40 questions for Islamic self-reflection

Faith & Worship

Fear of Allah, Prayer, Repentance, Gratitude, Knowledge

Question 01

When I make decisions, I keep in mind that Allah sees me and I will be accountable to Him.

Source: Qurʾān 4:1 + Qurʾān 99:7–8

… Surely Allah is ever Watchful over you. … (4:1) So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it. (99:7) And whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it. (99:8)

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Explanation

Qurʾān 4:1 reminds us that Allah watches over us. Qurʾān 99:7–8 makes clear that even the smallest good and bad deeds will be seen. This reflection asks whether that awareness actually shapes our decisions.

Question 02

I regularly take time for my faith and to strengthen it.

Source: Qurʾān 59:19

And do not be like those who forgot Allah, so He made them forget themselves. It is they who are ˹truly˺ rebellious. (59:19)

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Explanation

The verse warns against forgetting Allah. For one's own Muḥāsabah, this means honestly examining what space faith is actually given in everyday life.

Question 03

I consciously pay attention to whether what I consume is permitted and good.

Source: Qurʾān 2:172

… O believers! Eat from the good things We have provided for you. … (2:172)

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Explanation

The verse focuses attention on the good things that Allah provides. The question specifically transfers this to the conscious examination of what we consume.

Question 04

I perform my prayers regularly and pay attention to their prayer times.

Source: Qurʾān 4:103

… Indeed, performing prayers is a duty on the believers at the appointed times. … (4:103)

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Explanation

The verse explicitly links prayer to set times. Muḥāsabah not only means checking whether one is praying, but also what importance the prayer times have in the daily routine.

Question 05

I ask Allah for forgiveness when I become aware of mistakes or sins.

Source: Qurʾān 24:31

… Turn to Allah in repentance all together, O believers, so that you may be successful. … (24:31)

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Explanation

Recognizing mistakes is not the end of Muḥāsabah. The verse calls believers to turn to Allah in repentance.

Question 06

I handle oaths consciously and avoid swearing by Allah unnecessarily.

Source: Qurʾān 5:89

… Allah will not call you to account for your thoughtless oaths, but He will hold you accountable for deliberate oaths. … (5:89)

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Explanation

The verse distinguishes between thoughtless and consciously made oaths. An oath should therefore not be used casually or just to reinforce one's own words.

Question 07

I make sure to be honest with others rather than pretending to have beliefs that I don't share.

Source: Qurʾān 2:8–9

And there are some who say, “We believe in Allah and the Last Day,” yet they are not ˹true˺ believers. (2:8) They seek to deceive Allah and the believers, yet they only deceive themselves, but they fail to perceive it. (2:9)

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Explanation

In their specific context, these verses describe people whose claims of faith contradict their inner state. The reflection is a narrower personal application: do we pretend to others to hold beliefs we do not actually share?

Question 08

I only speak confidently about Islamic topics if I have sufficient knowledge to do so.

Source: Qurʾān 7:33

… and attributing to Allah what you do not know. … (7:33)

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Explanation

The verse specifically warns against speaking about Allah without knowledge. Anyone who is uncertain should identify uncertainty as such instead of passing on assumptions as confirmed Islamic statements.

Question 09

I make sure to avoid interest when making financial decisions.

Source: Qurʾān 2:275

… But Allah has permitted trading and forbidden interest. … (2:275)

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Explanation

The prohibition of Ribā is explicitly stated in the Qurʾān. The Muḥāsabah question is therefore aimed at consciously examining one's own financial decisions.

Question 10

I am aware of Allah's blessings and express my gratitude for them.

Source: Qurʾān 14:7

… If you are grateful, I will certainly give you more. … (14:7)

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Explanation

Gratitude requires that we consciously perceive gifts at all. Muḥāsabah can therefore ask specifically which everyday gifts have become so commonplace that we hardly notice them anymore.

Question 11

I consciously take time to deepen my Islamic knowledge.

Source: Qurʾān 20:114

… My Lord! Increase me in knowledge. … (20:114)

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Explanation

The Prophet ﷺ is instructed to ask Allah for increase in knowledge. The question examines whether the desire for knowledge also becomes visible in one's own everyday life through conscious learning.

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Our foundations ↗

Qur’an references include chapter and verse. German, English and Turkish passages use documented editions; identified excerpts may contain omissions. The eleven additional language versions pair original Arabic verses with localised explanations. Editorial questions and tips are not verbatim quotations.

Translations and editorial wording are machine-assisted and reviewed. Full independent native-language approval of every version has not been completed. Reports of errors or source concerns are welcome.