Success in this world

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  In Dr. Muhsin Khan's Quran translation the word "success" appears 83 times in 82 verses. None of these verses says that a successful person is the one who had got wealth, money, mansions, wives, children, fame, good education or status. The first few verses of Surah Al Baqarah high lights the qualities of a successful person in this world.
2. This is the Book (the Qur'an), whereof there is no doubt, a guidance to those who are Al-Muttaqun[the pious and righteous persons who fear Allah much (abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which He has forbidden) and love Allah much (perform all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained)].
3. Who believe in the Ghaiband perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat),and spend out of what we have provided for them [i.e. give Zakat, spend on themselves, their parents, their children, their wives, etc., and also give charity to the poor and also in Allah's Cause - Jihad, etc.].
4. And who believe in (the Qur'an and the Sunnah)which has been sent down (revealed) to you (Muhammad Peace be upon him) and in [the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel), etc.] which were sent down before you and they believe with certainty in the Hereafter. (Resurrection, a recompense of their good and bad deeds, Paradise and Hell, etc.).
5. They are on (true) guidance from their Lord, and they are the successful (Baqarah 2-5).
 So by reading these verses we know that real success in this world is achieved bybelieving in Allah (swa) and using this worldly life to harvest good deeds so that the good deeds will sustain you in the Hereafter! Our Prophet Muhammad (saw), his companions and the salaf had said countless statements that belittle this worldly life.
Life of this world and the hereafter.
      Allah (swa) says in Quran “Truly, this life of the world is nothing but a (quick passing) enjoyment, and verily, the Hereafter that is the home that will remain forever.”(40:30)
      From this verse we know that this worldly life is short lived and all the blessings and mercy of Allah (swa) is in the Hereafter which is eternal.  But the reality is that knowing all this we are investing this worldly life heedlessly accumulating wealth and materialistic needs. Is this is the success you acquire?
Allah (swa) says “And know that your possessions and your children are but a trial and that surely, with Allah (swa) is a mighty reward”. (8:28)
      So if all these materialistic possessions are worthless compared to the rewards of Allah (swa) how can we use these possessions and worldly life to benefit us for the Hereafter? 
   The second Caliph of the Muslim Umar bin Khattab (ra) said that “Zuhud (modesty) in this life brings comfort to the heart and the body”. Imam Ahmed described Zuhud towards this worldly life as pertains to having short hopes.
      Hassan Al Basari said “I met some people who would not feel elation at anything that they earn in this life, nor grieve for anything in it that they do not acquire”.
      Yahya bin Mu’adh said “How can I not love a life in which I have my provision, earn my livelihood and live to perform acts of obedience on account of which I earn Paradise”.
      Al –Hassan Al-Basari said “Stay away from busying aspects of life, and surely, life has abundant aspects. Every man who indulges in an aspect of life that fills his time, then that door he opened will open ten more doors of busying aspects of life.”
      Ibn As-Simaak said “If life lures one to taste its delights because his heart covets life, the Hereafter will make him taste its bitterness because his heart turned away from it”.
Status of our Ummah.
      The Muslims throughout the world had been deluded by the beliefs, ethics and cultures of non-Muslims. The western beliefs, ethics and cultures are deliberately introduced to Islamic communities by non-Muslims as a part of long term propaganda to weaken our faith so we can be defeated and the richness of our lands can be stolen. Since the day Islam was sent down by Allah (swa) as a religion for the Human kind, the enemies of this religion had tried to stop the expansion of the Islamic small empire by force. But they were defeated by the fearless Muslims who desired Martyrdom over this materialistic world.
     So the enemies of Islam started a psychological war. The aim of this war was to delude the Muslims in materialism. When the Muslims chose the materialism over the eternal blessings of Hereafter the Muslims were defeated by the enemies of Islam.  If you look at the Islamic world today, we can see that Muslims are heedless of their covenant to Allah (swa) and they are running after the worldly materialistic needs while Muslim brothers and sisters are massacred in front of the whole world.
Final advice.
     One of our salaf said “O son of Adam, you need your share from this life, but more so, you need your share in the Hereafter. If you take care of your share in this life first, you will lose share in the Hereafter and will soon lose your share in this life, as well. If you take care of your share in the Hereafter first, you will also win your share in this life and enjoy it perfectly”.
     So my brothers and sisters wake up from the illusions of this world which the Satan had beautified us ! Had the time not arrived to ask forgiveness for the countless sins we have committed ! Or are you a slave of Allah (swa) or are you a slave of this world and Satan ? Those who follow their desires and lusts in this world, Allah (swa) will full fill their needs in this world but in the Hereafter they will be at loss.

Signs of weak faith 2

10-Being mean and miserly,i.e. not wanting to part with wealth.

        Wasting your wealth ,being stingy, spending money on committing sins and spreading sins, these are major signs of weakness of faith. If you look at the countries like Somalia, Muslim brothers and Sisters are dying from famine. But the rich Islamic countries are heedless gathering wealth and using it miserly to gather more wealth. Wealth is given to us by Allah (swa) and Allah (swa) can take the wealth instantly. For once ponder into the story of the Qaroon. He gathered so much wealth that the keys of his treasure were difficult to lift by body of able men. He became so proud and arrogant that he told that the wealth he attained is from his intelligence not because Allah (swa) gave it to him. On top of this he used his wealth to defame Moosa (as). So Allah (swa) sunk him to the Earth with all his wealth. So fear Allah (swa) and spend the wealth Allah (swa) had given us in His way.

11- Ordering others to do good deeds when not practicing them ourselves.

       It is very common to see that we order or advice others to do good deeds but that person doesn't practice it. I have seen fathers and mothers who smoke but they themselves don't want their children to do it. But the funny thing is they smoke in front of their kids. Likewise some parents they don't perform the prayers but they want their children to do it. This is not the way we should advice or order people to do good deeds.
      There is a story of a child who ate sugar too much. So his father was very concerned about the whole thing and he wanted to take him to a pious person to advice his child. So the Father and Son went to see this pious person and they told him why they come to see him. So that pious person thought for few minutes and told the Father to come back within a certain time period. So they went away and came back within that time. When they came in the pious person simply said to the child to stop eating sugar. The Father was bit dazzled by the simple advice. So the father asked the pious person why they had to wait this long to hear that simple advice. The pious person said “how can I ask your son to stop eating sugar while I am doing the same thing, so I took the time period I told you to wait to stop eating sugar too". This is the right way to advice someone! First we should be upright!

12- Feeling pleased when things are not progressing for others. 

        Muslims are like a single body. If a part of the body is injured or in pain the whole body feels it. The Muslims when they see their brothers and sisters suffering they feel the same suffering as their brothers and sisters are suffering. Some people are pleased to see other Muslim not progressing or suffering. Islam is the religion which brought us together as brothers and sisters. We were a one Nation without borders. But Nationalism had divided us making us rivals. Racism and Nationalism are thorns in our path way to form a one Nation. Now what we see is two Muslim countries side by side fighting each other and they are pleased to see each other not progressing or suffering. The west had deluded us in their propaganda to divide us and to attain the natural wealth of Muslim countries. But our leaders deluded in the wealth of this world had brought war ,civil unrest ,bloodshed , hunger and death into their people and their nation.

13- Being concerned with whether something is haram or halal only; and not avoiding makrooh (not recommended) things. 

        Most us we know what are haraam and halaal in Islam and we tend to obey these rules very strictly. But things makrooh in our religion is taken very lightly. First let’s look at what makrooh is in Islam , makrooh means disliked, hated or detested. It is used in reference to actions and deeds that are refered negatively in Quran and sunnah. If you do anything which is makrooh you won't get any bad deed for that, but if you avoid makrooh you will get good deeds for that. So it is something disliked by Allah (swa) and his Messenger (saw). So if the basic foundation of Islam is to love Allah (swa) and His Messenger we are to pay more attention to makrooh.

14- Making fun of people who do simple good deeds, like cleaning the mosque. 

        Making fun of people who do small deeds is from the signs of weak faith. The weight of the deed depends on the sincerity of that person who performs the deed, not in the size of the deed. People might perform big deeds like building mosques, schools and hospitals, but if the sincerity of that person is not good then the weight of that deed in the Kingdom of Allah (swa) will be zero. But in the kingdom of Allah (swa) the deed of cleaning the mosque could be more rewarding than actually building a mosque. The reality is we don't know the level of sincerity of any person who does small or big deeds. So we should be careful when we make fun of people who does small good deeds.
       In the preparation for the battle of Tabuk our Messenger Muhammad (saw) ordered the Muslims to give all they can to prepare for the battle. At that time Madina was hit by a harsh drought. But the companions gave all they can in the way of Allah (swa). Some companions gave their whole wealth. One of the companions worked really hard to gather few dates which covered both of his hands. But when he saw the other companions giving so much he was reluctant to give what he got. Our Messenger (saw) came to know about this and call this companion and got hold of his few dates and called out loud that this few dates are more than all the wealth you all gave in the way of Allah (swa) and then sprinkled these dates on top of all the food which was gathered.

15- Not feeling concerned about the situation of Muslims. 

        The Muslims throughout the world are being persecuted and their land stolen from them. We being Muslims where ever we are we should always care about what’s happening to our Muslim brothers and sisters throughout the world. Our Messenger (saw) had said that" Muslim ummah is like one body, if one part of the body hurts the whole body hurts". So if you are not concerned about the Muslim ummah you need to evaluate you faith and emaan. The companions of our Messenger Muhammad (saw) were willing to sacrifice everything they had for their Muslim brothers and sisters. One of the best example is when the companions of Muhammad (saw) from Mecca migrated to Madinah ,the Muslims of the Madinah were willing to pay their wealth and even one of the companion who had more than one wife were willing to divorce his wife so that the Meccan Muslim could marry her. This is the unity we should have! But the reality is in our neighboring countries Muslims are persecuted, killed, raped and thrown out of their land but we don't feel a thing. You might sleep comfortably in your houses and enjoy with your family now but remember that there will be a day that you will stand in front of Allah (swa) and you have to be answerable to the fact that you gave a deaf ear to the cry of your Muslim brothers and sisters.

16- Not feeling the responsibility to do something to promote Islam.
         Our numbers are high but when it comes to promoting Islam unfortunately there are a handful of us. Everywhere in the world our religion is defamed and the enemies of Islam are tirelessly working to propagate against Islam. The media being the most efficient tool to promote Islam, there are so few Islamic TV and Radio Channels. It’s not that we are lacking in technology or in money. It is because the owners of these Channels are corrupted by the delusions of this world. What they don't realize is that they are using the media to corrupt and propagate against Islam instead of promoting Islam. Throughout the world the media in Islamic countries are filled with illegal and corrupted programs and shows. But think about if these resources are used to promote Islam how our communities will be benefited.
         If we look into the individual efforts put on to promote Islam, there are so many Muslims who practice Islam but when it comes to promoting Islam we are so way back compared to the efforts that we should put on. There are so many talented Muslims out there! But the talents put into actions to promote Islam are few!

17- Liking to argue just for the sake of arguing without any proof.
 
          It is very often that we hear people arguing about the principles of Islam and its law without having proper knowledge and arguing for sake of arguing without any proof. It is not only Muslims but even non-Muslims are talking about the laws of Islam without any knowledge. The sad thing is that Muslims throughout the world are falling victim to these traps. Especially if the arguments are from Muslims it is more corrupting. There are scholars, presidents and politicians who knowingly propagate or argue against the concept of Islam without having proper knowledge. Most of the time the arguments are propagated against the Sunnah of our Prophet Muhammad (saw). Some scholars and people had propagated against the concepts of jihad, face veil, beard, music and other Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (saw). These scholars are propagating not because they don't know these aspects of the Islam; they are doing this knowingly just for sake of status, money and power or just for sake of arguing. But what they don't realize is that they are propagating against Allah (swa). If you think you can win by propagating against Allah (swa), you are paving your own destruction from your own hands. The world had witnessed stronger civilization than us who propagated against Allah (swa) vanish in seconds. They were taken by surprise by the wrath of Allah (swa).

18- Becoming engrossed and very involved with dunya, with worldly things, i.e. feeling bad only when losing something in terms of material wealth.
 
          We Human beings when we are inside our mother’s womb we don't know that a place like this earth exists. The child inside the womb is separated by a curtain which divides his world (the womb) from this worldly life. Just like this we don't really realize that this worldly life is a curtain which separate us from the life in the grave . One day we will leave this worldly life and travel to the next step of our journey.
        Our journey of life is divided into four stages. These four stages are life inside our mother’s womb, this worldly life, the life in grave and the life after the resurrection day which is eternal. For many of us this world seems to be everything. But every human being in the face of the earth knows that one day death will meet him. But what makes him forget that death is constantly chasing him? The answer is this world! We are so engrossed in this worldly life we remember our death so little. Everyone is busy gathering money, wealth, power and status. They are so busy that they don't see the men and women dying around them every day. These people will only feel sad when their wealth or status is lost. But they don't realize that while gathering the richness in this world by committing sins he is destroying his wealth in the hereafter, he don't realize that by achieving his status in this world by bribing he is losing his status in the hereafter ,he don't realize that by fornicating all the women in this world he is losing the maidens of hereafter and because he forgot about the almighty Allah (swa) who gave him everything in this world he will be forgotten in the hereafter.

19- Becoming engrossed and obsessive about ourselves.

          Our obsessiveness about ourselves had plunged us into a stage that cannot be revived. In Quran Allah (swa) say" That day a man shall flee from his brother. And from his mother and father.  And from his wife and children." (80/34-36). In these verses of Quran Allah (swa) is saying that on the day of resurrection we will flee from our mother, father, brothers, wives and children in fear that they might ask us to give some good deeds that we attained by doing good deeds. But even in this worldly life our actions are like this! We are overly obsessive with ourselves that we had forgotten our parents who took care of us when we were helpless; we are so stingy that we don't care if our brothers and sisters die due to hunger and our wives and children are sitting hungry at the house but we are gambling with the monthly salary.
         When we look at our Islamic communities the reality is that we don't care about our neighbors, relatives or friends. Our beautiful Islamic principles are disappearing. Our Prophet Muhammad (saw) and his companions always took helping others as the first priority even if they had to leave their needs on the sideline. This is the beautiful example given to us by the Prophet (saw). But what we see is that we don't have time to think about these Muslim brothers and sisters because we are too obsessive with ourselves and our life.

The means of aaceptance of your dua or supplication.

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      Supplication or Dua are acts of worship. It is known that the supplication or dua is the weapon of the Mumin. When we go back to the story of the creation of the Human beings, Adam (as) was the first Human being to supplicate to Allah (swa).When Adam (as) and Hawwa (Eve) ate the forbidden fruits from the Heaven they made dua to Allah (swa) for repentance. Allah (swa) forgave them but cast them down to the Earth.

    They said: “Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves .If You forgive us not, and bestow not upon Your Mercy, we shall certainly be of the losers”. (7:23)

    Allah (swa) said: “Get down, one of you an enemy to the other [i.e. Adam, Hawwa, and Satan]. On Earth will be a dwelling-place for you and an enjoyment for a time”. (7:24)

   When the Satan (Iblis) refused to prostrate to Adam (as) by the command of Allah (swa) he was humiliated and disgraced by Allah (swa).Regardless of his disobedience to Allah (swa) he made a dua too. Which in fact was accepted .He made a dua to respite him till the Day of resurrection. Even after all this he blamed Allah (swa) for his misguidance.

    Iblis said: “Allow me respite till Day they are raised up [i.e. the Day of Resurrection]”. (7:14)  

    Allah (swa) said: “You are of those respited”. (7:15)

    Iblis said: “Because You have sent me astray, surely I will sit in wait against them (Human beings) on Your straight path. (7:16)

  When you look at the verses above you will notice that even Allah (swa) accepted the dua of Iblis than for sure Allah (swa) the Almighty and the Merciful will accept our dua’s. But there are etiquette's of making dua and there are special occasions and times when dua’s are accepted.

  Etiquette's of making dua.

* Sincerity to Allah (swa).

* To commence the supplication with praising Allah (swa) and expressing gratitude to Him , thereafter sending salutations upon the Prophet (saw). The supplication should conclude in the same manner.

      * Determination in the supplication and being certain of a response.

            *An insistent supplication offered without haste.

                  * The supplication should be sincere and heartfelt.

                  * To supplicate during both times of hardship and ease.

            * To ask Allah (swa) alone without the inclusion of others.

                  * To refrain from supplicating against the family, wealth, children and the self.

                  * To lower one’s voice to a moderate volume between a loud tone and subdued one.

                  * To confess one’s sins and seek forgiveness for them; and to recognize the bounty of Allah and express gratitude for it.

                  * To refrain from the use of rhyme when supplicating.

                  * To be humble and submissive, with yearning with fear.

                  * To reject injustice, along with repentance.

                  * Repeating  supplication thrice.

                  * That one not exaggerates in supplication.

Supplication is on behalf of another.

                  * One should supplicate by means of the most beautiful names and most lofty attributes of Allah (swa).The supplication may also petition Allah (swa) by means of his/her own good deeds, or through the supplication of s righteous and pious individual who is living and present.

                 * The supplicant’s food, drink and clothing be from lawful sources.

                 * Do not supplicate for sin or severing family ties.

                 * The supplicants should command good and forbid evil.

                 * Being far removed from all forms of disobedience.

Occasions and times dua are accepted.

            * Night of power (Lailatul Qadr).

                 * The final part of night

                 * At the end of the obligatory prayers

                 * Between the a'dhan (call to prayer and the iqamah (the call indicating the commencement of prayer).

                 * An hour during the night.

                 * With the call (a'dhan) for every obligatory prayer.

                 * With every rainfall.

                 * While marching in a military formation in the cause of Allah (swa).

                 * An hour during Friday.The accepted view is that it is the final hour before sunset (on a Friday), although it may be during the Friday sermon or prayer.

                 * While drinking the water of Zamzam with a sincere intention.

                 * During prostration.

                 * The transmitted supplication offered by the awaking from sleeping.

                 * When sleeping after having been in a state of purity,then awaking during the night and supplicating.

                 * While supplicating, "There is none worthy of worship but You,glory be to You,verily I am from among the wrong doers".

                 * Supplicating during the month of Ramadan.

                 * While in a gathering of Muslims who have congregated to remember Allah (swa).

                 * While undergoing hardship supplicating,"From Allah (swa) we originate and to Him we return. O Allah (swa) save me from my affliction and  compensate me with good from it".

                 * The supplication offered when the heart becomes disinclined to Allah (swa) and sincerity weakens.

                 * The supplication of the oppressed against those who oppress him.

                 * The supplication of father in favor for,or against ,his son.

                 * The supplication of a traveler.

                 * The supplication of a person who is fasting until iftar (fast breaking).

                 * The supplication of the one breaking his fast (fitr).

                 *  The supplication of an individual compelled against his/her wishes.

                 * The supplication of a just and upright leader.

                 * The supplication of a reverent and pious son on behalf of his father.

                 * The ( transmitted ) supplication offered directly after wudhu (ablution).

                 * The supplication offered after the stoning of the small jamrah ( a rite of Hajj).

                 * The supplication offered after the stoning of the intermediate jamrah ( a rite of Hajj).

                 * The supplication offered on entering the Ka'bah.Whoever offers prayer within the hijr (curved foundation of Ka'bah) is considered having offered prayer within the house itself.

                 * The supplication offered upon Safaa.

                 * The supplication offered upon Marwah.

                 *  The supplication offered in the Mah'ar ul-Haraam(sacred precint). 

             So use these information to supplicate  Allah (swa) to bestow us with blessings of both worlds. May Allah (swa) accept our prayers and supplications.

Most of the information is taken from the book "Supplications and treatment with Ruqyah" by Dr.Sa'eed bin Ali Al-Qahtani.