The Holy Quran establishes a profound parallel between the physical creation of man and his spiritual development, each unfolding through distinct stages that mirror one another in their progression toward excellence. Just as Allah describes the embryonic development from a drop of sperm to a clot, then to a shapeless lump, then to bones clothed with flesh, culminating in “another creation” Thumma ansha’nāhu khalqan ākhar (23:13-15), so too does the believer pass through sequential stages of moral and spiritual refinement. Allah says in 35:33 Fatir
“Then We gave the Book for an inheritance to those of Our servants whom We chose. And of them are some who are breaking down their own selves by suppressing their desires, and of them are some who keep to the right course, and of them are some who excel others in acts of goodness (Sābiqun bil-khayrāt) by Allah’s leave. And that indeed is the great distinction.”
representing three distinct stages of spiritual attainment. These stages are not arbitrary but represent the divine architecture of human transformation, anchored in the very nature of our creation from a single soul (4:2).
The believers described in Surah Al-Baqarah manifest four foundational attributes:
- faith in the unseen,
- establishment of salat,
- spending from what Allah has provided,
- and belief in all revelation past and future (2:4-5).
These qualities form the bedrock upon which higher spiritual states are constructed. The verse defining righteousness (2:178) expands this framework to encompass belief in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the Prophets, alongside spending wealth on kindred, orphans, the needy, wayfarers, those who ask, and for freeing captives, while observing prayer, paying zakat, fulfilling promises, and remaining steadfast in adversity and battle.
The Holy Prophet(sa) said:
“I was only sent to perfect good character,”
emphasizing that spiritual development culminates in moral excellence. Another narration states that
“to Allah, the young believer is better than the old one,”
signifying that dynamic stability, continual growth and renewal of faith, hold greater value than mere passage of time.
When believers advance to the stage described in Surah At-Taubah, they embody eight qualities: repentance, worship, praise, journeying in service of Allah, bowing, prostration, enjoining good, forbidding evil, and guarding the limits set by Allah (9:112).
These noble qualities follow a deliberate order of spiritual merit. Taubah, the first stage, represents repentance from sin; Ibadat signifies resignation to divine will; Hamd means glorifying God even in adversity; Sahi denotes forsaking home for Allah’s sake; Rakayoon symbolizes serving God with soul and body; Sajedoon represents the highest nearness to God when one mixes with the dust in prostration. At this stage of prostration, the Prophet(sa), taught that a believer reaches extreme nearness to the Divine: It is in this sacred space and time that Providence meets servitude The seventh stage involves becoming Allah’s preacher, enjoining good and forbidding evil, while the eighth and final stage elevates the believer to the station of Khalifah, guardian of God’s law. The expression Hafezoona Layhadoodilla hay may also mean, those who strictly observe the ordinances of God.
The spiritual journey reaches its fullest expression in Surah Al-Muminun, where qualities define those destined to inherit Paradise: humility in prayer, shunning vanity, paying zakat, guarding chastity except with spouses or those their right hands possess, honoring trusts and covenants, and strict observance of prayers (23:2-11). These heirs of Paradise will abide therein eternally (23:12), having traversed seven spiritual stages that correspond to the seven stages of physical development. Similarly, Surah Al-Ahzab (33:36) presents comprehensive characteristics applicable to both men and women: submission, belief, obedience, truthfulness, steadfastness, humility, charity, fasting, guarding chastity, and constant remembrance of Allah, for whom divine forgiveness and great reward await.
Hazrat Umar(ra) would supplicate:
“O Allah, show me the truth as it is and give me the strength to follow it, and show me falsity as it is and protect me from it,”
Allahumma arinal-haqqa haqqan warzuqnat-tiba’ah, wa arinal-batila batilan warzuqnaj-tinabah, prayer that enables believers to develop abilities to discern truth from falsehood. This prayer is particularly relevant in today’s world where truth and falsehood can become confused through manipulation and deception.
The Promised Messiah(as) said
“Simply making a verbal proclamation to have pledged allegiance to me is of no value. Rather, one ought to make an effort and supplicate to God Almighty so that He may count you among the truthful.”
In today’s world, where distractions multiply and spiritual erosion threatens the soul, maintaining stability requires deliberate cultivation of these Quranic qualities through daily practice. Establishing regular prayer serves as the anchor that grounds consciousness in divine remembrance, transforming salat from mere physical movement into complete submission to Allah’s will. Salat functions as the spiritual technology meticulously designed to rewire our consciousness until living in Allah’s presence becomes our default state, our natural rhythm.
Giving charity despite loving wealth purifies the heart from attachment to material possessions, as the Prophet(sa) taught that the best charity is given while one is healthy and thrifty. Seeking refuge in Allah from undesirable manners, deeds, and aspirations through the supplication “Allahumma inni a’uzu-bika min munkaratil-akhlaq, wal-a’mal, wal-ahwa’” protects the believer from spiritual decline. Adopting the prophetic character of tolerance, compassion, humility, justice, and wisdom insulates against the corrosive influences of contemporary society. The believer must engage in constant introspection, reversing wrong conditioning and awakening consciousness to accept truth, thereby developing into a “soul at peace” that aligns with Allah’s creation plan (89:28).
Just as physical development unfolds stage by stage, spiritual growth demands patience, persistence, and recognition that each quality builds upon its predecessor, ultimately transforming the believer into one who has fulfilled the trust of existence and earned eternal felicity and Al-Fawz al-Azeem. (9:72 9:89)