Every one of us is struggling and tirelessly striving towards one common goal – SUCCESS. Whether it is your business, household affairs, your relationship with others, career goals, Quran goals, or academics, each one of us wants to achieve the best and taste the sweetness of success. After all, a successful life automatically translates into happiness, contentment and peace, right?

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But what is the definition of success in Islam? Read on to find out.

Allah says in Surah baqarah (verses 2-3), the muflihoon (successful) one is he who:

1. Has taqwa of Allah – He remembers Allah while performing every single act – this way, he is able to keep himself in check throughout his life. When you approach this dunya with taqwa in your heart, you will find Allah helping you out in all your affairs, and filling your book with good deeds to propel you towards Jannah! Yes! That’s how powerful taqwa is. Want to know more? Click here.
2. Who believes in the unseen – All of us believe in paradise and hell-fire, but how often do we remind ourselves of this in our day-to-day lives? When you miss a salah, do you feel guilty and vow not to miss another salah ever gain, or do you find yourself falling in the same old cycle of laziness followed by remorse without any action points to set it right? The stronger your belief is in the unseen, the more stronger your will-power will be to aim for jannah and build a protective wall in front of you from Hellfire.
3.  Establishes prayer: This includes praying on time with khushoo and cleansing your heart and mind of worldly distractions and focusing on Allah alone.
4.  Gives in charity – Remember, zakat is not limited to the month of Ramadan alone. The doors of success are open throughout the year, and giving charity is one of the most beautiful means to achieve success.
5.  Calls others to goodness – In surah Imran, verse 104, Allah says the successful one is he who calls others towards Islam and its goodness (al-Maruf) and forbids al Munkar (polytheism and various forms of evil)

I’ve just listed some characteristics of a successful person.  When you read the Quran, you will come across several such verses that speak about success and the traits of a successful person.

Action points:

• Check out the verses in the Quran that speak about success.
• See which verses you can inculcate in your day-to-day life.
• Maintain a diary to jot down your strengths and weaknesses
• Start building a routine to follow each characteristic of a successful person – one trait at a time

You will soon notice a change in your outlook about life. You will find it easy to be in a state of gratitude and happiness. You will find your worldly affairs being taken care of, and your heart will constantly yearn for Jannah and seek the means to attain Jannah. You will begin to wonder whether Allah is pleased with you or not for every act that you perform, whether they are deen or dunya related.  When you have reached this beautiful state of imaan, realize that this is the definition of true success in Islam.

Dua’s to achieve success

Dua #1

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to recite:  “Allahumma aslih li deeni alladhi huwa ‘ismatu amri, wa aslih li dunyaya allati fiha ma’ashi, wa aslih li akhirati allati ilayha ma’adi, waj’al al-hayata ziyadatan li fi kulli khayr, wa’l-mawta rahatan li min kulli sharr (O Allah, correct my religious commitment which is the foundation of my life, and correct my worldly affairs in which is my livelihood, and grant me good in the Hereafter to which is my return. Make my life a means of accumulating good, and make death a respite for me from all evil).” (Narrated by Muslim, 2720).

Dua #2

It was also narrated from Anas (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “O Allaah, nothing is easy but that which You make easy and You can make hardship easy if You will.” Narrated by Ibn Hibbaan, 3/255; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah, 2886.

If a person utters these dua’s (asking that his spiritual and worldly affairs may be set right or corrected with proper presence of mind and sincerity of intention) and strives to achieve this, Allah will grant him what he has prayed for, hoped for and striven for, and He will turn his worry into joy and happiness. (https://islamqa.info/en/69759)

Dua #3

And of them there are some who say: “Our Lord! Give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the torment of the Fire!” Quran: Surah Al Baqarah :201

Ibn Al-Kathir states that the supplication mentioned and praised in the verse includes all good aspects of this life and seeks refuge from all types of evil. The good of this life concerns every material request of well-being, spacious dwelling, pleasing mates, sufficient provision, beneficial knowledge, good profession or deeds, comfortable means of transportation and good praise, all of which the scholars of Tafsir have mentioned regarding this subject. All of these are but a part of the good that is sought in this life. As for the good of the Hereafter, the best of this includes acquiring Paradise, which also means acquiring safety from the greatest horror at the gathering place. It also refers to being questioned lightly and the other favors in the Hereafter. As for acquiring safety from the Fire, it includes being directed to what leads to this good end in this world, such as avoiding the prohibitions, sins of all kinds and doubtful matters.

Also read – Ikhlas – What and How to Attain it.

Conclusion…

While others around us are seeking fame, recognition, wealth and drowning in the adornment of this world, a true believer is going to aim much higher and wider because he knows he is seeking it from the One who can give him the best in both worlds. Therefore, a smart Muslim would beseech Allah, asking Him to bless him with the best of everything in dunya and akhira.

We all know the temporary nature of this dunya as opposed to the infinite moments we are going to spend in akhirah. But as humans, we sometimes tend to lose our focus because let’s admit it…this dunya is very alluring and tempting. And Jannah? Well…it is something we all yearn for but get sidetracked way too often. I pray this article acts as a means to help you attain the ultimate trophy of success – Jannah!

>>>Do you want to feel closer to Allah and taste the sweetness of iman, which can lead to a happy and content life? Click here to learn more.

Related Video – Key to Success – Mufti Menk

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