HOW TO ACHIEVE TRUE ALIVENESS FROM THE QURAN AND HADITH

In my previous post, I shared some insights and experiences on how to achieve a greater level of aliveness and fulfillment.

From a spiritual perspective, aliveness is the state of being connected to the inner soul and purpose in life. In many faiths and spiritual traditions, the experience of being fully alive is linked to being fully connected with the divine.

For example, in Islam, the Quran encourages believers to reflect on the signs of life all around them and to be mindful of the divine purpose in this world. The true essence of aliveness comes from being deeply connected to your Creator and following his guidance.

Both the Quran and the Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) offer profound insights into what it means to live a life of spiritual aliveness—a life filled with awareness of Allah, gratitude, purpose, and connection with others.

The Quran often speaks to the concept of being spiritually and emotionally alive. It emphasizes the importance of nurturing our souls and living in constant awareness of Allah’s presence and guidance.

1. Spiritual Aliveness Through Faith and believing in Allah:

True aliveness in the Quran is linked to one’s faith. It is not simply about physical existence but about the vibrancy of the heart and soul that comes from belief in Allah. The Quran contrasts those who are spiritually alive with those who are spiritually dead, emphasizing that true life comes through faith.

Allah says in the Quran, Al-Anʿām, Ayah 122:

“أَوَمَن كَانَ مَيْتًۭا فَأَحْيَيْنَـٰهُ وَجَعَلْنَا لَهُۥ نُورًۭا يَمْشِى بِهِۦ فِى ٱلنَّاسِ كَمَن مَّثَلُهُۥ فِى ٱلظُّلُمَـٰتِ لَيْسَ بِخَارِجٍۢ مِّنْهَا ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ زُيِّنَ لِلْكَـٰفِرِينَ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ”

“Is he who was dead (without Faith by ignorance and disbelief) and We gave him life (by knowledge and Faith) and set for him a light (of Belief) whereby he can walk amongst men – like him who is in the darkness (of disbelief, polytheism and hypocrisy) from which he can never come out? Thus, it is made fair-seeming to the disbelievers that which they used to do.”

(Quran 6:122)

In this verse, “giving life” refers to the spiritual awakening that comes with faith. When a person believes in Allah and follows His guidance, they experience a sense of inner light and purpose, which the Quran equates with true aliveness. Conversely, those who reject faith live in spiritual darkness despite being physically alive.

2. Responding to Allah’s Call: The Source of Life

Aliveness of the soul and the heart in the Quran is also connected with responding to the calls and orders of Allah and his messenger (PBUH).  

Allah says in the Quran, Al-Anfāl, Ayah 24:

” یَـٰۤأَیُّهَا ٱلَّذِینَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱسۡتَجِیبُوا۟ لِلَّهِ وَلِلرَّسُولِ إِذَا دَعَاكُمۡ لِمَا یُحۡیِیكُمۡۖ وَٱعۡلَمُوۤا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ یَحُولُ بَیۡنَ ٱلۡمَرۡءِ وَقَلۡبِهِۦ وَأَنَّهُۥۤ إِلَیۡهِ تُحۡشَرُونَ”

“O you who believe! Respond to Allah (by obeying Him) and his Messenger when he calls you to that which will give you life, and know that Allah comes in between a person and his heart, and to Him, you shall (all) be gathered.”

This verse highlights that true life, or aliveness, is found in responding to the calls of Allah and His Messenger and obeying their orders. It also implies that achieving a superior life now (Donya) and in the Afterlife (Akhirah) is linked to submission and obedience to Allah’s orders or Taqwa (obeying Allah’s commands and abstinence from his prohibitions) 

Allah also says in the Quran, An-Naḥl, Ayah 97:

“مَنْ عَمِلَ صَـٰلِحًۭا مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌۭ فَلَنُحْيِيَنَّهُ حَيَوٰةًۭ طَيِّبَةًۭ ۖ وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ”

“Whoever does good, whether male or female, and is a believer, We will surely bless them with a good life, and We will certainly reward them according to the best of their deeds.” 

Again, achieving a vibrant life in this life and the life after is linked to doing good deeds after believing in Allah. 

3. Aliveness and abundance through Gratitude. 

The Quran also emphasizes the importance of Shukr (gratitude) in living a vibrant, alive life. Gratitude opens the heart to the abundance of blessings Allah provides, making a person more attuned to the beauty and richness of life:

Allah says in the Quran, Ibrāhīm, Ayah 7:

“وَإِذْ تَأَذَّنَ رَ‌بُّكُمْ لَئِن شَكَرْ‌تُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ ۖ وَلَئِن كَفَرْ‌تُمْ إِنَّ عَذَابِي لَشَدِيدٌ”

“And ˹remember˺ when your Lord proclaimed, ‘If you are grateful, I will certainly give you more. But if you are ungrateful, surely My punishment is severe.’” (Quran 14:7)

This verse teaches that gratitude brings more blessings and makes us more aware of the blessings around us, which enhances our sense of aliveness. It awakens our hearts to the bounties and mercy of Allah, helping us live with greater appreciation and joy.

The Prophet (PBUH) embodied gratitude in all circumstances, even during hardship. He taught us to express thankfulness to Allah in good times and patience during challenges. His attitude of gratitude made him fully present and alive, regardless of the situation.

Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said in narrated Hadith: Sahih Muslim, 2999

عَجَبًا لأَمْرِ الْمُؤْمِنِ إِنَّ أَمْرَهُ كُلَّهُ خَيْرٌ وَلَيْسَ ذَاكَ لأَحَدٍ إِلاَّ لِلْمُؤْمِنِ إِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ سَرَّاءُ شَكَرَ فَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَهُ وَإِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ ضَرَّاءُ صَبَرَ فَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَهُ “‏”

“Wondrous is the affair of the believer, for there is good for him in every matter… If he is happy, he thanks Allah, and there is good for him; if he has a hard time, he shows patience, and there is good for him.”

This hadith demonstrates that a believer who lives with gratitude and patience is always spiritually alive, finding goodness in every situation. Gratitude nurtures the soul, while patience sustains it through difficulties.

4. Aliveness through Remembrance of Allah (Zikr)

In the Quran and Hadith, the act of remembering Allah (Zikr) is frequently mentioned as a source of spiritual vitality. Constant remembrance keeps the heart alive and connected to its Creator.

Allah says in the Quran, Ar-Raʿd, Ayah 28:

  “ٱلَّذِینَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَتَطۡمَىِٕنُّ قُلُوبُهُم بِذِكۡرِ ٱللَّهِۗ أَلَا بِذِكۡرِ ٱللَّهِ تَطۡمَىِٕنُّ ٱلۡقُلُوبُ ”

   “ those who believe and whose hearts find comfort in the remembrance of Allah. Surely, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find comfort”

The remembrance of Allah brings peace and contentment to the heart, allowing believers to live with a sense of calm and aliveness even in times of hardship.

Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said in narrated Hadith (Sahih Bukhari): 

‏مَثَلُ الَّذِي يَذْكُرُ رَبَّهُ وَالَّذِي لاَ يَذْكُرُ مَثَلُ الْحَىِّ وَالْمَيِّتِ”‏ “

“The example of the one who remembers his Lord and the one who does not is like that of the living and the dead.”

Sahih al-Bukhari, 6407

 This hadith powerfully conveys that remembering Allah (Zikr) is what keeps the soul alive. When we neglect to remember Allah, we risk spiritual stagnation, but through consistent remembrance, we nourish the soul and remain spiritually alert.

5. Living with Purpose

Living with purpose leads to a great sense of aliveness because it gives direction and significance to our actions, leading us to meaningful and fulfilled living. 

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was known for his unmatched clarity of purpose. Every action he took was directed toward fulfilling his mission of spreading the message and serving humanity. 

The Prophet also emphasized the importance of intentional living. He taught that every action, no matter how small, should be done with the right intention (niyyah). This focus on intention brings mindfulness and purpose to even the most mundane tasks, making them part of a spiritually alive life.

Conclusion: Aliveness as a Holistic Experience

In the Quran and Hadith, aliveness is a holistic experience encompassing spiritual connection, emotional depth, purpose-driven action, and mindfulness of Allah. It is not simply about living or surviving but about living with intention, gratitude, compassion, and faith. This aliveness is reflected in how we engage with our inner selves, relationships with others, and connection to the Creator. Living in this state of awareness and purpose is the essence of a life fully alive in Islam.