when we hold on to them.

Here, we share some of the lessons to help us all in our journey to become better Muslims.

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Stay Away from Shirk

Of all the sins that Allah (ta’ala) has promised to forgive, shirk is not one of them. Whoever dies associating partners with Allah (ta’ala) will not be granted Jannah, according to the Quran.

So, it is not surprising to see that the first advice from Luqman is about shirk. Because once there is shirk in what a person is doing, then none of their good deeds matter anymore.

And [mention, O Muhammad], when Luqman said to his son while he was instructing him, “O my son, do not associate [anything] with Allah. Indeed, association [with him] is great injustice.” (Quran 31:13)

Shirk is a great injustice towards Allah (ta’ala) as our creator, but it is even more of a greater injustice towards ourselves. Imagine that a person does good deeds all their lives but ruins everything by associating partners with Allah (ta’ala). Certainly, they have wronged their own selves by destroying all the good deeds they strove for.

Worshipping Allah (ta’ala) alone is a sign that a Muslim is sound upon their aqeedah. It is a sign that you recognize Allah (ta’ala) as the only one worthy of being worshipped, as the creator of the Heavens and the Earth, and it also shows that you believe that there is no power greater than His.

Stay Away from Wrongdoing

“[And Luqman said], “O my son, indeed if wrong should be the weight of a mustard seed and should be within a rock or [anywhere] in the heavens or in the earth, Allah will bring it forth. Indeed, Allah is Subtle and Acquainted.” (Quran 31:16)

You may do something to your parents, friend or sibling and hope that they never find out. But with Allah (ta’ala), not a leaf falls in the Heavens and the Earth but He is aware of it. There is no wrongdoing that a person commits in this world, but that Allah (ta’ala) is aware of it and it has been recorded.

Luqman advises his son to stay away from wrongdoing, reminding him that Allah (ta’ala) is aware. This should be a constant reminder for all of us too and be a motivation for us to stay away from things that Allah (ta’ala) has asked us to stay away from. We should always remember that on the Day of Judgment, even the tiniest action that we thought inconsequential will be brought forward from our book of deeds.

Salah, Patience, and Goodness

One of the things that distinguishes a Muslim from a non-Muslim is Salah. On the Day of Judgment, Salah will be the first of our deeds that will be examined, and whoever is found to have that will be considered victorious.

In his advice to his son, Luqman the wise reminds him of the importance of performing Salah.

“O my son, establish prayer, enjoin what is right, forbid what is wrong, and be patient over what befalls you. Indeed, [all] that is of the matters [requiring] determination.” (Quran 31:17)

And beyond salah, he reminds his son to be patient and stay upon goodness. A Muslim is a person who preaches good and forbids what is wrong. We are people who stay away from oppressing other people, and we speak up for the oppressed.

We are people who give charity, who spread the salaam, who say kind words and encourage our brothers and sisters towards goodness. We Muslims should be people who leave that which is forbidden in Islam, who stay away from hate speech, bullying, improper conduct, envy, slander, and negativity.

We should also be people of patience, as Luqman advises his son. We are people who whenever a calamity befalls us, instead of cursing our luck or blaming someone, we say “Inna lillahi wa inna illahi raajiun”. We should be people that in bad times, we hold on to the rope of Allah (ta’ala), we seek comfort in the words of the Quran and we weather our storms patiently, knowing that we will be rewarded with goodness by Allah (ta’ala).

Do Not Be Arrogant

“And do not turn your cheek [in contempt] toward people and do not walk through the earth exultantly. Indeed, Allah does not like everyone self-deluded and boastful.” (Quran 31:18)

Luqman advises his son against being arrogant towards people and displaying a proud attitude. This is an important lesson for all of us. Arrogance or pride are distasteful attributes for any Muslim. In several occasions, the Quran and Hadith mention the evil of being arrogant or proud.

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Man continues to display haughtiness and arrogance until he is recorded among the arrogant and will be therefore afflicted with what afflicts them.” (Riyad us-Saliheen)

In another narration, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said that anyone with an ounce of pride will not enter Jannah. (Tirmidhi)

Humility is the cloak of a believer, and every one of us should be conscious of the contents of our heart, to prevent the type of self-confidence that leads to arrogance in a person.

Moderation in Speech

“And be moderate in your pace and lower your voice; indeed, the most disagreeable of sounds is the voice of donkeys.” (Quran 31:19)

Here is something interesting that many people sometimes fail to concentrate on. Our manners are a reflection of who we are. Think of someone loud and uncouth that you have come across, and think of how they made you feel. Many times, the energy from these type of people may rub us the wrong way.

It could be that they are too loud and they are embarrassing you with what they are saying, or that there is nothing that cannot come out from their mouths. You know, the ‘Too-Much-Info’ type of people.

Yes, Muslims should have fun, speak up and be bold in their speech, but this is not the same as being unnecessarily loud or careless with your words. The former earns you admiration from people, while the latter makes you that person everyone avoids.

The words of the Quran are a guidance for mankind, and in the story of the advice that Luqman gave his son, we see lessons of Aqeedah, Faith, and Akhlaaq (good manners) that every Muslim should strive to imbibe into their own lives.

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