019 What is Success?

CULTURE OF ISLAM

019 What is Success?

Imtiaz Muhsin 28-Jan-11

The main objective of these talks (and therefore the scripts of these talks), is to stimulate thinking. Sensible, rational and logical thinking. So, my message, think, think & think! Be sensible, be rational and be logical.

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019 What Is Success?

Please Note

1. I have had the great privilege, (since Aug 2010), of presenting talks on the weekly Radio Program ‘Culture of Islam’ [Every Friday 8 to 8.30 pm, Radio Sri Lanka - FM 97.4 ] 2. Since these are Radio Talks, I refer to, or address the audience as ‘listeners’ 3. I am well aware that the audience to these talks would consist of people belonging to a variety of  faiths. So as to make people of all faiths feel included, I very often use words and names that are common to all religions. 4. For these reasons, I use the name GOD, as well as Abraham, Moses, Jesus etc as well as the names Allah, Ibrahim (Alaihis Salaam), Moosa (Alaihis Salaam), Easa (Alaihis Salaam) etc Muhammad 5. Muslims by habit usually say ‘Sallallahu Alaihiwasallam’, when the name of Prophet Muhammad is mentioned, and ‘Alaihis Salaam' when the name of a Prophet is mentioned. However, However, in these series of talks I have reduced the use of these prayers & sayings to the bare minimum. 6. Muslims, also by habit, use a number of Arabic prayers or sayings, such as Alhamdulillah, Insha Allah and so on. Again, I have reduced the use of these prayers or sayings to the bare minimum. 7. Sometimes I have to write Arabic words in the English script. I have devised my own way of writing Arabic in English, as follows;

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DHL

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DHZ

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Information on these talks along with all download links can be found on my on my Blog (http://imtiazm.wordpress.com/) The dates or the schedules of these t hese talks can be viewed on the Facebook Page (http://www.facebook.com/ImtiazMuhsin786) The Scripts of these talks can be downloaded from www.ScribD.com (www.ScribD.com Author – Imtiaz Muhsin) The audio files of these talks can be downloaded from YouTube (YouTube Channel  – Imtiaz Muhsin) The YouTube Link to this talk is at

All Praise and Thanks is due to Allah and Allah alone Alhamdulillah!

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019 What Is Success?

019 What Is SUCCESS? Dear Friends, Assalamu Alaikum, Every Muslim has this deep conviction –  conviction  – that that it is only Allah Ta’ala who can give success, the real ultimate everlasting success and that a mandatory ingredient for this success is the correct  belief in Allah Ta’ala whilst following with wisdom the life and and ways of his final Prophet Muhammad (Sal) Today, Alhamdulillah, we have a Muslim population of over 1 billion persons all over the World living as Muslim Communities in over 200 countries. But somehow, we do not read or hear or see in the media, reports that indicate that Muslims as a global or a local community are successful or  models of success. What we hear, read or see in the media, are stories that portray Muslims as terrorists, as dogmatic, as insensitive, as uneducated, as communities living in poverty. When we do read reports on Muslims who are rich or powerful, (usuall y portrayed as Oil Sheiks), we read about their extravagance, their opulence, their ulter ior dealings within the corridors of  global power and their corruption. Why is this? At the same time, do we also not see, hear, read and watch on Media Channels the growing religiousness of Muslims all over the World? Muslims world-over are apparently becoming more religious. This is evident i n the growing numbers at prayers. This is evident at the growing numbers of overflowing Mosques, the growing number of Muslims both Male and Female falling in line with a dress code as well as an appearance code. The dress code of the Muslim ladies has frightened the West whilst the dress and appearance code of the male Muslim is being demonized by the West. A cap, a beard and long Kurtha or Thope is being portrayed as the uniform of terrorists. And then, paradoxically do we also not see, hear, read or watch on Media Channels the disunity of Muslim Leaders all over the World. In spite of pressing social issues impacting on the Muslim communities these leaders are unable to come up with any proposals for solutions and invariably are coerced into discussing proposals put forward by third parties under the dubious guise of peacemakers, who give the appearance that their only interest is sincerity, the sincere objective of seeing Muslims united and living in peace! Shocking isn’t it? Why is this?

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019 What Is Success?

On one hand we say that success is in following foll owing Islam and we find growing numbers of Muslims apparently becoming more religious, whilst on the other hand the success that we are expecting is elusive it is just not showing . Why is this? Recently an Email that was doing its rounds as a wakeup call to Muslims, cited facts that compared the Global Muslim Population with the Global Jewish Population. The criteria for comparison reflected the poor worldly performances of Muslims as a global community. Some of the figures mentioned were; World Jewish Population –  Population – 14 14 Million World Muslim Population 1.5 Billion That is, there are more than 100 Muslims for every Jew It goes on to mention names of well known personalities, who in the last century have made a  positive impact on society, on history, on on discoveries in Medicine and Technology –  Technology – there there are a number of prominent Jews in that list and no Muslims. Muslims. It bemoans the fact that in the last 105 years Jews have won 180 Nobel Prizes in a variety of fields whilst only 3 Muslims have had the honor. Jews have many personalities who feature as influential global businessmen, influential intellectuals and statesmen, influential in i n the global media and as global philanthropists whilst there were no names worth listing from amongst the Muslims. It mentions that in the 57 Muslim countries there are only 500 Universities whilst the USA alone  boasts 5,578 and India alone has has 8,407 Universities. It mentions that literacy in the Christian World is 90% whilst in the Muslim World it is less than 40% Many other facts and figures are given to demonstrate that Muslims as a global community lack  direction and are underachievers. Why are we Muslims in this plight? We firmly believe that through Islam we will achieve s uccess and this success is not limited to the next world only, but it should also be evident in this world too. Then we have this thought, tho ught, ‘If I am not successful in this life l ife or this world, then how can I be assured of success in the hereafter?’ Then we begin to ask this very pertinent question; ‘What do we mean by ‘ Success Success in this World ’?’  ’?’  In our attempt to search for reasons to explain our dilemma we can attempt to find out causes of  this apparent shortcoming in success in this world through making 3 assumptions and studying all 3 of them.

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019 What Is Success?

The first assumption we would have to make is with regard to the practice of Islam. We Muslims firmly believe that if we practice pr actice Islam properly then, we would have success . But then, apparently, we do not have success, Then can we assume that maybe we are not practi cing Islam properly (?!!) The second assumption we would have to make is with regard to our ou r belief in Allah Ta’ala. Ta’ala. We say that if we practice Islam properly, which would include having the correct belief which we refer to as Imaan; in Allah Ta’ala along with a proper understanding of all His attributes we would have success. But then, apparently, we do not have success. Then can we assume that maybe our belief in Allah Ta’ala is flawed or weak and our  understanding of all or maybe even some of His attributes is flawed? The third assumption we would have to make is with regard to the concept of this word itself.

To the World, ‘success’ success’ means the accumulation of wealth, power, influential positions and so on. We refer to these as ‘worldly’ worldly’ materials or worldly pursuits. Is this the Muslims definition of success? As Muslims when we say ‘success’ do we refer to t o the accumulation of wealth, influence and  power?  Now we come to the tricky part. The word success or ‘ or ‘Falah’ Falah’ appears in the Quran in many forms. One of those forms is ‘Muflihoon’ Muflihoon’ or those who are successful. This refers to the real success. Let us see how Allah describes this in the Quran. Allah Ta’ala begins Surah Baqara by infor ming ming us (2:2) That Book has no doubt in it - a guidance for the MutthaQeen (the Godfearing),

﴾             

A Muttaqi is usually translated to mean God fearing feari ng person. So, then what are the qualities of a Muttaqi? Allah Ta’ala answers this in the very next Aayath in which he describes 3 important qualities or  qualifications of a Muttaqi

(2:3) who believe in t he Ghaib (the Unseen), and are steadfast in Salāh (prayer), and spend out of what We have provided them;

                  ﴾   

Allah Ta’ala further elaborates on their qualities, by saying; (2:4) and who believe in what has been revealed to you and what has been revealed  before you; and they have faith faith in the Hereafter.

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019 What Is Success?

                ﴾      

So Allah Ta’ala has mentioned the 6 qualities of which the first 3 constitute a Muttaqi and then Allah Ta’ala says;

(2:5) It is these who are guided by their Rabb; and it is just these who are successful.

﴾                 

So it is a Muttaqi who is successful and more it is the Muttaqies who are rightly guided. For us to get a better understanding of a Muttaqi we must discuss as topics the te rms, Ghaib, Salaath and mimma razaqnaa hum yunfiqoon . (Insha Allah we will discuss these topics in more detail at future programs) Again in Surah Mu’ Mu ’monoon (Surah No 23) Allah Ta’ala Ta’ala very clearly informs us about success. Allah Ta’ala says; (23:1) Success is really attained by the  believers (23:2) who concentrate their attention in humbleness when offering Salāh (prayers) (23:3) and who keep themselves away from vain things, (23:4) and who are performers of Zakāh ,

(23:5) and who guard their private parts

(23:6) except from their wives or from t hose (bondwomen who are) owned by their hands, as they are not to be blamed. (23:7) However, those who seek beyond that are the transgressors (23:8) - and (succes ( successs is attained) by those who honestly look after their trusts and covenant, (23:9) and who consistently observe their   prayers. (23:10) Those are the inheritors (23:11) who will inherit Firdaus (the Paradise). They will be there forever.

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019 What Is Success?

               ﴾ ﴾                   ﴾             ﴾            ﴾         ﴾            

﴾   ﴾      ﴾      ﴾      ﴾                     

So we can clearly see that Allah Ta’ala does not associate success with the accumulation of  material wealth and worldly power. In fact it is very clear that Allah Ta’ala associates and grants success, success, the real success, to those who pursue qualities of devotion, humility, humilit y, obedience and worship.  Now let us logically work out whether whether the possession of wealth and power can be called successful. Let us see what how the Holy Quran instructs us with r egard to trade.

(4:29) O you who believe, do not devour  each other’s property by false means, unless it is trade t rade conducted with your mutual consent. Do not kill one another. Indeed, Allah has been Very-Merciful to you.

                                     ﴾      

In brief what Allah Ta’ala tells us about trade is; 1. Do not indulge in Baathil - False means, 2. Tijaarathan an taraadhin minkum - Trade with mutual consent (taraadhin comes from the word radhu which means ‘they are pleased or they are satisfied’) and 3. Do not kill or destroy destro y one another  Let us now just think about how business is conducted –  conducted  – let let us view it from how people deal with us rather than how we deal with people –  people  – in in this way what we discuss would be more palatable. In business we have clear cut rules. I give you an agreed amount of money and you give me the agreed amount of goods and / or the service. If the deal is completed as agreed, then we are in ‘white’ area,  but if I under pay or the goods goods and /or services does not meet with what we agreed, then the  business fails and we are in ‘black’ area. Is there only a white and a black area in business? On paper we would say yes, but deep in our conscience we would say ‘no’ Most often there is something about the transaction that makes us very unhappy. These matters of unhappiness (with regard to our conscience) we term ‘grey’ areas. What are these ‘grey’ areas? areas? It is the areas that make us feel played out, or taken advantage of during a simple transaction. The transaction (on the outside) looks perfect but deep inside, our conscience is squirming, writhing in anger, wondering how to hit back at the person who in our opinion is playing us out. We say business is a ‘rat race’ we even describe it as ‘rat eats rat’ – those – those elements in business that fall into the description ‘rat race’ and ‘rat eats rat’ is only what constitutes the ‘grey area’ This is not conducted with mutual consent.

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019 What Is Success?

Laa Takuloo Amwaalakum Bainakum bil BaaTHili –  BaaTHili  – Do Do not eat each other’s property by false means –  means – would would in fact be referring to what we call the ‘rat race’ Walaa thaQthuloo anfusakum –  anfusakum – do do not destroy each other  – would  – would in fact be referring to ‘rat eats rat’ Illaa an Takoona Tijaarathan an taraadhin minkum –  minkum  – but but that there be business with mutual satisfaction In business what actually happens is that both parties are jockeying for advantage, everyone tries to take advantage of the other person’s fears and weaknesses. We are bullied, we are held to ransom, we are not paid on time, our payments are purposely delayed by being downgraded , we are given ‘Post Dated Cheque Ch eques’ s’ even though we were craftily led into thinking we were getting cash. If we underpay by even one rupee, we would have to pay up eventually. However shortcomings in quality of goods or in timing of delivery do not meet with any compensation. The loss is ours to bear. Goods could be of poor quality; the supplier would describe what was agreed to but then the goods would fall short in many aspects or criteria which were not s poken about during the transaction. We feel ‘ripped off’ by our Doctors, by our Lawyers, by our Tax Dept, Dept, by our Bankers, by the Customs Dept, by the Municipalities, by our Superiors in our work place, by our juniors in our   place of work, by our employees employees those who are employed by us , by our neighbors, neighbors, by our own close relatives, by the Electricit y Dept, by the Water Board, by our Landlord, by our tenants, by the schools and the teachers to whom we send or entrust our children, by the vegetable seller, by the butcher, by the Trishaw driver and even the bus conductor when he short changes us and then scolds us for not bringing change money. This list could go on and on, and on. Let me give you a few simple examples; Sometimes we see poor people who are forced to go in search of s ome assistance or service. Some wealthy professional wealthy professional would advise them under the guise of ‘helping these these poor fellows’ The professional then extracts a few thousands from this poor weak person, who is actually  paying through debt, or his blood and sweat, depriving many basics to his family, and then that night we see this professional happily taking his wife and children to an expensive Chinese Restaurant for dinner. The dinner is actually paid for by the poor person or persons who came se eking his professional advice and assistance. Allah Ta’ala instructs us as follows, in Surah MuddaSSir; (74:6) and do not do a favour (to anyone merely) to seek more (in return). (74:7) And for the sake of your Rabb, observe patience.

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019 What Is Success?

﴾        ﴾    

We all approach business through advertising. We call it ‘marketing’ marketing’ It is our attempts to ‘net in’ in’ more customers. Many of us do it through placing advertisements. These advertisements appear on Pasters, magazines, ma gazines, Banners, newspapers and on Radio and TV. Do we all not realize that all these ads are pure falsehoods fal sehoods designed to entice us? We give it a nice description. We call it ‘sales talk’ and the better your sales talk ta lk the more you earn. You learn how to lie craftily. You learn to tell people ‘If you give me money, I will give this item to you free!’ And people believe you! So when Allah Ta’ala says that business should be conducted without falsehood, with mutual consent and without destroying each other, could we claim that that is how we ar e conducting our   business and thus Alhamdulillah, our business our earnings and therefore our wealth and and our   power and therefore our success is in fact pure? Could we claim that all this wealth we have accumulated and all this power we display has been obtained with the blessings of Allah Ta’ala or with the curse of Allah Ta’ala tog ether with the curses of our own business associates combined? Could we call this success? In Aayath No’s 18 & 19 of Surah Isra (Surah No 17) Allah Ta’ala gives us this advice as a strict warning;

(17:18) Whoever opts for the immediate (benefits from) life herein, We give him, right here in this life, as much as We will, to whomever We intend. Then We assign Jahannam for him where he shall enter  condemned, discarded.

(17:19) And whoever opts for the Hereafter  and makes efforts for it as due, while he is a  believer, then, the effort of such such people is appreciated!

                      ﴾                                      ﴾     

So then one important ingredient of success is not what we eaerned, but how we earned it. We should not go into the grey areas. This needs a struggle this needs effort. This is not effort on money or on goods but effort on our conscience or effort on our ‘Nafs’ This is difficult; this is what Allah loves and appreciates. This is what would give us true success. This development or this process is actually a huge test Allah Ta’ala has kept for us.

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019 What Is Success?

Dear listeners, I am sure that everyone of you listening would be thinking, ‘OK, I want to  perfectly honest in my dealings, I want to trade or serve with a clear, pure conscience, but then in this rat race the others would look on this resolution of mine as a weakness and take advantage  – I  – I would find that I am telling the complete truth whilst others are craftily deceiving me and keeping me to face the losses, and what happens if or when I lose? Well the short answer would be;

﴾        ﴾    

(74:6) and do not do a favour f avour (to anyone merely) to seek more (in return). (74:7) And for the sake of your Rabb, observe patience.

The more detailed and promising Aayaths would be Aayath No’s 155 to 157 from Surah Baqara which states as follows;

(2:155) Surely We will test you with a  bit of fear and hunger, and loss in wealth and lives and fruits, and give good tidings to the patient.

(2:156) who, when a suffering visits them, say: “We certainly belong to Allah, and to Him we are bound to return.” (2:157) Those are the ones upon whom there are blessings from their Lord, and mercy as well; and those are the ones who are on the right path.

             ﴾                             ﴾                   ﴾      

Did we not read earlier in our discussion discussi on how Allah Ta’ala describes those who are Muttaqies and then informs us;

(2:5) It is these who are guided by their  Rabb; and it is just these who are successful.

               ﴾

Ulaa’ika gala hudham minrabbihim, wa ulaaika ula aika humul muflihoonn. So could we not deduce that those who strive to do business as instructed by Allah Ta’al a and are tested with losses and respond with steadfastness and patience and say Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilaihi Ilai hi Rajioon, have demonstrated that they fear Allah, thus are Muttaqies, Allah informs us that they are Muhthdhoon or are receiving right guidance and are also successful.

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019 What Is Success?

So dear listeners, in this short discussion, the lesson we all learnt is that success does not lie in accumulating wealth and power but in how we meet situations with Taqwa and right behavior. So to be a successful Muslim we do not have to compete to be better Jews than the Jews, or better  Christians than the Christians or better Buddhists than the Buddhists. For us Muslims the criteria for success as instructed in the Holy Quran is something far superior  to just he enticing mundane worldly gains. I sincerely pray and hope that all of you benefit from these talks as much as I have benefitted from doing research from the Quran and then preparing and presenting these talks to you. May Allah Ta’aalah guide us all and accept us all . Jazza Kalla Khairan. Assalamu Alaikum

Imtiaz Muhsin

Colombo Sri Lanka [email protected]

You Tube Channel - HaneefanMusliman

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019 What Is Success?