Self-confidence is borne from the Believer’s intimate knowledge and understanding that Allah is ever ready to assist those who strive and struggle in His way.
Why Do I Love Allah?
Self-confidence comes from depending upon Allah; from knowing that He is there to help you, protect you and shower His mercies upon you:
{So he who gives [in charity] and fears [Allah] and [in all sincerity] testifies to the best- We will indeed make smooth for him the path to Bliss.} (Al-Layl 92: 5-7)
Self-confidence also emanates from knowing that Allah in His infinite mercy has equipped you with all that you require to undertake the tasks set before you. z
It is not characteristic of the One who is Most Just and Most Merciful to prepare you for a duel without equipping you with the necessary tools.
Trust Allah
Self-confidence is thus borne of total reliance and trust in Allah. It is knowing that at every step of your journey, Allah is there assisting you.
So, if you constantly hold yourself back believing that you are weak and incapable and blame your incompetence on minor inadequacies, then you are bound to fail.
You must never allow yourself to believe or feel that Allah has treated you unfairly or that He has placed upon you a burden you cannot shoulder for {on no soul does Allah place a burden greater than it can bear.} (Al-Baqarah 2: 286)
Likewise, hope is central to your efforts and your success. You must sincerely hope and believe that everything you do to earn the pleasure of Allah will lead you to fulfillment.
A superiority complex negates the task of self-development (Tazkiyah). An inferiority complex is derived from a lack of confidence in Allah and oneself.
You should never allow yourself to believe that you cannot fulfill your obligations nor should you despair of the mercy of Allah. Confidence, hope and determination are all important ingredients for your success:
{Those unto whom men said: Lo! the people have gathered against you, therefore fear them. But it only increased them in faith and they cried: Allah is sufficient for us! Most Excellent is He in Whom we trust!} (Aal `Imran 3: 173)
You must be wary, however, of the kind of self-confidence that causes a person to claim self-sufficiency. Modern concepts of self-sufficiency are indeed an evil form of shirk or polytheism. To ascribe self-sufficiency to one’s self is to assume for oneself an attribute reserved only for Allah.
For the Muslim, self-confidence is wholly dependent upon the trust one places in Allah; it is not an arrogant proclamation of complete independence from Allah. Allah alone is self-Sufficient. All else is reliant upon Him for existence.
References
Source: Khurram Murad’s book “In the Early Hours: Reflections on Spiritual and Self”.