By
Humna Salman – Hiba Magazine’s team writer
Decisions. Decisions. Decisions.
What decisions do we make on a day-to-day basis?
What clothes do I wear today?
Which university/job do I choose?
What time should I set my morning alarm for?
Every second of every day we are making decisions unknowingly or deliberately. Our mind is never really at rest, is it? Praise and thanks to Allah (swt) for granting us such systems in our bodies that function effortlessly.
The fact that you’re reading this article instead of doom-scrolling on Instagram is a decision. Whether you’re sitting on your bed or sofa or worktable at the moment is a decision. What you chose to eat in the morning was a decision.
There is no such thing as a break from decision-making, and at the end, free will also boils down to this. With our free will, we choose to make certain decisions that then go onto dictate our everyday seemingly mundane life.
On the basis of our capability to make decisions, Allah (swt) will judge us on the Day of Judgment. In other words, our accountability will closely depend on the decisions we make in our everyday life.
As such, shouldn’t we know the art of decision-making? I used the word “art” on purpose – forming the correct decisions at the correct time takes time, practice, patience, skill, and like artwork, eventually leads to beautiful outcomes.
There are 7 basic principles of decision-making. Keeping these in mind, and with seeking help from Allah (swt), we can hope to form decisions that bring out the best in us, as well as in society.
1.Decisions are an individual effort
Since our decisions are the basis of our accountability, and each of us will be accountable for our own actions, decisions are also to be made exclusively by us. Many people are unable to take decisions on their own, preferring to be on the back foot. This is not a good idea. We need to steer the wheel in our lives, and be the drivers of our own vehicles.
2. An important tool for decision-making is self-awareness
This makes every decision of ours personal. Everyone has their unique skillset, which is Islamically termed as “Shakila”. Since we know ourselves best, we have to form decisions which are in line with our strengths and weaknesses. There is no one size fits all. What may be a productive, solution-oriented decision for myself might not be the same for you.
3. Understand the concept of HALT
Experts tell us not to make decisions when we are in 4 states, which are made easy to remember by the acronym HALT: Hungry, Angry, Lazy or Tired.
Hunger here means any state of overpowering desire or obsessiveness. This evokes a wolfish, animalistic quality in us, and reduces our rationale and intellect. In this state, we are nothing less than a predator, and our decision-making ability is greatly compromised.
Anger comes from Shaitaan. Any decision made in anger is Shaitaan’s influence on us, and how can a decision made in this state reap any benefit at all?
When we are lazy or tired, we are too mentally exhausted to use all our resources, leading to hasty, rushed decisions. We have all heard the saying – speed thrills but kills.
4. Be wisdom-centred
Decision-making is not age-related. Often people younger than us end up making better decisions than ourselves. Decision-making requires wisdom. Wisdom doesn’t come naturally. It’s an active, rather than passive, process. It has to be developed, and it is acquired with the company of the Quran explained by a competent Muallim.
The Quran teaches us time management, money management, conflict management, emotional regulation, and so much more. It narrates the beneficial decisions made by the Anbiyah, versus the desire based decisions made in the heat of the moment by the disobedient.
Most importantly, the Quran also clearly warns us of the consequences of our decisions so there are no rude awakenings later.
5. Begin with the end in mind
Visualize your goal. Before making any sort of decision, be very clear on what you hope the outcome to be. ‘Shoot first, ask later’ is never the right strategy. Our decisions have to be goal-oriented, and should point us in the direction of Khayr (goodness).
6. Follow the Prophet Muhammad’s (sa) Sunnah
Rather than worrying about what people will think, and centering our decisions around others, we need to remember the Sunnah. If our decision is in line with what the practice of Rasool Allah (sa) was, we need to adopt it, with conviction. It is bound to bring bounties in the world and the hereafter.
7. Practice Ikhlaas, make Dua and have Tawakkul
Actions are judged on the basis of their intentions. If our intention is to please Allah (swt) by obeying Him unconditionally, we need to trust Him and set our fears aside. Often decisions require a leap of faith, and we need to take just that. We need to put 200% effort, while relying 200% upon Allah (swt), and Insha Allah whatever decision we take, will be a productive, fruitful one.
There is a beautiful Dua in the Quran that Prophet Ibrahim (as) made to Allah (swt). It assures the believers too, that Allah (swt) gives us the power to make the correct decision at the correct time.
رَبِّ هَبْ لِى حُكْمًۭا وَأَلْحِقْنِى بِٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ
My Lord grant me authority and join me with the righteous. (Ash Shuara 26:83)
Prophet Ibrahim (as) made a very important decision of his life when he observed Allah’s (swt) creation first. Next he realized their weakness and rejected them as his deity. After deciding to reject the sun, moon, stars and idols that his father and the entire town worshipped he discovered Tauheed and sought help from his Creator Allah (swt). Allah (swt) never disappoints a brave believer and takes it upon him to guide him/her all the way to Jannah. May Allah (swt) enables us to master the art of decision-making, so we may live at our most optimal productivity too, Insha Allah.
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