Authoobillahi Mina Shaytaan Ar Rajeem

Bismillahir Ar Rahman, Ar Raheem

How would you define success? Success according to some is based on: how much money you make, the home you live in and the car you drive. Success is something we all claim to desire yet, so few of us are willing to strive towards. Success within this dunya is unlike the success of the Hereafter. What you may consider success here on earth, may be the very thing that leads you into the Hellfire. How you ask? Simple. If what you are striving for on earth is not within accordance to Islam, you may obtain the prestige of your fellow man but, you may earning the wrath of Allah. In The Qur’an, we are told:

“The only saying of the faithful believers, when they are called to Allâh and His Messenger to judge between them is they say: ‘We hear and we obey.’ And such are the successful. And whoever obeys Allâh and His Messenger, such are the successful.” (24:51-52) Many of us juggle between careers, family, communal obligations as well as obligations to our Lord. Yet so often we fall short. When we “slip up” so to speak at our jobs, some of us take this to heart. We work overtime, come up with plans and ways to improve. But, when we fall into error with our Lord, Allah we simply fall into the trick of believing: “Allah knows my intention. He is Ar Rahman, Ar Raheem.”

Astagferullah! Ya Muslimeen! Have we become so arrogant that we think our Lord will not call us to task? If so, we are in a state of desperation! What can we do to guarantee our success? It is laid out in the Glorious Quran if, only we knew.

What then is true success in Islam?

The word “prosperity” or success referred to it in the Qur’an is the word “falah” or Fawze. Falah (in my understanding) is derived from the word falaha which means to plant. The word Falah is broader in its meaning and can be understood by almost everybody. To plant means to plough the soil, put the seeds in it, irrigate it and take care of it. Sometimes we plant but we don’t have harvest, because of flood or tornado. But remember, whoever believes in Allah and follows His Path will always have harvest, because he does not invest for this life only but for the life hereafter. Therefore, to succeed in life is to establish Allah’s Words, to secure a decent life and to live in peace and stability. To succeed in the Hereafter is to have eternal life and live in Paradise forever. Allah says in the Glorious Quran (English Translation):

“But those who believe and do deeds of righteousness. We shall soon admit them to Gardens, with rivers flowing beneath, to dwell therein forever. Allâh’s promise is the truth, and whose word can be truer than Allâh’s?” (4:122)“And those who are blessed shall be in the Garden: they will dwell therein for all the time that the heavens and the earth endure, except as your Rabb wills: a gift without break.” (Hud,11:108).

“Allâh has promised the believers, men and women, gardens under which rivers flow to dwell therein and beautiful mansions in gardens of everlasting bliss. But the greatest bliss is the Good Pleasure of Allâh: that is the supreme success.” (9:72)

In Islam, true success is the eternal peace, happiness and prosperity that Allah grants to those who believe and do righteous deeds. It is to be among the dwellers of Paradise forever. It is the achievement of our very Goal — that is to be able to see Allah, our Rabb and Creator. That is the supreme success and that is what we call true success! The opposite of which is failure, which means severe punishments in the Hell-Fire. Therefore we do not wait until we see the truth by ourselves. It will be too late then. It is for our own success that we take guidance and admonitions from the Qur’an and the Sunnah.

By reading the Qur’an, we are reminded of Allah, our Creator. We are reminded of His favor upon us. We are reminded of our purpose in life, our ultimate Goal of Meeting Him, if we succeed in life. We are reminded of the life hereafter, which is our eternal destiny. If we live a life on the Path of Islam, the Straight Path to Paradise, we will ultimately attain SUCCESS. Allah the Exalted says (English Translation):”This is the Book (the Qur’an) in it is guidance sure, without doubt, to those who fear Allah; Who believe in the Unseen are steadfast in prayer and spend out of what we have provided for them and who believe in the Revelation Sent to you, and sent before your time and in their hearts have the assurance of the hereafter. They are on true guidance form their Rabb, and it is these who will prosper (succeed).” (Baqarah, 2:1-5)” . . . On them shall be no fear, Nor shall they grieve.” (Al-Baqara,2: 274)

On the other hand, if we deviate from Allah’s Path, then a miserable life becomes our fate, one that is extremely too severe for us to bear for a torment eternal, if Allah will not forgive us. Examples of the verses from the Qur’an that remind us of the Hereafter are as follows:

“It was We Who created man, and We know what dark suggestions his soul makes to him: for We are nearer to him than (his) jugular vein.” (Surah Qaf, 50:16)“Behold, two (guardian angels) appointed to learn (his doings) learn (and not them), one sitting on the right and one on the left.” (Surah Qaf, 50:17)

“Not a word does he utter but there is a sentinel by him, ready (to note it).” (Surah Qaf, 50: 18)

“And the stupor of death will bring truth before his eyes: this was the thing, which you were trying to escape.” (Surah Qaf, 50:19)

“And the Trumpet shall be blown: That will be the Day Whereof Warning (had been given).” (Surah Qaf, 50:20)

“And there will come forth every soul: with each will be an angel to drive and an angel to bear witness.” (Surah Qaf, 50: 21)

“It will be said: ‘You were heedless of this; now have We removed your veil, and sharp is your sight this day!’” (Surah Qaf, 50: 22)

“And his Companion will say: ‘Here is his record ready with me!’ (Surah Qaf, 50:23)

“The sentence will be: “Throw, throw into Hell every contumacious Rejecter of Allah (God).” (Surah Qaf, 50: 24)

“Who forbade what was good, transgressed all bounds cast doubts and Suspicions;” (Surah Qaf, 50:26)

“Who set up another god beside God: throw him into a severe penalty.” (Surah Qaf, 50:, verse 26)

“His companion will say: “Our Rabb! I did not make him transgress, but he was (himself) far astray.” ” (Surah Qaf, 50: 27)

“He (Allah) will say: “Dispute not with each other in my presence I had already in advance sent you warning.” (Surah Qaf, 50: 28)

“The word changes not before Me and I do not do the least injustice to My servants.” (Surah Qaf, 50:29)

“One day We will ask Hell, ‘Are you filled to the full? It will say, “Are there any more to come?’” (Surah Qaf, 50:30)

“And the Garden will be brought nigh to the righteous, no more a thing distant.” (Surah Qaf, 50:31)

“A voice will say; “This is what was promised for you,- for every one who turned (to Allah) in sincere repentance, who kept (His Law),” (Surah Qaf, 50:32)

“Who feared (Allah) Most Gracious unseen, and brought a heart turned in devotion (to Him):” (Surah Qaf, 50:33)

“Enter ye therein in peace and security; this is a day of eternal life!” (Surah Qaf, 50: 34).

“There will be for them therein all that they wish and more besides in Our Presence.” (Surah Qaf, 50: 35)

“Bear, then with patience, all that they say, and celebrate the praises of your Rabb, before the rising of the sun and before its setting.” (Surah Qaf, 50: 39)

“And during part of the night, also celebrate His praises, and so likewise after the postures of adoration.” (Surah Qaf, 50: 40)

“And listen for the Day when the caller will call out from a place quite near.” (Surah Qaf, 50: 41)

“The day when they will hear a mighty blast in very truth: that will be the Day of Resurrection.” (Surah Qaf, 50: 42)

“Verily it is We Who Give Life and Death; and to Us is the Final Goal.” (Surah Qaf, 50:43)

“The Day when the earth will be rent asunder from men hurrying out: that will be a gathering together quite easy for Us.” (Surah Qaf, 50: 44)

“Those who reject their Rabb and Cherisher are the losers, it is the party of the evil one that will perish.” (Surah Tabarak, 67:6)

“They will further say, ‘Had we but listened or used our intelligence, we should not now be among the companions of the blazing fire.’” (Surah Tabarak, 67:10)

In conclusion, Success should be defined as prosperity in this life and the Hereafter. It is to have Taqwa and Sakeenah in this world and attain our Goal of Meeting our Lord, Allah and enjoy the divine barakah of Paradise forever. In order to accomplish this, we must have to be patience, And Tawqa in Allah Alone. Patience is required so we can obey Allah’s command. Patience is what we need to fight Shaytan and his followers. We must remember that with Shaytan’s evil promptings there will be people who are always benefiting from and exploiting any deviation inflicted by the society and deviating from Allah’s Path. These people will try their best to fight against us Muslims who want to establish Allah’s Path. They will not hesitate to hurt us whenever they can, ridicule us, annoy and make us tired, and fight us. Those who are fighting us to prevent us from establishing Allah’s Path may be stronger than us, but with patience and taqwa,knowing that in the end, we will be the Victor (inshaAllah).

Let us not fear our enemies, no matter how strong they seem to be. Let us put our trust in Allah and fear no one but Him. If we do this, He will grant us victory in this world and supreme success in the Hereafter.

Anything correct I have said is from Allah and anything incorrect is merely a trick of shaytan. Ameen. As Salaamu Alaykum

A’isha Latifah Amatullah