naturally improves their character and conduct, and begins to free himself from sins. The importance of reflecting upon your actions can be understood from the fact that the Quran and Hadith encourage it.

Accordingly, Allah Almighty states in Part 28, Surah al-Ḥashr, verse 18:

یٰۤاَیُّهَا الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ وَ لْتَنْظُرْ نَفْسٌ مَّا قَدَّمَتْ لِغَدٍۚ

O you who believe! Fear Allah! Every soul must look at what it has sent forth for tomorrow.In this blessed verse, it is commanded:^[1]

Take account of yourselves before you are taken to account, and contemplate on how much provision of good deeds you have gathered to present in the court of Allah Almighty on the Day of Judgement.^[2]

It is stated in Tafsīr Ṣirāt al-Jinān:

From this verse, it is understood that spending a single moment in reflection is better than performing a lot of dhikr. Reflecting upon your deeds is a highly virtuous act; this, in fact, is murāqabah.^[3]

Even in blessed Aḥādīth, the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم repeatedly encouraged self-accountability. Let us listen to some blessed sayings of the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم regarding this.

Prophetic sayings regarding reflection

He صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said: “When you intend to do something, reflect upon its outcome. If it is good, then go ahead with it; and if its result is bad, refrain from it.”^[4]