Considering the fact that we live in a society that keeps on shifting the bar for what success should look like, more than ever it’s necessary to redefine how that actually looks like for you before you keep on chasing a mirage. On a daily basis when we hear the adhan, Allah gives us a guide to what success looks like:
Hayya ‘alas-Salah (x2): come to prayer
Hayya ‘alal-Falah (x2): come to success
When you think of the fact that your prayers will be the first thing you’ll be questioned about, which will either testify for or against you- why then wouldn’t you give it your best? And aside from the sense of obligation, Dr Haifa once gave an example of how a person would constantly look forward to a text from the one they love. Sometimes they’d even read it over and over again. Do we look forward to speaking to Allah as much? How many times do we find ourselves consciously making time for the ones we love even when we know we have a lot going on? But is the same energy extended towards Allah? Someone you love would be talking and you’d give them your full attention without any distractions but again, is the same energy extended towards Allah? This is a reminder to myself first and if we’re all feeling guilty while pondering on these questions then it means there’s work to do (as always). Another way of redefining what success should look like for you is how we reflect when Allah withholds something of the dunya from us. Having good thoughts of Allah is easier said than done. Trust me I know. But how beautiful is it that Allah tells us:
Al-Baqarah 2:45
وَٱسۡتَعِينُواْ بِٱلصَّبۡرِ وَٱلصَّلَوٰةِۚ وَإِنَّهَا لَكَبِيرَةٌ إِلَّا عَلَى ٱلۡخَٰشِعِينَ
“And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive [to Allah ]”
Every time I remember this I get so emotional thinking of how Allah has already acknowledged that it is in fact difficult. This ayah has been here long before we came to existence. Let that sit in because sometimes it may feel like you’re the only one that knows how difficult it is to keep up. Allah knows. But is knowing that always easy to remember? Absolutely not. Because it’s also very easy to get into a hole of thinking if He knows and nothing has changed, could it be that He doesn’t love me? And then the realisations come.
For everything that Allah has withheld, my reliance on Him has increased. Had those tests not happened, would I have been this reliant on Him? Would I have really learnt to take life one day at a time? Would I have learnt how to do istighfar with so much concentration? Would I have learnt what it truly means to leave my affairs with Allah and the internalisation of “For You are fully able whilst I am not, You know everything whilst I do not know anything, and You are the Knower of the unseen”? Would I have looked forward to meeting Allah and seeing Him in Jannah more than anything? Would I have appreciated the days my heart feels good knowing how the heaviness feels? Would I have been as grateful for my health as I am now? Would the “little things” have as much value as they currently do? Would I have been less judgy? Most importantly- could it be that all of these things have happened in my favor? That just maybe, my deeds would have never been enough to get me into Jannah, and just maybe, through my patience Jannah would be the prize.
The third way to redefine what success should look like is reflecting on this part of the adhan:
Allahu Akbar (2): Allah is the greatest
La ilaha illallah: There is none worthy of worship in truth except Allah
There’s a beautiful explanation that Yasmin Mogahed made in reclaim your heart. She mentioned how Allah created us in such a way that there’s something at the core of our hearts that gives us the urge to worship. One might think they only worship Allah alone but in reality it might not be the case. Seeking wealth might become the driving force in such a way that you do anything and everything without considering the consequences. Seeking the admiration of people might be your driving force in a way that “what would others think?” is the only thing that keeps you going. Sometimes it’s even pleasing yourself that becomes the goal at the expense of pleasing Allah. For everything one might unintentionally worship, we must ask ourselves: Who created those things? Wealth belongs to Allah. We’re only guardians of it. Allah created the people and He can easily destroy them if He wishes. Our souls belong to Allah so really, if we think we’re as rational as we are, wouldn’t the sensible thing be to worship Allah truly and love every other thing through Him? This doesn’t mean wealth is bad but the perspective when seeking it should be bearing in mind that wealth belongs to Allah, you will do your best to seek it but also knowing that Allah is the one that gives and anything devoid of His barakah is useless. Love how the author of Islamic Finance for dummies explained this:
“The economic problem at the heart of debate- "how does an economy satisfy unlimited wants with limited resources?" can't arise because Islam doesn't accept that all human wants must be fulfilled. The religion establishes limits on demand based on guidance from Allah. Islam promotes moderate consumption & prohibits extravagant spending. A core concept is knowing Allah is the owner of all wealth & humans are merely its trustees.
There's no shame to feel wealthy provided that your behavior aligns with Islam.”
Whenever I think of this I can’t help but be giddy because in this world that we live in, this has become more important than ever:
Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “Verily, we were a disgraceful people and Allah honored us with Islam. If we seek honor from anything besides that with which Allah honored us, Allah will disgrace us.”
Contrary to what we’re fed, pleasing yourself should not be your ultimate goal. Through Islam, Allah gives us the ability to tame ourselves so how can’t we be grateful? There’s no need to constantly consume and I don’t mean from a commodity perspective only. But even with the way we interact with people. One must constantly ask themselves “how much does this align with Islam?” and move accordingly. Generally speaking, just because everyone is doing something doesn’t mean you must do it unless you know Allah is okay with it. I feel like I went off point but oh well, it is what it is.
“My feelings, desires, thoughts and inner longings all succumb to the sovereignty of Allah. If doing something that pleases Him, doesn't please you, then force it till it pleases you. A great issue today is that people satisfy the self and pacify their every whim.”
Finally (or not), let’s learn to be okay with not knowing what the plan is and still hoping for the best from Allah. Knowing He will give us and we will be pleased. You don’t always have to have it figured out but you must always seek Allah’s guidance and think the best of Him.
“The Du’a of Istikharah is like a warm embrace reassuring us that it's OK not to know, as long as the One who Knows All Things is with us every step of the way. Nothing teaches us humility than the realisation that we truly do not know any better. That all we can see is just what's in front of us - but Allah SWT knows our past, present and future. He sees everything that we can't, and He knows everything that is Hidden and Secret. And only He can make anything difficult easy, and only He can open doors that we never even thought existed!”
"Whatever (evil) you know about yourself should not prevent you from making du’a, because Allah accepted the du’a of the worst of Allah's creation.
Iblis said, My Lord, give me respite until the Day when they are resurrected.'
(Allah) said, “You are of those given respite."
Back to the redefinition of success thing, we know that Iman goes up and down. This is a given so that means we can’t get too comfortable and not do anything that actively engages our soul. One way to do that is by having a structure/plan in place whether or not you already have a teacher.
At the beginning of the week you could make a timetable for all the things you hope to achieve deen wise (or just do it today so that the intention counts if you die in the next 17 minutes). If you’re trying to work on your nawafil prayers, you could start with the sunnah prayers before fajr even if it’s twice a week, you could plan the number of pages of the Qur’an you’d like to read for the week, how many minutes you’d like to target towards tadabbur, or start memorizing the Qur’an and not let shaytan get the best of you. Plan to give sadaqah at least once a week, learn one Hadith a week, learn about ‘the firsts’, relearn the obligatory and sunnah parts of wuḍūʾ, learn how to pray properly again without holding on so much to what you learnt as a child. Also, maybe you should consider addressing your emotions and how things have affected you, rather than keeping them in that imaginary box that’s supposed to stay close forever. Just saying though.
*leaves random pink emojis just because*
💕💐🌸💘💝🎀
Al-Baqarah 2:45
وَٱسۡتَعِينُواْ بِٱلصَّبۡرِ وَٱلصَّلَوٰةِۚ وَإِنَّهَا لَكَبِيرَةٌ إِلَّا عَلَى ٱلۡخَٰشِعِينَ
“And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive [to Allah ]”
This has entirely changed my perspective. Patience is truly the perfect foundation to serving Allah. Jazakillah Khairan for this wonderful read
💘💗💕💓🌸💘💝🌷- random pink emoji for your great piece! Much needed, may Allah continue to increase you in beneficial knowledge. Amin Ya Rabbi