Building Self-Confidence: Lessons from the Stories of Musa (AS) & Maryam (AS)

Self-confidence is an essential trait that empowers individuals to pursue their goals, overcome challenges and believe in their capabilities. In this article, we will explore the concept of self-confidence from an Islamic perspective and discuss practical strategies to strengthen it. By aligning our understanding of self-confidence with Islamic teachings, we can develop a robust sense of self-worth and reliance on Allah, leading to a more fulfilling and purposeful life.

Understanding Self-Confidence

Self-confidence is a skill that can be developed and strengthened. It goes beyond mere self-assurance or arrogance, as it is rooted in recognising our worth and capabilities as bestowed upon us by Allah. It involves having a growth mindset, where we embrace challenges, learn from failures and persistently strive to improve ourselves. Just as a baby learns to walk through perseverance and creativity, we can adopt a similar mindset in building self-confidence.

When it comes to self-confidence, the story of Prophet Musa (AS) provides a powerful template for all individuals, regardless of their gender. Prophet Musa AS, despite his perceived limitations, stands as an extraordinary example of someone who conquered his fears and achieved the impossible through his reliance on Allah. In the Quran 20:25-28, Musa (AS) made a heartfelt plea to Allah:

“O my Lord! Open for me my chest (grant me self-confidence, contentment, and boldness). And ease my task for me; And make loose the knot (the defect) from my tongue, (That) they understand my speech.”

Allah answered his prayer, enabling Musa (AS) to confront Pharaoh with courage and self-confidence.

As women in today’s society, we can draw profound lessons from Musa’s (AS) story. We may face numerous challenges – in the workplace, in our families, or within ourselves. These may manifest as feelings of self-doubt, societal pressures, or even instances of prejudice and inequality. But we must remember that self-confidence is not inherently a masculine trait; it is a human trait accessible to us all, rooted in our belief in Allah and our recognition of our inherent worth and capabilities.

To cultivate self-confidence, we should strive to adopt a growth mindset, just like Musa AS. Recognise your worth and know that Allah has bestowed upon each one of us unique capabilities. If Musa could overcome his speech impediment to lead his people out of Egypt, surely we, too, can overcome our perceived limitations. We should seek Allah’s help, just as Musa (AS) did, to open our hearts and grant us self-confidence.

We must also remember to show patience and perseverance, just as Musa (AS) did when faced with the challenge of standing up to Pharaoh. It’s important to remember that self-confidence does not mean we won’t face hardship. Instead, it equips us to better handle those situations, secure in the knowledge that we are not alone in our struggles – Allah is always with us.

Additionally, it is worth mentioning that self-confidence should not be mistaken for arrogance. It’s about recognizing our abilities, believing in ourselves, but also acknowledging that all our strengths are blessings from Allah.

When we speak of self-confidence, we must also consider the life of Maryam (AS). In the face of immense challenges, she held onto her trust in Allah (SWT), demonstrating that self-confidence is deeply intertwined with faith. Maryam was given the heavy responsibility of mothering Prophet Isa (AS) under miraculous circumstances. She was alone during the birth, with no human aid in sight, relying solely on Allah (SWT). This daunting scenario would have weakened many, but Maryam, confident in her faith and Allah’s plan, prevailed.

In Surah Maryam (The Quran 19:23-26), we find Maryam (AS) in labour, alone, near a date palm tree. In her pain, she wishes for death, but she is immediately comforted by a voice (Angel Jibreel AS) reassuring her of Allah’s providence. The tree provided her with fresh dates, and a stream was created for her to drink from. In her ordeal, Allah (SWT) provided for her and eased her difficulties.

Her story serves as a potent reminder of how faith can fortify us in times of hardship. Self-confidence does not imply that we will not encounter difficulties; instead, it empowers us to trust in Allah’s plan and to remember that He will never burden us with more than we can bear (The Quran 2:286). This story emboldens us to meet life’s challenges head-on, confident in our abilities and in the knowledge that Allah (SWT) is always with us.

As we endeavour to cultivate self-confidence in our lives, Maryam’s story can serve as a guide. She teaches us that, regardless of the situation, we should believe in ourselves and our capabilities and trust that Allah (SWT) will guide us through. Her courage and reliance on Allah (SWT) are a model of Islamic self-confidence that all Muslim women can aspire to.

As we walk the path of self-confidence, let us remember Maryam (AS) and her trust in Allah (SWT). Let us strive to embody the same level of faith and confidence in our lives, believing in ourselves and trusting in Allah’s plan, no matter how overwhelming circumstances may seem.

Let us create a supportive community where we uplift each other, drawing on the unity that Prophet Musa (AS) cultivated. As women, let’s empower one another to become the best versions of ourselves, applauding each other’s success and providing comfort during failures.

As a Muslim life coach, my aim is to help you navigate through your journey using principles derived from our rich Islamic heritage. Let’s take inspiration from these examples and embrace the lessons they teach us about self-confidence, and use these to fuel our growth, resilience, and success. As stated in Surah Al-Imran (The Quran 3:139), “So do not weaken and do not grieve, and you will be superior if you are [true] believers.” It’s a gentle reminder that self-confidence paired with true belief and reliance on Allah can lead us to our desired success.

Remember, self-confidence is an ongoing journey, and like Prophet Musa (AS) and Maryam (AS) you, too, have the ability to overcome obstacles, strive towards your goals, and ultimately, leave your own unique mark on the world.