Some dangers can hinder us from achieving the success that we desire in this life. Let’s examine a few of these dangers and how to address them from an Islamic perspective.
The first danger is our pursuit of perfection. Sometimes, we overthink everything and believe that if we can’t do something right then it’s not worth doing, or if we can’t do something better than ‘so-and-so’ then it’s not even worth trying. For example, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) who was the most perfect person created by Allah (SWT) made a mistake in the Asr prayer one time by praying five rakats instead of four. After the prayer, our Nabi (SAW) saw the people looking bewildered and one person approached him (SAW) with the courage to ask if Asr is now five rakats instead of four, as he explained to the Prophet (SAW) that he performed five rakats and the congregation followed what he (SAW) did. Our Nabi (SAW) replied, “I’m only a human being. I forget as you forget.” We might not know this but the Prophet (SAW) missed two prayers in his life and both due to the war situation with Quraish.
The lesson we learn regarding perfectionism is that it’s always better to try. If we wait until receiving perfect knowledge or conditions to start something then we’ll never achieve success, confront challenges, or broaden our horizons. We must constantly move forward with tawakkal or trust in Allah (SWT).
The second danger to our success is the concept of “I’. Many times, we claim that our success is from our efforts alone and don’t acknowledge the help of others and the blessings and opportunities given by Allah (SWT) to be able to achieve success. One of the most hated words to Allah (SWT) is ‘ana’ meaning I or me or myself. This is the description that Satan uses for himself that the Prophet (SAW) instructs us to back off from and never think of ourselves as being the sole source of the good in our lives.
We aren’t the ones who create ourselves and produce our successes. We need to have trust in Allah (SWT) and realize that it is MashAllah la hawla wala quwwata illa billah, there is no power and no strength except with Allah. We must remember that it’s always what Allah (SWT) has given us that benefits us and it’s only Him (SWT) that gives us the power and energy. No matter how brilliant or hard-working we believe we are, it is continuously the virtue of others that we attain success, and anyone who goes it alone is destined to fail.
If going solo is the formula for success then our Nabi (SAW) wouldn’t need the Sahabah or his companions. He (SAW) wouldn’t have needed the likes of Abu Bakr (RA) in the cave with him, the strength of Umar (RA), the wealth of Uthman (RA), or the wisdom, courage, and bravery of Hazrat Ali (AS). Besides our Prophet (SAW), Musa (AS) asked Allah (SWT) to give his brother Harun (AS) to him as a helper in his journey as Musa (AS) acknowledges that he can’t do it alone.
The third danger is our inability to restrain ourselves, not learning how to hold ourselves back, be it in a moment of anger, desire, excess, wanting, or giving. When we should have greater control of ourselves, we lose it and don’t hold ourselves accountable.
The choice is ours regarding what path we want to travel in life. We can sit and do nothing or wait until someone tells us what to do or begin taking action to accomplish the success that we desire.
A man asked the Prophet (SAW) why should he be responsible for doing anything as Allah (SWT) knows everything about everyone’s fate and so, isn’t it better to sit and wait for what Allah (SWT) knows is going to happen. Our Nabi (SAW) replied, “Everyone will only do what Allah (SWT) knows what they will do.” In other words, everyone will choose what they are going to do. We decide the path to travel on but it’s Allah (SWT) who knows the outcome of this choice.
Allah (SWT) tells us in the Holy Quran (Surah Al-Insan Ayat 3), “Surely We showed him the Right Path, regardless of whether he chooses to be thankful or unthankful (to his Lord).” This ayat again emphasizes that the choice is ours to be righteous or immoral, to do good or bad. This is also reinforced by our Nabi (SAW), “All of mankind wakes up in the morning the merchant of his own soul. So, he either imprisons it or sets it free.” (Sahih Muslim 223)
We should remember these lessons, first, we don’t have to be perfect or be better than someone else to attain success. Just focus on what is ahead of us, no need to keep looking over our shoulders. Second, we must realize in our hearts that it’s Allah (SWT) that provides us the opportunities, tools, and blessings to achieve success. Lastly, we need to learn to hold ourselves back and hold ourselves accountable. Nobody will give us success unless we take responsibility and choose to succeed.
