Spiritual Upliftment in Islam Through the Sayings of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH

Spiritual upliftment in Islam means raising the condition of one’s heart through sincerity, trust in Allah, and actions that draw a person closer to Him. 

It is not something loud or dramatic. It often starts in quiet moments, a short dua, an honest prayer, or a choice to hold back anger. These are the steps that build strength inside.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) did not only guide through commands. He taught through mercy, through words that people still carry centuries later. 

His sayings are clear, direct, and full of meaning. For the one who feels lost, tired, or uncertain, his advice remains steady.

This article highlights a few of the Prophet’s (PBUH) sayings, not just to reflect on, but to use in daily life. 

2. Foundations of Spiritual Growth in Islam

2.1 Belief as a Starting Point

Spiritual upliftment begins with belief. When a person knows that only Allah controls what happens, things start to look different. They rely less on what people think. Their focus shifts to something higher. That belief brings calm and direction.

2.2 The Weight of Intentions

After belief, Intentions matter. A deed may seem small, but it holds weight when the reason behind it is right. Helping someone quietly. Saying what’s fair. Looking away from something wrong. These things count when done with sincerity.

2.3 Living With Taqwa

Then comes Taqwa. Being aware that Allah sees everything shapes how a person speaks and acts. It helps them stop before crossing a line. You can see it in how someone behaves when there’s no one around to praise them.

All these things combine and create a foundation for your spiritual upliftment. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) lived this way. His life was not loud or showy. He lived with purpose, clarity, and fairness. His example remains the clearest guide.

If you want to learn more about spiritual growth and how to develop it within yourself, refer to this book: 7 Steps to Spiritual Intelligence. It’s a helpful guide that supports self-improvement without relying on external help.

3. Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Advice for Everyday Life (With a Smile)

Spiritual upliftment in Islam isn’t always about doing more. Sometimes it’s about pausing. Saying less. Letting something go. It starts with trust in Allah, and shows in small, steady ways, a quiet dua, biting your tongue, doing the right thing when no one’s clapping for it.

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) didn’t speak in long speeches. His words were simple, but they stuck. Even now, they still speak clearly even when life gets noisy.

Here’s how some of his most powerful sayings still help today:

3.1 Scrolling Without Stress

Modern Problem: You open your phone. That cousin again posted stuff that gets everyone worked up.

Hadith: “The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer.” (Muslim)

What Helps: This hadith helps you to let it slide. Not everything deserves your reply. The strong believer isn’t just someone who lifts weights, they know when to scroll past and protect their heart.

3.2 Staying Calm Behind the Wheel

Modern Problem: Someone swerves in without a signal. Your hand’s on the horn, ready for battle.

Hadith: “Kindness is a mark of faith, and whoever is not kind has no faith.” (Muslim)

What Helps: Breathe. You’re not in a race. You’re not filming Fast & Furious. Let it go. Kindness counts more than that three-second “win.”

3.3 When Everyone’s Life Looks Better

Modern Problem: You’re eating leftovers. Meanwhile, your friend just posted beach photos from Greece again.

Hadith: “Beware of envy, for it consumes good deeds as fire consumes wood.” (Abu Dawud)

What Helps: This hadith helps you to be happy for your friend. Social media never tells the full story. Their trip probably involved delayed flights and overpriced coffee. Your own life has its own good. Don’t trade peace for pictures.

If you want to further understand and remember different hadiths, try the Hadith Challenge game. It’s a fun and engaging way to test your knowledge, strengthen your memory, and spend time meaningfully with family or friends.

4. Finding Strength in the Words of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

The Prophet (PBUH) didn’t speak to impress. He spoke so people could understand. What he said back then still works today not because the world hasn’t changed, but because people’s hearts still struggle with the same things.

4.1 Notice What You Already Have

Most of us compare up. We see what others drive, wear, earn and feel like we’re behind. But the Prophet (PBUH) flipped that thinking by saying:

“Look at those who are beneath you in worldly matters, not those above you. This keeps you from undervaluing Allah’s blessings.” (Muslim)

It doesn’t mean stop trying. It just means pause. You may already have what someone else is praying for.

4.2 Patience Isn’t Staying Silent

Life throws things. Delays, loss, unfair treatment. Sometimes it all comes at once. The Prophet (PBUH) didn’t promise ease. But he did promise meaning.

“The believer’s affair is amazing. All of it is good. If he gets something good, he’s thankful. If he’s tested, he’s patient. And that’s also good.” (Muslim)

It’s not about being okay with the hardship. It’s about not letting it undo you.

4.3 Be Kind Even When No One’s Watching

It’s easy to speak gently when people are kind. It’s harder when they’re not. But the Prophet (PBUH) set the bar high.

“Whoever doesn’t show mercy will not be shown mercy.” (Bukhari & Muslim)

Kindness isn’t soft. It’s discipline. Especially when your ego wants to fire back.

4.4 One Small Thing You Learn Can Change Everything

You don’t need a full course. Even one good sentence can stay in your head for years. Keep learning bit by bit.

“Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.” (Ibn Majah)

If you want to study properly, check out [Studio Arabiya] or [Madinah Media]. They teach what matters, without the fluff.

4.5 Keep Remembering the One Who Sees Everything

Days blur. Thoughts jump. But a moment of dhikr resets things. It really does.

“Shall I not tell you what is the best of your deeds… the remembrance of Allah.” (Tirmidhi)

You don’t need a special time. Just say it when you can. Quietly. Sincerely,

If you want to overcome worldly distractions and achieve calmness and tranquility in life, read this great book: The Path to Self-Fulfilment. It is a guide to self-realization, supported by Hadith and Qur'anic injunctions.

5. What the Prophet (PBUH) Taught About Building Better Habits

Not everything has to change overnight. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) taught that small steps, done honestly, have lasting effects. His habits weren’t loud or dramatic, they were steady. Quiet. And deeply effective.

5.1 A Few Things You Can Start Today

Look back before bed

Some nights go well. Some don’t. Either way, take a moment before sleeping. Ask yourself, Did I speak fairly? Did I avoid what’s wrong, even when no one was watching?

Even a quick pause can bring things back into focus.

Say Salam first

The Prophet (PBUH) encouraged believers to greet each other before anything else. It's not just polite,  it plants peace where there might have been tension. And it makes people feel seen.

Keep a soft face

He smiled often even during tense moments. A smile doesn’t mean everything’s fine. It means you’re choosing calm over anger. It takes strength.

Say short dhikr when you’re in between things

Waiting in line? Doing dishes? Whisper SubhanAllah or Alhamdulillah. It might not seem like much, but these quiet words settle the heart.

Something to Keep You Going

If you need help staying consistent, Madinah Mart has planners, reminder cards, and small tools that make these habits easier to remember.

If you want to know which habits are harmful to both you and society, read this book: Forty Hadiths on Poisonous Social Habits. It helps you refrain from destructive behaviors like backbiting, envy, arrogance, and gossip by highlighting the Prophet’s (PBUH) guidance on each.

Quotes from the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) for Everyday Struggles

What You're Feeling	What the Prophet (PBUH) Said	A Real-Life Reminder
You lose your temper easily	“The strong one isn’t the one who beats others. It’s the one who controls himself when angry.” (Bukhari)	Strength isn’t about volume. It’s about staying calm when it’s hardest. Try pausing. Let it pass.
You’re fighting bad habits	“The greatest struggle is with your own soul.”	Fixing your own flaws is harder than pointing out others’. Start there. One step at a time.
Life feels too hard right now	“Victory comes with patience. Relief comes with trouble. Ease comes after hardship.” (Tirmidhi)	It won’t stay like this. Give it time. Even your worst days are seen.
You compare yourself to others	“True wealth isn’t having a lot. It’s being content.” (Bukhari)	Not everything good is posted online. What you have might be enough if you look closely.
You want to snap at someone	“Say what’s true when you speak.”	Hold back. Say what’s fair. Don’t say it just to win. Truth lasts. Noise doesn’t.
You see something unfair	“Keep your hands away from injustice.”	Don’t wait for a stage or crowd. Even quiet support counts.
Someone around you is sick or struggling	“Feed the hungry. Visit the sick.”	Show up. Call. Send food. It doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be sincere.
You don’t feel like being nice	“Kindness shows faith. No kindness means no faith.”	Smile. Be gentle. Even if no one notices, Allah does.

If you want to learn more hadiths, understand the life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in detail, and apply his example to your own life, check out this Seerah course. This course walks you through his journey, from early revelations to key moments of leadership, with practical lessons you can live by today.

7. A Guide Still Worth Holding Onto

The words of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) were never long or confusing. They were direct, full of meaning, and meant to help real people with real struggles.

From staying patient in hard times, to holding your tongue when angry, to being kind when it’s easier not to, his teachings are not locked in the past. They’re still the most honest guide for a clear heart and a steady mind.

Try holding on to just one teaching this week. Say “Bismillah” before meals. Smile more. Let go of envy. Small steps lead somewhere better.