My life is what I want to make it. My efforts are where I put them for. My achievements are what I have earned.
Do I regard my life a success?
It depends on what success means to me. What real happiness is in my eyes. It is actually nothing about 'me'!
It is my reality which I often forget.
I am not just 'me'.
So many others are attached to me. I am complete in connection with first the One Who has created me and sent me into this world.
I am complete when I see toward the needs, rights and pains of others, all the living things that the Creator has created.
He wants me to complete my self, my spiritual being and then find my way to the real self.
It is there with The Creator and it is here in my love for His Creation!
The Quran states in the second chapter fifth verse:
Those are upon [right] guidance from their Lord, and it is those who are thesuccessful.
Can we call ourselves successful if we have all the riches and happiness of the world and people around us are sad and needy? Can we remain happy with our achievements if others need our help and care? Even if we are successful in terms of money and fame the only thing that brings happiness and satisfaction is the sensitivity to others needs and the urge to help others.
We can't just sit there hand on hand and eyes shut when the fellow beings are wandering away from the Truth. True love and compassion is when you like for others what you like for yourself.
In the chapter 'the family of Imran', verse 104, the Quran states:
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.
When we utilize our God-given intelligence in encouraging, motivating and inspiring others we are going in the right direction. The Creator has not sent us among the inhabitants of the Earth to live a secluded and self centered life. We are here to build relationships based on love and trust and to support each other in noble projects.
The best way to help others is to deliver the Truth and urge them to seek knowledge so that each one of us understands the reality of being in this world.
Our energies and striving should be in the way of our Creator because in the end everything is going to perish but His Face.
As stated in Chapter 5 verse 35:
O you who believe! Do your duty to Allah and fear Him. Seek the means of approach to Him, and strive hard in His Cause as much as you can. So that you may be successful.
Generally what happens is that people follow the trends and lose focus on what they are actually supposed to do. Following what the majority is doing is not a guarantee for success in this world and the next. Majority is NOT authority.
We must first see 'what' is that which the majority is after. We have more than once heard about world famous personalities and celebrities affirming the fact that gaining wealth and popularity does not bring contentment and happiness. In fact, most of them suffered from depression or anxiety and many of them committed suicide. Why? Did they not have enough money? Did they not have fans who loved them like crazy?!
We have everything clearly defined in front of our eyes and yet we choose to stay blind.
As stated in Surah Al Maida, the fifth chapter in the Quran.
Say, "Not equal are the evil and the good, although the abundance of evil might impress you." So fear Allah , O you of understanding, that you may be successful. {verse 100}
Success is defined by the growth in your ability to see the right and wrong clearly and help others too in your way. Success is when you start feeling that you are answerable and responsible about all your actions and achievements. Success is when you feel happy that you are not wasting your capabilities and doing whatever you can to prove that you are worthy of acceptance in front of the One Who has created you!
