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Attaining Success

Posted on by Zahra

What is success? Everyone has a different definition of success – having your own house, having this degree, some title, having lots of followers on social media. But what is the real standard of success? Allah says: 

Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained [his desire]. And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion.

[Ali ‘Imran: 185]

Some on the Day of Judgement will be taken to Jahannam to be purified of their sins before they enter Jannah. In the above ayah, Allah tells us that true success is to not even go to the Fire, a direct flight to Jannah! Success isn’t what people chase after in Dunya. The Dunya is only a tool that we must use to earn the Akhirah. The deception of life is that we think we live forever. And when we become heedless, that’s when we fall prey. We begin to think that the Dunya is everything & we get busy chasing after it, forgetting the Akhirah. When we understand reality, we are able to cope with all the ups & downs of this life.

Stay alert, keep reminding yourself & strive for the real home of the Akhirah. That’s your goal. Keep your eyes on the prize and live with purpose.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “What is the parable of this worldly life, in comparison to the Hereafter, but one of you dipping his finger in the sea? Let him see what he brings forth.”

[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2858]

May Allah make us of those who enter Jannah bi ghairi hisab, Aameen! 

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An Attitude of Gratitude!

Posted on by Zahra

“And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, ‘If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.'”

(Surah Ibrahim : 7 )

The English translation doesn’t do justice to the Arabic of this ayah. Allah ﷻ actually uses emphasis 4 times here! This is to remove any doubt about the promise being made.

Someone gives you a gift. Wouldn’t you appreciate it, talk about it and want to return their favour? Every single thing that we have is from Allah ﷻ, whether it’s tangible (like our families, homes, food, transport, etc.) or intangible (knowledge, talent, freedom). How much gratitude does He deserve?

Allah ﷻ is teaching us a simple formula for success here: gratitude leads to increase of blessings. It also preserves the blessing. So whatever blessing you want an increase in, start by being grateful for what you already have. For example, if you want an increase in wealth, be grateful for all that you already have by thanking Allah and spending on others too.

Gratitude isn’t just in words and it’s not one-off, that we thank Allah and that’s it. It’s an attitude. It’s to feel thankful to Allah in the heart, to mention in words, and to express our gratitude with our actions – using the blessing to gain His Pleasure.

Often we become focused on the negatives in our life and complain. We must remember that if gratitude leads to preservation and increase, the opposite of this is also true. Ingratitude may lead to the blessing being taking away! (Bring to mind the story of the man with the two gardens in Surah Kahf)

Remember that there is always good in Allah’s plan for us, even when we can’t see it. Be positive and grateful despite the hardship, and you will definitely see Allah making things easy for you and giving you increase.

“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ  said, “When a slave is ill, Allah sends two angels to him and says to them, ‘Go and look what my slave says to his visitors’. If he praises Allah and lauds Allah when they come to him, they take that up to Allah, who knows best. Thereupon, Allah He says, ‘If I make my slave die, I will make him enter Paradise. If I heal him, I will replace his flesh with better flesh and his blood with better blood and I will efface his evil actions.'” [Muwatta, Ayn 5, (2; 940)]

Have an attitude of gratitude 💕

Photo by Gabrielle Henderson on Unsplash

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Ask for the “Impossible”!

Posted on by Zahra

This is one of my favorite ayahs and it’s from Surah Maryam.

Allah tells us about a dua made by Zachariah عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ. It has been preserved as a lesson for all time.

“He said, “My Lord, indeed my bones have weakened, and my head has filled with white, and never have I been in my supplication to You, my Lord, unhappy.”

(Maryam: 4)

See how Zachariah عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ describes himself. Can you imagine how old he had become? And what was this Prophet asking Allah for?

A child.

Zachariah عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ knew that it was impossible for someone in his state to have a child. But his eyes were fixed not on his own weaknesses but on Allah’s Power.

He is asking with so much hope – expressing how needy he is of Allah. Allah already knows but see how much detail he is using. He is saying: ‘Oh Allah, you have always answered my duas. You never left me empty-handed. I know you will respond to me.’

He didn’t know how Allah was going to do it but he knew that He would. He knew that Allah has no limitations.

He may have been old but his hope in Allah was massive.

The duas of the Prophets were so humble and hopeful. They were conversations with Allah.

Compare this to our duas. How often do we make formal, monotonous duas? How convinced are we that Allah will answer them?

This ayah teaches us how to make dua to Allah. Dua IS worship.

Don’t restrict your duas thinking of your resources. We aren’t asking ourselves, right? We are asking the One who has the treasures of the Heavens and the Earth. Nothing we ask Him is too great!

Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Allah the Almighty said: I am as My servant thinks I am…” (al-Bukhari)

So make dua being fully convinced that Allah will answer them.

Allah will give.

Allah will forgive.

Allah will protect.

He is Al-Qareeb, The Near One. He is closer to you than your jugular vein. He knows exactly what you are going through.

He is Al-Mujeeb, The Responsive One. He answers all your duas giving more than you even asked for ❤

Photo by raquel raclette on Unsplash