In Islam Quran is the word of God, therefore, whenever there is guidance required, Muslims rely on it and consider it the ultimate Guide that would show them the right path and resolve their dilemma. The reason why Muslims no longer enjoy the glory in the world which they used to do is the fact that they have limited the use of the Quran as a means of recitation for reward only and have left pondering over its meanings. Allah says:
يَا بَنِي آدَمَ خُذُوا زِينَتَكُمْ عِندَ كُلِّ مَسْجِدٍ وَكُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا وَلَا تُسْرِفُوا إِنَّهُ لَ
”O Children (of) Adam! Take your adornment at every masjid, and eat and drink but (do) not be extravagant. Indeed, He (does) not love the extravagant ones.” (Surah Al-A’raf, 7:31)
In all reality, God created us and in turn, He knows what’s best for us and those who do not know these truths feel they may lead happier and more comfortable lives when the limits are removed. A reading of the Quran with understanding is what is required from Muslims. Every verse of the Quran is a pearl and that pearl is unique in every aspect. Allah says:
وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَشْرِي نَفْسَهُ ابْتِغَاءَ مَرْضَاتِ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ رَءُوفٌ بِالْعِبَادِ
“And of the people (is the one) who sells his own self seeking pleasure (of) Allah. And Allah (is) full of Kindness to His servants.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:207)
In this life, we are tested and according to the morals and faith we show in this world God determines where our real-life will be lived, that being Hell or Heaven. The test is quite easy; God wishes for us simply to live the life that brings happiness and peace in this world; in short, to live our life in moderation.
Some Simple Steps to Building a Successful Mindset:
- Seek the companionship of others who have high aspirations
- It is always better to make note of what you have studied
- Do not postpone your preparation till the eleventh hour
- Stop looking at success as a distant achievement
- Do not study together merely for pleasure
- Set goals based on your definition
- Do not consider a glance enough
- Stop procrastinating
- Define your success
- Do not take your task lightly
- Find inspiration and motivation
- Create habits surrounding your goals
- That is, understand and live the Qur’an to seek Allah’s pleasure
- Never get entangled in fine points which have no relevance to real life
- Never say anything about the Qur’an without having given it full consideration
- You must always make all the preparations necessary to fulfil your responsibility
The purpose behind testing the Muslims is to check the kind of faith they have in Allah. It is in the times of despair we tend to reject whatever we believe in and go on the path of darkness, thus, the existence of trials is to differentiate the ones who believe in Allah and have true faith from those who simply proclaim Islam by tongue and their heart has doubts. Allah says:
الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَصَدُّوا عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ زِدْنَاهُمْ عَذَابًا فَوْقَ الْعَذَابِ بِمَا كَانُوا يُفْسِدُونَ
“And those who disbelieved and hindered from (the) way (of) Allah, We will increase them (in) punishment over punishment because they used (to) spread corruption.” (Surah An-Nahl, 16:89)
There is no better an ally than Allah Almighty, therefore, it is natural and perhaps the most logical thing to rely on Allah only. The focus of the life of a Muslim should be to move towards Allah, but it does not mean that human contacts or the importance of humans in life should be undermined in any way. Allah says:
وَاتْلُ مَا أُوحِيَ إِلَيْكَ مِن كِتَابِ رَبِّكَ لَا مُبَدِّلَ لِكَلِمَاتِهِ وَلَن تَجِدَ مِن دُونِهِ مُلْتَحَدًا
”And recite what has been revealed to you of the Book (of) your Lord. None can change His Words and never you will find besides Him a refuge.” (Surah Kahf 18: 27)
Allah can forgive whatever rights a person has towards Him, however, the rights of other humans on a person are something which only they can forgive and Allah will hold a person accountable for not fulfilling those rights. Muslims should be kind towards others. In addition to fulfilling the individual religious obligations, a Muslim must take care of the people around him or her and make sure that whatever rights they have are also fulfilled. Allah says:
قَوْلٌ مَّعْرُوفٌ وَمَغْفِرَةٌ خَيْرٌ مِّن صَدَقَةٍ يَتْبَعُهَا أَذًى وَاللَّهُ غَنِيٌّ حَلِيمٌ
“A word kind and (seeking) forgiveness (are) better than a charity followed [it] (by) hurt. And Allah (is) All-Sufficient, All-Forbearing.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:263)
Islam encourages concealment of the faults of others and a Muslim is not to backbite other people. Islam encourages its followers to live this worldly life in the best manner and is against abstinence. The first and foremost important thing that can help a believer live life in an Islamic way and achieve success through it is believing in God. Allah says:
عَسَىٰ رَبُّهُ إِن طَلَّقَكُنَّ أَن يُبْدِلَهُ أَزْوَاجًا خَيْرًا مِّنكُنَّ مُسْلِمَاتٍ مُّؤْمِنَاتٍ قَانِتَاتٍ تَائِبَاتٍ عَابِدَاتٍ سَائِحَاتٍ ثَيِّبَاتٍ وَأَبْكَارًا
”Perhaps his Lord, if he divorced you, [that] He will substitute for him wives better than you submissive, faithful, obedient, repentant, who worship, who fast, previously married and virgins.” (Quran, 66:6)
Thus, when doing good with others a Muslim must remember that the reward of it comes from Allah Almighty and that reward is the only success that a person should desire.
Ways to Enrich Your Life with the Quran:
- “Cleanliness is a part of Faith.” (Muslim)
- Reciting the Quran
- Teaching It to Others
- Respect yourself and your time
- Reading Translation and Exegesis
- The Quran should be adhered to in our daily life
Thus, to achieve success on Islamic principles, a believer needs to refrain from bad and commit to doing good no matter whatever the circumstances are.
Lessons from the Quran to Become a Better Muslim:
- The most selfish one letter word: I Avoid it!. Indeed, Allah does not like those who are self-deluding and boastful. (Quran 4:36)
- The most satisfying two-letter word: WE – Use it! “Allah’s guidance is the ˹only˺ true guidance. And we are commanded to submit to the Lord of all worlds, establish prayer, and be mindful of Him. To Him, you will all be gathered together. (Quran 6:71-72)
- The most poisonous three-letter word: EGO – Kill it! ”Surely those who believe and do good, their Lord will guide them ˹to Paradise˺ through their faith, and rivers will flow under their feet in the Gardens of Bliss..” (Quran 10:9)
- The most used four-letter word: LOVE – Value it! “[Believers], you are the best community singled out for people: you order what is right, forbid what is wrong, and believe in God.” (Qur’an, 3:110)
- The most pleasing five-letter word: SMILE – Keep it! Moreover, He is the One Who brings about joy and sadness. (Quran 53:43)
- The fastest spreading six-letter word: RUMOUR – Ignore it! ”Know that the life of this world is only playing and amusement, pomp and mutual boasting among you, and rivalry in respect of wealth and children.” (Quran, 57:20)
- The hardest working seven-letter word: SUCCESS- “Seek the life to come using what God has granted you, but do not neglect your rightful share in this world. Do good to others as God has done well to you.” (Qur’an, 28:77)
- The most enviable eight-letter word: JEALOUSY
- The most powerful nine-letter word: KNOWLEDGE (knowledge of Islam) – Acquire it! By the Quran, rich in wisdom! (Quran 36:2)
- The most essential ten-letter word: CONFIDENCE (Trust in Allah’s Guidance) – Trust it! Say, “Nothing will ever befall us except what Allah has destined for us. He is our Protector.” So in Allah let the believers put their trust. (Quran 9:51)
Therefore, if one wishes to walk in the way of good and receive guidance from Allah Almighty then it is imperative to strive and that too in the way of good for greater guidance and consequent reward. Allah says:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اصْبِرُوا وَصَابِرُوا وَرَابِطُوا وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ
“O you who believe[d]! Be steadfast and [be] patient and [be] constant and consciously revere Allah so that you may (be) successful.” (Surah Al ‘Imran, 3:200)
Thus, if Muslims wishes to achieve success, he or she needs to be steadfast in whatever activity they undertake and whatever kind of work they do daily. Being a Muslim it is the primary duty to be good and strives for spreading goodness. When there is goodness all around, the ultimate result is success for all. Allah says:
وَالَّذِينَ جَاهَدُوا فِينَا لَنَهْدِيَنَّهُمْ سُبُلَنَا وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَمَعَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ
“And those who strive for Us, We will surely, guide them (to) Our ways. And indeed, Allah surely (is) with the good-doers.” (Surah Al-Ankabut, 29:69)
If a Muslim starts relying on Allah, calls Him regularly, shows kindness towards others, avoid backbiting and understands that whatever troubles come in life are a test from Allah, then his or her life will surely change for better in all respects from all the perspectives. May Allah bless us with contented hearts, Ameen!
