Praise be to Allaah.
1 – I advise you to read the Qur’aan a great deal, and listen
to recitations of Qur’aan and ponder the meanings of what you read and what
you hear as much as you can. Whatever you cannot understand, ask the people
of knowledge in your country or write to other scholars of Ahl al-Sunnah
(Sunnis).
If you read a tafseer (commentary) on what you read, this
will help you to ponder the meanings. One of the best and most concise
Tafseers is Tafseer al-Sa’di (may Allaah have mercy on him).
2 – You should remember
Allaah a great deal (dhikr), by reciting the dhikrs narrated in the saheeh
ahaadeeth such as Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah (there is no god but Allaah),
Subhaan Allaah wa’l-hamdu Lillaah wa laa ilaaha ill-Allaah wa Allaahu
akbar (Glory be to Allaah, praise be to Allaah, there is no god but
Allaah, and Allaah is great), and so on. See al-Adhkaar by al-Nawawi
and similar books.
Remembering Allaah
increases one’s faith and brings peace to the heart. Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning):
“Those who believed (in the Oneness of Allaah — Islamic
Monotheism), and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allaah verily,
in the remembrance of Allaah do hearts find rest”
[al-Ra’d 13:28]
Observe regular prayer, fast and observe all the pillars of
Islam, whilst also hoping for the mercy of Allaah; put your trust in Allaah
in all your affairs. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“The believers are only those who, when Allaah is
mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts and when His Verses (this Qur’aan)
are recited unto them, they (i.e. the Verses) increase their Faith; and they
put their trust in their Lord (Alone);
3. Who perform As-Salaah (Iqaamat-as- Salaah) and spend
out of that We have provided them.
4. It is they who are the believers in truth. For them are
grades of dignity with their Lord, and forgiveness and a generous provision
(Paradise)”
[al-Anfaal 8:2-4]
It should be noted that
faith increases when one obeys Allaah and decreases when one disobeys Him,
so continue to do that which Allaah has enjoined, such as observing the five
daily prayers in congregation in the mosque and paying zakaah willingly, to
purify yourself of sin, and as an act of mercy towards the poor and needy.
Keep company with good and righteous people so that they can
help you to apply sharee’ah and guide you towards that which will bring you
happiness in this world and in the Hereafter.
Keep away from the people of innovation and sin, lest they
tempt you and weaken your resolve.
Do a lot of naafil good deeds, and turn to Allaah and ask Him
for guidance.
If you do these things, Allaah will increase you in faith and
help you to catch up with what you have missed of good deeds, and make you
more steadfast in adhering to Islam.