How Can We Be Among the Successful in This World and the Akhirah?
(Translated)

Allah Almighty says:

[الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا بِهِ وَعَزَّرُوهُ وَنَصَرُوهُ وَاتَّبَعُوا النُّورَ الَّذِي أُنْـزِلَ مَعَهُ أُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ]

“So they who have believed in him, honored him, supported him and followed the light which was sent down with him - it is those who will be the successful.” [Al-A‘raf: 157].

In the interpretation of Al-Tabari (may Allah have mercy on him), he states:

"Those who believe in the unlettered Prophet, acknowledge his prophethood, honor and revere him, protect and aid him against the enemies of Allah and his enemies by striving and waging war against them, and follow the Qur’an and Islam—those who perform these actions, as described by Allah Almighty regarding the followers of Muhammad (peace be upon him), are the ones who achieve success and attain what they seek and hope for through these deeds."

Allah Almighty has linked success in this aya and many other ayat to faith, righteous deeds, fulfilling His commands, and avoiding what He has prohibited. He says:

[قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَن زَكَّاهَا] “He has certainly succeeded who purifies himself” [Al-A‘la: 14]. And He (swt) says:

[يا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ارْكَعُوا وَاسْجُدُوا وَاعْبُدُوا رَبَّكُمْ وَافْعَلُوا الْخَيْرَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ]

“O you who have believed, bow and prostrate and worship your Lord and do good - that you may succeed.” [Al-Hajj: 77]. And He (swt) says:

[قَدْ أَفْلَحَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ * الَّذِينَ هُمْ فِي صَلَاتِهِمْ خَاشِعُونَ * وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ عَنِ اللَّغْوِ مُعْرِضُونَ * وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ لِلزَّكَاةِ فَاعِلُونَ * وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ لِفُرُوجِهِمْ حَافِظُونَ * إِلَّا عَلَى أَزْوَاجِهِمْ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُهُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ غَيْرُ مَلُومِينَ]

“Certainly will the believers have succeeded: *They who are during their prayer humbly submissive * And they who turn away from ill speech * And they who are observant of zakah * And they who guard their private parts * Except from their wives or those their right hands possess, for indeed, they will not be blamed” [Al-Mu’minun: 1-6]. And says:

[وَلْتَكُن مِّنكُمْ أُمَّةٌ يَدْعُونَ إِلَى الْخَيْرِ وَيَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ وَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ]

“And let there be [arising] from you a nation inviting to [all that is] good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, and those will be the successful.” [Aal-i-Imran: 104].

Allah has precisely outlined the path to success, making it clear and evident. He has made its sustenance the adherence to His commands, fulfilling His requirements, avoiding what is forbidden, and staying away from what displeases Him.

Success encompasses both this world and the Akhirah, whoever fears Allah, He (swt) makes his affairs easy, blesses his deeds, rectifies his soul, spouse, and children, provides him a way out in difficulties, grants him sustenance from unexpected sources, and suffices him. Moreover, He (swt) greatly rewards him for his patience during hardships. Some have said: "Success is achieving victory and attaining one's goal. In this world, it means achieving happiness that brings contentment in life. In the Akhirah, it consists of four things: eternal existence without end, honor without disgrace, wealth without poverty, and knowledge without ignorance."

Therefore, whoever seeks success in all aspects of this world must understand that its key lies in obedience to Allah alone and adherence to His Shari’, which in turn leads to triumph in the Akhirah. There is no other path to success; it is a single path that Allah has commanded us to follow:

[وأنّ هَذَا صِرَاطِي مُسْتَقِيماً فَاتَّبِعُوهُ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا السُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمْ عَنْ سَبِيلِه]

“And, [moreover], this is My path, which is straight, so follow it; and do not follow [other] ways, for you will be separated from His way.” [Al-An‘am: 153].

Moreover, one must be mindful of obstacles that may hinder this journey. The small number of people walking this path should not deter him, as long as he has been guided and realized that it is the only path to salvation. Allah (swt) warns us about this, saying:

[وَإِن تُطِعْ أَكْثَرَ مَن فِي الْأَرْضِ يُضِلُّوكَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللهِ]

“And if you obey most of those upon the earth, they will mislead you from the way of Allah.” [Al-An‘am: 116].

In today's world, the Muslim who seeks Allah’s pleasure and true success has become a stranger—a deep estrangement—because his values differ greatly from those of his society, and his concepts contrast with the prevailing ideas around him. If he does not strengthen himself and develop a strong, balanced Islamic personality, he will inevitably be influenced by the dominant culture and widespread ideologies.

The safeguard against this influence is the constant remembrance of Islamic principles and values, striving to make them firmly rooted and impactful in his mind and soul. He must measure all thoughts and prevailing societal norms by Islamic standards, ensuring that his moral compass is always directed correctly. This helps protect him from unknowingly adopting impure thoughts or inclinations and drives him to continuously refine and elevate his character.

Moreover, one must beware of fleeting desires and Satanic temptations that could divert him from the path of success, causing him to forsake eternal prosperity for the sake of temporary pleasures. These are the traps of Satan, through which he seeks to ensnare Allah’s servants. The way to escape them is by clinging to Allah, maintaining sincerity, and hastening to repentance whenever one sins, as Allah (swt) says:

[وَالَّذِينَ إِذَا فَعَلُواْ فَاحِشَةً أَوْ ظَلَمُواْ أَنْفُسَهُمْ ذَكَرُواْ اللهَ فَاسْتَغْفَرُواْ لِذُنُوبِهِمْ]

“And those who, when they commit an immorality or wrong themselves [by transgression], remember Allah and seek forgiveness for their sins” [Aal-i-Imran: 135].

Reaching the ultimate goal—earning the pleasure (ridha) of Allah (swt) and being among the successful—is not an easy task. The Jannah is surrounded by hardships, while Hell is surrounded by temptations. One must always remember that true success requires sacrifice, even if it means giving up certain permissible things for the sake of Allah (swt). He must be willing to give his very life for the cause of Allah. When he fully realizes this, the world will seem insignificant to him, and he will not become deeply attached to it like the majority of people. Instead, he will remain focused on the everlasting life to come.

O Allah, make us among the successful in this world and the Akhirah. Make this world the least of our concerns, and allow us to meet You while You are pleased with us, O Arham Ar-Rahmeen (Most Merciful).

Written for the Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir by
Minnatullah Taher