Everyone knows who a Muslim is. In the etymological sense, Muslim means “the one who summits”; that is the one who submits to Allah. In its basic meaning, Muslim is a person who holds the belief that there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. A Muslim believes the six pillars of Islam: the existence and oneness of Allah, His angels, the divine books sent by Allah, His prophets, the hereafter and predestination. And a Muslim performs 5 religious obligations: reciting the declaration of faith, performing five daily prayers, giving to charity, fasting during the holy month of Ramadan, and undertaking the pilgrimage to Mecca if physically and financially able.

However, beyond these basic attributes of a Muslim, The Qur’an and Prophet Muhammed describe who Muslims are and what actions make a person Muslim. Let’s take a closer look!

Devotion to Allah: Belief in Allah is an indispensable and essential part of Muslim identity. The Qur’an repeatedly mentions that Muslims believe in Allah and never associate any partners with Him. Anyone who submits their will to the one true God and follows the prophet of their time is considered a “Muslim”. Muslims nourish their devotions and completely submit themselves to Him in every way.

Say, “Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allāh, Lord of the worlds.” [The Qur’an 6:162]

The believers are only those who, when Allāh is mentioned, their hearts become fearful, and when His verses are recited to them, it increases them in faith; and upon their Lord they rely. [The Qur’an 8:2]

And Moses said, “O my people, if you have believed in Allāh, then rely upon Him, if you should be Muslims [i.e., submitting to Him].” [The Qur’an 10:84]

Commitment to prayer and worship: A Muslim’s life is centered on the worship of Allah. Worship in Islam is not limited to rituals but encompasses a sincere devotion that shapes a believer’s thoughts, actions, and character. Among the acts of worship, prayer holds a special place as a direct connection between the believer and Allah. Through regular prayer, Muslims strengthen their faith, develop self-discipline, and remain conscious of their responsibilities toward Allah and others.

Recite, [O Muḥammad], what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allāh is greater. And Allāh knows that which you do. [The Qur’an 29:45]

The Messenger of Allah said, ‘Is there any dirt remaining on a person who bathes five times a day in a river flowing in front of his house?’ They replied, ‘No dirt would remain on him.’ The Prophet said, ‘That is the example of the five daily prayers by which Allah washes away sins.’“[Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 9, Hadith 7]

Asking for help and forgiveness: A Muslim’s sole trust lies in Allah. Whether it is asking for something in this life or seeking forgiveness for shortcomings, a Muslim goes directly to Allah through prayers. Allah is the ultimate Provider (Al-Razzaq) and the Most Forgiving (Al-Ghafur). A Muslim is hopeful in their wishes as he/she trusts the benevolence of Allah; and He does not despair because of his sins and faults because Allah is the most forgiving when sincerity is shown.

And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me - indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be rightly guided.” [The Qur’an, 2:186]

“Say, ‘O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.’“[The Qur’an, 39:53]

Moreover, these are the ones who when they commit any act of obscenity, or wrong themselves with sin, they remember Allah, [to whom they are accountable,] and so seek forgiveness for their sins. For who is it that forgives sins but Allah? Nor do they persist in whatever wrong they have done when they know it is wrong. [The Qur’an 3:135]

Commanding the right and forbidding the wrong: Being righteous is commanded in every area of individual life. However, Muslims also have a communal responsibility to sustain the order and the welfare of the society. For this purpose, Muslims command what is right for their fellow brothers and sisters and for the society; moreover, they also forbid and prevent what is wrong. This ensures that the Muslim community remains proactive, preventing moral decay and systemic injustice from taking root.

And let there be [arising] from you a nation inviting to [all that is] good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, and those will be the successful.” [The Qur’an, 3:104]

Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: ‘Whoever among you sees an evil action and can change it with his hand (by taking action), let him change it with his hand. If he cannot do that, then with his tongue (by speaking out); and if he cannot do that, then with his heart (by hating it and feeling that it is wrong), and that is the weakest of faith.’” [Sunan Ibn Majah Book 36, Hadith 88]

Brothers to others: A Muslim is a brother and a sister in religion to others. The bond of faith creates a spiritual kinship that is often considered deeper and more binding than blood ties. This concept of universal brotherhood puts away tribalism, racism, and socioeconomic stratification. This brotherhood gives some rights and responsibility on Muslims towards other Muslims. Fulfilling these mutual obligations is not merely an act of social courtesy; it is a fundamental religious duty and a direct measure of the sincerity of their faith.

But if they repent, establish prayer, and give zakāh, then they are your brothers in religion; and We detail the verses for a people who know.  [The Qur’an 9:11]

And if two factions among the believers should fight, then make settlement between the two. But if one of them oppresses the other, then fight against the one that oppresses until it returns to the ordinance of Allāh. And if it returns, then make settlement between them in justice and act justly. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly. [The Qur’an 49:9]

O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name [i.e., mention] of disobedience after [one’s] faith. And whoever does not repent - then it is those who are the wrongdoers. [The Qur’an 49:11]

O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allāh; indeed, Allāh is Accepting of Repentance and Merciful. [The Qur’an 49:12]

The similitude of believers in regard to mutual love, affection, and fellow-feeling is that of one body; when any limb of it aches, the whole body aches, because of sleeplessness and fever. [Sahih Muslim, Book 45, Hadith 84]

A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim: he does not oppress him, nor does he abandon him. Whoever helps his brother in his time of need, Allah will help him in his time of need. Whoever relieves a Muslim of a burden, Allah will relieve him of one of the burdens of the Day of Resurrection. [Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 46, Hadith 3]

Obedience and respect to parents: One of the most important characteristics of a Muslim is showing kindness, respect, and gratitude to his or her parents. In Islam, honoring parents is considered a sacred duty. The Qur’an repeatedly emphasizes the high status of parents and encourages believers to treat them with compassion, especially in their old age.

And your Lord has decreed that you worship not except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], “uff,” (a word of irritation) and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word. [The Qur’an 17:23]

And We have enjoined upon man, to his parents, good treatment. His mother carried him with hardship and gave birth to him with hardship, and his gestation and weaning [period] is thirty months. [The Qur’an 46:15]

“O Messenger of Allah! Who is most deserving of my fine treatment?” He (ﷺ) said, “Your mother, then your mother, then your mother, then your father, then your nearest, then nearest”. [Riyad as-Salihin 316]

However, obedience to parents is not absolute. If parents command something that contradicts Allah’s guidance, a Muslim should not obey them in that matter while still treating them respectfully.

But if they endeavour to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge,1 do not obey them but accompany them in [this] world with appropriate kindness and follow the way of those who turn back to Me [in repentance]. [The Qur’an 31:15]

High morality: A Muslim is not defined merely by faith in the heart but by righteous conduct, compassion, honesty, self-discipline, and commitment to justice.

A Muslim has firm faith in Allah and His Messenger without doubt and is willing to sacrifice wealth, time, and effort for what is right.

The believers are only the ones who have believed in Allāh and His Messenger and then doubt not but strive with their properties and their lives in the cause of Allāh. It is those who are the truthful. [The Qur’an 49:15]

The Qur’an praises those who remain faithful to their commitments and fulfill their promises. Integrity and reliability are essential characteristics of a Muslim. 

And they who are to their trusts and their promises attentive [The Qur’an 23:8]

Muslims are expected to remain patient during hardship, poverty, illness, and times of conflict. Patience is one of the most frequently praised virtues in the Qur’an.

And then being among those who believed and advised one another to patience and advised one another to compassion. [The Qur’an 90:17]

Believers are encouraged to share their wealth with others, whether they are wealthy or facing financial difficulties themselves.

They ask you, [O Muḥammad], what they should spend. Say, “Whatever you spend of good is [to be] for parents and relatives and orphans and the needy and the traveler. And whatever you do of good - indeed, Allāh is Knowing of it.”  [The Qur’an 2:215]

 A Muslim seeks to control negative emotions rather than being controlled by them.

Who spend [in the cause of Allah] during ease and hardship and who restrain anger and who pardon the people - and Allah loves the doers of good.” [The Qur’an 3:134]

Believers avoid arrogance and treat others with respect.

The servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth humbly.” [The Qur’an 25:63]

 

What I have covered in this article represents only the basic and essential characteristics of a Muslim. The Qur’an and the life of Prophet Muhammad provide a comprehensive framework that guides every aspect of a believer’s life. Islam is not merely a set of beliefs to be accepted intellectually; it is a way of life that shapes one’s character, relationships, and conduct.

A Muslim is not simply a person who believes in Allah. Rather, a Muslim strives to develop his or her personality according to divine guidance and to contribute positively to society through justice, compassion, honesty, and service to others. By following the teachings of the Qur’an and the example of the Prophet Muhammad, Muslims seek to become better individuals and to build communities founded upon moral excellence and the worship of Allah.