30 Ways to Become a Better Muslim Woman
There is no single manual that mothers can hand to their daughters, nor a checklist that guarantees righteousness as a Muslim woman. However, Islam provides us with a divine framework through the Qur’an and Sunnah, offering timeless guidance on how to live as believing women striving for Allah’s pleasure.
A client once asked me if I could outline clear, practical steps to help her become a better Muslim woman. She had recently returned from Umrah, her heart brimming with newfound faith, and she was eager to nurture that spiritual connection in her daily life. Yet, despite her sincere efforts to find relatable guidance, she felt lost—overwhelmed by generic advice and unsure where to begin.
During our session, I worked with her to create a roadmap for personal growth, drawing from Islamic teachings and practical wisdom. It made me realize that many sisters may be searching for the same clarity. That’s why I compiled these 30 ways to help Muslim women grow spiritually, emotionally, and socially in their journey toward Allah.
InshaAllah, I am also working on a book that will delve deeper into these points, offering a comprehensive guide for sisters who seek to strengthen their faith and character. May Allah make it beneficial for all.
Some Ways to Become a Better Muslim Woman
1. Understand Yourself as a Human Being
Allah SWT created each of us uniquely, with strengths and weaknesses. Recognizing your limitations humbles you and helps you rely on Him. Reflect on your personal struggles and blessings, knowing they are tailored by Allah to shape your growth. As Allah says:
"And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me." (Qur’an 51:56)
Self-awareness is a vital step toward spiritual refinement. Regular self-assessment and tawbah (repentance) will keep you on the path of improvement.
2. Understand Yourself as a Woman
Islam elevates women and honors their role in society, whether as daughters, wives, or mothers. Embrace your femininity with dignity and understand the balance between your spiritual and worldly obligations. The Prophet ﷺ said:
"The world is but a provision, and the best provision of the world is a righteous woman." (Sahih Muslim 1467)
Cherish your identity as a Muslim woman, and know that your worth is determined by your taqwa (God-consciousness), not societal standards.
3. Understand Your Purpose in Life
Your ultimate purpose is to worship Allah and seek His pleasure. Every action—whether cooking for your family, working, or even resting—can become an act of worship when done with the right intention. The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Indeed, actions are judged by intentions." (Sahih Bukhari 1)
Set goals that align with this purpose, and strive to leave a lasting, positive impact on those around you.
4. Maintain Your Adab and Etiquette
Good manners define a believer. The Prophet ﷺ was sent to perfect character, and he emphasized adab in all aspects of life. Speak kindly, avoid gossip, and practice humility. The Prophet ﷺ said:
"The most complete believer in faith is the one with the best character." (Sunan At-Tirmidhi 1162)
Adab isn’t just about how you treat others—it’s also about how you carry yourself, online and offline.
5. Implement Good Morals and Manners
Study the life of the Prophet ﷺ, as he was the best example of moral conduct. Show honesty, patience, and forgiveness in your daily interactions. The Qur’an praises him:
"And indeed, you are of a great moral character." (Qur’an 68:4)
Strive to embody his beautiful qualities in your relationships with family, friends, aquaintances, and even strangers.
6. Become Absolutely Grateful
Gratitude brings contentment and invites more blessings. Allah SWT says:
"If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]." (Qur’an 14:7)
Make daily shukr (gratitude) a habit—thank Allah for your health, your home, and the countless unseen blessings He provides in your supplications or as journaling exercises.
7. Become More Charitable
Charity isn’t just about money. Even a smile or a kind word to someone is sadaqah. The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Protect yourself from Hell-fire even by giving a piece of a date as charity." (Sahih Bukhari 1417)
You can also give your time, knowledge, and kindness generously to others, and serving your family is a wonderful charitable act as well.
8. Be Good to People and Support Your Sisters in Islam
Lift up your fellow Muslim women not tear them down. The Prophet ﷺ said:
"None of you will have faith until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself." (Sahih Bukhari 13)
You can offer support, advice, and encouragement to other sisters who are going through tough times. Share beneficial knowledge and resources to help them grow in their faith and roles. When we empower one another, we strengthen the ummah as a whole.
Treat others well, regardless of how they treat you. Allah SWT loves those who are just and forgiving. The Prophet ﷺ said:
"The best among you are those who have the best manners and character." (Sahih Bukhari 3559)
Pray for those who wrong you, and let go of grudges, as it will lighten your heart and relieve your anxiety. And avoid suspicion and backbiting at all costs.
9. Be an Awesome Wife and Accept Your Responsibilities With Grace
Marriage is a blessing but also a test. Be patient, kind, and supportive toward your husband even when he doesn’t deserve it. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The best of you is he who is best to his family, and I am the best among you to my family. When one of you dies speak no ill of him." (Ibn Majah)
Focus on building love and mercy in your home rather than comparing your marriage to others.
10. Be a Great Mother and Fulfill Your Role With Honor
Motherhood is one of the most rewarding yet demanding roles for a woman. The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Paradise lies under the feet of mothers." (Sunan An-Nasa'i 3104)
As a mother, you play a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of the ummah. Educate yourself on wholesome Islamic parenting and lead by example. Instill strong Islamic values in your children and nurture them with love and care.
11. Be a Devoted Daughter, Daughter-in-Law, Sister, and Friend
Islam places great importance on family ties and relationships. The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him maintain the bonds of kinship." (Sahih Bukhari 6138)
Communicate with your parents often, help your siblings, fulfill your obligations to family members and friends with sincerity and kindness. Be supportive, offer advice when needed, and maintain strong ties of kinship and community.
12. Uphold Your Fards Consistently
Your obligatory acts of worship—like salah, fasting in Ramadan, zakat, and Hajj (if financially able)—are the foundation of your relationship with Allah SWT. Without them, your voluntary acts lose their weight. Salah, in particular, is a direct link between you and your Creator. The Prophet ﷺ said:
"The first deed for which a person will be brought to account on the Day of Judgment will be his prayer. If it is sound, he will be successful; if it is deficient, he will be a loser." (Sunan At-Tirmidhi 413)
Prioritize your fard obligations over everything else, ensuring that your connection with Allah SWT remains strong—this is not negotiable or optional.
13. Be Aware of Shaytan’s Waswasa
Shaytan’s whispers (waswasa) can take many forms—self-doubt, feelings of inadequacy, or even pushing you toward religious extremes. He wants you to either abandon worship due to despair or become so rigid that you lose balance and push others away. Allah SWT warns us:
"Indeed, Shaytan is an enemy to you, so take him as an enemy." (Qur’an 35:6)
Seek refuge in Allah SWT when negative thoughts arise, and remember that Islam is a path of balance. The Prophet ﷺ said:
"This religion is easy. No one overburdens himself in religion but that it overcomes him." (Sahih Bukhari 39)
14. Implement Sunnah and Nafl Acts Often
Following the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ brings barakah into your life and strengthens your faith. Small Sunnah acts, like saying Bismillah before eating or entering your home with the right foot, may seem minor but have immense rewards. The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Whoever revives my Sunnah loves me, and whoever loves me will be with me in Paradise." (Sunan At-Tirmidhi 2678)
Additionally, voluntary acts, such as tahajjud, istighara, istighfar, or the sunnah prayers before and after fard salah, elevate your status in the Hereafter.
15. Recite and Connect with the Quran
The Quran is a light in the darkness of life and heals the heart. Reading and understanding it transforms the heart. Allah SWT says:
"Indeed, this Quran guides to that which is most upright and gives good tidings to the believers." (Qur’an 17:9)
Make it a habit to recite even a small portion daily. Reflect on its meanings, memorize what you can, and strive to implement its teachings in your life. At the very least, listen to the Quran recitation—that’s what I do on busy days.
16. Make Dua a Part of Your Daily Life
Dua is one of the most powerful tools a believer has. Allah SWT tells us:
"Call upon Me; I will respond to you." (Qur’an 40:60)
Dua isn’t just for difficult times—it should be a daily practice to ask your Lord for what you want. The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Dua is the essence of worship." (Sunan At-Tirmidhi 3371)
Make sincere duas for yourself, your loved ones, and the ummah. Speak to Allah SWT as your closest friend, because He listens and responds in ways beyond our understanding.
17. Submit Yourself to Allah SWT Fully and Trust Him Only
True submission means trusting Allah’s SWT plan, even when things don’t go as you hoped. Our Lord reminds us:
"But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you, and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah knows, while you know not." (Qur’an 2:216)
Submit wholeheartedly by aligning your desires with His commands, knowing that He always has your best interest at heart and that Allah SWT will never, ever disappoint or betray us.
18. Seek Islamic Knowledge
Islamic knowledge enriches your life and strengthens your faith over worldly education that predominantly is for the duniya. The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim." (Sunan Ibn Majah 224)
Attend classes, read books, and learn from trustworthy scholars. Even learning new skills can be an act of worship when done with the right intention. Focus more on gaining ilm and less on secular education which is not what the Prophet SAW was referring to in the Hadith.
19. Practice Emotional Intelligence and Good Communication
Emotional intelligence helps you navigate relationships and challenges with wisdom. The Prophet ﷺ was the best example of this, always responding with patience and kindness.
"The strong person is not the one who overcomes people by his strength, but the one who controls himself while in anger." (Sahih Bukhari 6114)
Strive to be emotionally aware, control your reactions, and empathize with others. One of the best things I learned was how to communicate more effectively with my husband and how to talk without causing insult to others. As the saying goes, “Honey attracts more flies than vinegar.”
20. Care for Your Physical and Mental Wellbeing
Your body is an amanah (trust) from Allah SWT. Maintain it by eating healthy, staying active, and getting enough rest. The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Your body has a right over you." (Sahih Bukhari 5199)
Physical well-being fixes your mental status and enables you to fulfill your duties more effectively and feel less resentful and overwhelmed.
21. Uphold Justice and Fairness
Islam commands us to stand for justice, even against ourselves. Allah SWT says:
"O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for Allah, witnesses in justice..." (Qur’an 4:135)
Always be truthful, fair, and just in your dealings with others and do not ignore injustices when you see it—Speak up for the oppressed and don’t think it’s not your business when others are being harmed.
22. Avoid Negative Influences in Your Life
Your environment shapes you. The Prophet ﷺ said:
"A person is upon the religion of his close friend, so let one of you look at whom he befriends." (Sunan Abu Dawood 4833)
Surround yourself with people who encourage you to be a better Muslim and avoid environments that will cause you to stray from your deen, put you in uncompromising situations, and are filled with fitna.
23. Contribute to Your Community
Be an active force for good. Whether through charity, volunteering, or mentoring, contribute in ways that benefit the ummah and especially your local community. You don’t need to leave the house and be doing anything hectic, you can do something from your home and online.
"The most beloved people to Allah are those who bring the most benefit to others." (Al-Muʻjam al-Awsaṭ 6192)
24. Practice Financial Responsibility and Budgeting
Wealth is a test. Spend wisely, avoid extravagance, and give generously to charity. The Prophet ﷺ said:
"The upper hand (giver) is better than the lower hand (receiver)." (Sahih Bukhari 1429)
Help your husband by learning how to budget and buy less stuff. Work on becoming more mindful and contented.
25. Stay Hopeful and Patient During Tribulation
Life is filled with challenges, but Allah SWT reminds us:
"Indeed, with hardship comes ease." (Qur’an 94:6)
Trust in His wisdom and remain patient, knowing that every difficulty brings reward, and that falling into despair stems from weak iman.
26. Avoid Wasting Time on Social Media and Showing Off Your Blessings
Social media is a double-edged sword. While it can be used for good—such as spreading beneficial knowledge and staying connected—it can also become a source of distraction, comparison, and even arrogance.
Every moment of our lives is a trust (amanah) from Allah, and we will be questioned about how we spent our time. The Prophet ﷺ said:
"A servant of Allah will remain standing on the Day of Judgment until he is asked about his life and how he spent it, about his knowledge and how he acted upon it, about his wealth and how he acquired it and spent it, and about his body and how he used it." (Tirmidhi 2417)
Mindless scrolling on social media can consume hours of our day without adding any real value and distracts us from our goals and our loved ones. It also encourages us to display our blessings—whether it’s our wealth, beauty, achievements, or lifestyle. Sharing our blessings can lead to pride, comparison, and even harm from the evil eye (ayn). The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Indeed, the evil eye is real. If anything could outdo the decree, it would be the evil eye." (Sahih Muslim 2188)
Islam teaches us to be humble and keep our blessings private unless sharing them serves a greater purpose (such as inspiring others towards good). The Prophet ﷺ advised:
"Seek help in fulfilling your needs by keeping them private, for indeed, everyone who has a blessing is envied." (Tabarani, Al-Mu’jam al-Awsat 889)
27. Be Content, Avoid Boredom, Use Your Time Wisely
Contentment brings inner peace. Rather than always seeking the next thing, appreciate what you have. The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Richness is not having many possessions, but being content with oneself." (Sahih Bukhari 6446)
Many times we are bored and feel empty, so we waste time on social media, gossip with friends, and buy more stuff we don’t need. Have hobbies and goals that are deep and make you grow closer to Allah SWT.
Time is a gift, and every second should be spent wisely. The Prophet ﷺ said:
"There are two blessings which many people waste: health and free time." (Sahih Bukhari 6412)
Make the most of your time by balancing worship, work, personal growth, and relaxation. Avoid distractions and plan your day efficiently
28. Mix with Pious, God-Fearing Women
Your company influences your faith. Spend time with women who remind you of Allah SWT, encourage your growth, and support your journey to becoming a better Muslimah. Avoid women who have hasad, are sarcastic and critical, do not respect their husbands, and neglect their kids—this could rub off on you.
29. Be Modest, Shy, and Moral
Modesty (haya’) is one of the defining characteristics of a Muslim woman and a sign of strong faith. The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Indeed, every religion has a distinct characteristic, and the characteristic of Islam is haya' (modesty)." (Sunan Ibn Majah 4181)
Modesty isn’t just about how we dress; it encompasses our speech, behavior, and overall conduct. Being modest means carrying yourself with dignity and self-respect, guarding your gaze, and speaking with kindness and wisdom. The Prophet ﷺ also emphasized:
"Modesty brings nothing but good." (Sahih Muslim 37)
Practicing modesty strengthens your iman, protects you from harmful influences, and increases your closeness to Allah.
30. Seek Regular Forgiveness and Being Forgiving
We all make mistakes, and that’s part of being human. However, one of the greatest qualities of a believer is their ability to seek forgiveness from Allah SWT and forgive others. Allah repeatedly reminds us of His immense mercy:
"And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a Paradise as wide as the heavens and the earth, prepared for the righteous—who spend [in the cause of Allah] in prosperity and adversity and who restrain anger and who pardon the people – and Allah loves the doers of good." (Qur’an 3:133-134)
The Prophet ﷺ, despite being free of sin, sought Allah’s forgiveness more than 70 times a day:
"By Allah, I seek Allah’s forgiveness and repent to Him more than seventy times a day." (Sahih Bukhari 6307)
Regularly saying Astaghfirullah (I seek forgiveness from Allah) cleanses your heart, removes sins, and invites barakah into your life. It is also a means to unlock Allah’s blessings. The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Whoever regularly seeks forgiveness, Allah will provide for him a way out of every difficulty, relief from every worry, and sustenance from where he does not expect." (Sunan Ibn Majah 3819)
And just as we seek Allah’s SWT forgiveness, we must also forgive those who wrong us. Holding onto grudges weighs down the heart and causes unnecessary pain. Allah says:
"Let them pardon and overlook. Would you not love for Allah to forgive you? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful." (Qur’an 24:22)
In Conclusion
Becoming a good Muslim woman is a lifelong journey of learning and growth so don’t be daunted by these 30 ideas mentioned in this post. By reflecting on these points and incorporating them into your life slowly and steadily, you can strengthen your relationship with your Lord and fulfill your roles with sincerity and excellence.
Remember, Allah SWT sees your efforts and rewards even the smallest of good deeds. Keep striving, remain hopeful and positive, and trust that He will guide you on the path to success.
Salam, I’m Zakeeya!
I believe that making our homes a safe haven for our families, as well as being a wife and mother, brings us great blessings, contentment, and benefits to society as a whole. Since 2011, I've been dedicated to assisting Muslimas in finding tranquility in their roles, taking better care of themselves, and achieving inner peace. Our journey in this world is not an easy one, but I pray the tools and guidance I offer will help you face life's challenges with more gratitude and mindfulness. Join me as I share wifehood, motherhood, homemaking, and lifestyle solutions that make life more fulfilling for you as a woman! Read more about me here.
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