In continuation from our previous article, where we discussed habits that breed success, here we will discuss characteristics that one should learn and implement to achieve success.
Of course these have been taken from the Sunnah and were all found in abundance in the Prophet peace be upon him, who was the most successful person, and the best of human beings.
By encapsulating these characteristics in your daily life, one can attain success in this life and the next.
- Ikhlaas: Sincerity
Without sincerity all our deeds are lost and in vain. Without sincerity, the heart is not stable, it is neither here nor there, and anxieties find root within it, and toy with it. When one devotes themselves to Allah, with sincerity, knowing and believing that He is Allah, and He alone deserves to be worshiped, and this is incorporated into one’s daily life, then success is within arm’s reach.
One should be sincere to Allah, loving what He loves and hating what He hates. One should also be sincere to those around them, for a two-faced person is hypocritical.
The Prophet was sincere from the onset of his mission. So, make your heart pure; pure for Allah.
- Sabr: patience, steadfastness, endurance and accepting what Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) has destined for you. This will make you stronger to face hardships and get through the ups and downs of life.
When our Prophet was tested with trial upon trial, the disbelievers of the Quraysh of Makkah ridiculed his message, warned others against him, tortured his followers injured him, boycotted him, plotted to kill him and eventually threw him out of his hometown, he was patient. He remained firm and persevered despite these set backs, until he re-possessed Makkah, and Islam was victorious. Until today his patience pays off, for we are believers due to his efforts.
So, the next time it feels like the world is closing in on you, and the wide expanse of the earth seems to narrow before your eyes, and the burden on your shoulders seem too heavy to bear, be patient. Life on this earth is short, just a few numbered days. It will all end soon, be patient and be firm, and by the Will of Allah you will triumph and come through that difficulty. As the saying goes, “good things come to those who wait.”
- Shukr: gratefulness, being thankful to Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) for everything, feeling content with what Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) has given you. This will make you feel rich even if you don’t have a thing.
A grateful person, is not just grateful to others around him, but first and foremost he is grateful to Allah, the one who gave him life, who made him a muslim, who provides for him, who nourishes him, who guides him and who bestows upon him abundant and plentiful blessings which we can never enumerate!
Shukr goes hand in hand with patience. In fact, when one is shaakir (thankful), it will naturally make one more patient. By being thankful, and grateful, one views every test as a mercy from Allah, and chance for him to come closer to Allah.
Being grateful makes one content, and appreciative of what they have. They don’t compare themselves to others, and measure their success against their own abilities. Thus they are not envious of others blessings because they are content with what they have.
Our Prophet was no less than a perfect example of this, it was narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) used to stand (in the prayer) or pray till both his feet or legs swelled. He was asked why (he offered such an unbearable prayer) and he said, “should I not be a thankful slave?” (Bukhari)
By being thankful Rasulullah was content with what he had and his role, and he knew Allah decreed what was best for him.
True contentment is being happy and satisfied with what you have.
- Taqwa: piousness, righteousness, good character, doing what is prescribed and keeping away from forbidden deeds. Taqwa is to be conscious of Allah at all times, to know that He sees you, that He hears you and that He is aware of your every action, deed and thought, which in turn builds a fear of the omniscience of Allah that inspires you to work righteousness. And by doing so you become loved by Allah (سبحانه وتعالى), and His angels and the good people among mankind.
This is probably the most important characteristic that one should seek to embody. With Taqwa one can earn the Pleasure of Allah which is the culmination of success, for one with taqwa obeys Allah, follows His commands, and avoids everything that Allah has forbidden and is displeased with.
And who was more knowledge of the laws of Allah than our beloved Messenger peace be upon him, who did all of the commands, and abstained from all the forbidden. His life was governed by this principle, and his resulting success is evident, for he has been granted Al-Kawthar, and we ask for him to be granted Al-Waseelah, a special station in Paradise. These achievements are the true success.
- Tawakkul: putting your total trust in Allah (سبحانه وتعالى), leaving your affairs in His hands, realizing that everything goes as He has planned and relying on Him. This will give you peace of mind and heart.
Through Tawakkul one affirms his belief in the Qadr of Allah. He strives to do his best but knows that everything rests in the Hands of Allah, and His Decree is the Most Just and Wise, for He has prior knowledge of everything, the past present and future. Furthermore, with Tawakkul one knows that Allah only decrees what is best for His slave. This makes the slave content, and motivated to work to please Allah, thereby attaining success.
In the early stages of the Prophet’s Da’wah, when his followers were very few amongst the poor and weak and victory seemed a far-off dream, the Prophet trust Allah, he relied on Him and strove hard to teach Islam until he was rewarded with the sweetness of success and until today his following continues to increase.
When the Prophet peace be upon sheltered and hid in the cave during his Hijrah to Madinah, and the disbelievers came searching for him, and it seems they would be found, as Abu Bakr said, I said to the Prophet (ﷺ) while I was in the Cave. “If any of them should look under his feet, he would see us.” He said, “O Abu Bakr! What do you think of two (persons) the third of whom is Allah?” (Bukhari)
The Prophet’s trust in Allah was unwavering.
When Arabs united time and again to wipe the small band of muslims off the face of Allah, in the battle of Badr, in Uhud, in Khandaq, to name a few, the tawakkul of the Prophet was firm. Each time he knew that Allah was in control and Allah would never let down his slaves.
Put your trust in Allah, do your best and leave the rest to Him.
These five keys, are keys to success in the hereafter primarily, but also success in this world. When equipped with these keys the soul becomes tranquil and the heart tastes the sweetness of iman, and it lives a blissful life, even if it appears that the body is suffering on the outside. May Allah aid us is attaining these beautiful characteristics, and attaining success in this life and the next.