Maruf Zaid Deen
We all want to attain happiness, success and prosperity in life. Success can certainly mean different things for various people and it is about being the best version of yourself. Success is not necessarily measured by material pursuits but rather it is about having contentment and being happy in life. Essentially the primary goal of a believer is to ultimately attain success in the Hereafter.
Having carried out some research I have found that the following are some qualities and traits that the highly successful cultivate. Nonetheless we take our inspiration from our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). “The believers most perfect in faith are those best in character.” [Tirmidhi]
I pray this benefits us all and that Allah increases us in wisdom and barakah. Allahumma Ameen
1. They have a strong sense of purpose
As Muslims it is absolutely imperative that we have high aspirations, we always push ourselves and that we always strive for success. Success can range from improving one’s character, achieving high grades, having a good career to also completing Hajj. All of these steps can definitely contribute towards attaining success Insha’Allah. However it is central that we always adhere to our Islamic values and that our goal is Allah azza wa jal. Our foundations need to be firm and we must recognise why we are here in this world.
2. They communicate effectively
Good communication is an essential tool in achieving trust, productivity and maintaining strong relationships. By being able to communicate effectively this will lead to good rapport with others and better relationships. Everything we do stems from communication so this is why communication is absolutely key! The Prophet made clear that the key to all relationships is upholding good character and maintaining it, even when tested. He said, “Deal with people on the basis of good character,” [Tirmidhi] and affirmed that, “Forbearance is the very best of character.”
3. They have high aspirations and are visionary
It is essential that we always aim for the best in everything we do. We all have our own strengths and we should utilise our skills and knowledge to better ourselves and help others around us if we can. It is necessary that the believers have lofty aspirations (Al-Himmah) and always strive to be enthusiastic, self-motivated and hard-working. We are people of honour and strong work ethic and we should never forget this. We should be really good at what we do and become specialists in our areas if possible. We must see ourselves as capable of being the best! The Prophet (peace be upon him) had a vision in place and that’s why he was incredibly successful.
4. They demonstrate strong willpower and drive
We should all have the determination to work harder than most and make sure things get done. We should pride ourselves on ensuring that things get completed and that we take charge when necessary. As Muslims we must drive ourselves with purpose and align ourselves with excellence (Ihsan). This is why we must work conscientiously to have the strength to see things through nor should we become lazy or procrastinate. We are people of action and we should stay focused on our goals and be consistent in our efforts. Always try to have a good heart and keep good relations with people.
“Nothing will benefit on the Day of Judgment except the one who comes with a sound heart.” (Qur’an 26:88-89)
5. They are prepared and courageous
Successful people are always prepared and proactive in their thinking and actions. Moreover they also have the courage to do the things that others won’t. When we do something repeatedly, we naturally develop an instantaneous habit. Therefore try to develop good habits and keep them consistent. Successful people review every detail in advance. They do things that the average person is not willing to do. They make sacrifices the average person is not willing to make. But the difference it makes is extraordinary.
“Keep doing good, even when obstacles are in your path. The seeds you sow today will bear fruit in the hearts you’ve touched.” – (Mufti Ismail Menk)
6. They possess integrity and are committed
This is seriously one of the most important attributes you can develop. Honesty is always the best policy for everything you do; integrity creates character and defines who you are. You can relate to others, which in turns makes everything reach further and deepen in importance. The top people in every field are completely committed. They believe in themselves; they believe in their work and they have an intense belief. We should absolutely believe in the rightness and the goodness of all that we do. The Prophet (peace be upon him) modelled integrity and commitment in everything he did and we should only strive to follow in his footsteps as best as we can.
7. They are resilient and cohesive
A part of being resilient and cohesive is to trust oneself. When you have that unshakeable trust in yourself, you’re already one step closer to success. You can shoulder responsibilities and be accountable. You make hard decisions and stand by them. To think for yourself is to know yourself. We should not dwell on past failures but rather focus on the present and future. Resilience is the ability to cope when things go wrong. It can also be described as standing up for yourself and being strong on the inside. Whereas with being cohesive it is about building trust and rapport and getting along with others. Most importantly we should think positive, learn from our mistakes and always keep trying. Remember to take care of number one first and foremost which is yourself.
“And We have made you into nations and tribes so you may know one another.” (Qur’an 49.13)
8. They are patient and understanding
Patience is the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, problems, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious. It is an essential cause of success. You must be willing to be patient, and you understand that, in everything, there are failures and frustrations. In addition be perseverant and work towards your endeavour.
We should learn to realise that real happiness lies in gratitude. It is important that we are able to walk the talk and be able to understand others and their situation. This falls under emotional intelligence. We should embody our values daily, exemplify moral authority and ethical leadership. We should be good role models that people gravitate toward because we personify integrity through values of honesty, trust, respect and service.
Allah the Most High said: “O you who believe, seek assistance through patience and prayer; surely Allah is with the patient.” (Qur’an 2:45)
9. They are confident and assertive
Being confident and assertive is all about balance. We should always do what we believe is right, even if others mock or criticise us for it. We must be willing to take risks and go the extra mile to achieve better things. Most importantly we should trust in our abilities and do the right thing even if it means admitting our mistakes, and learning from them. Assertiveness is the quality of being self-assured and confident without being aggressive. Being assertive means being able to stand up for your own or other people’s rights in a calm and positive way, without being either aggressive, or passively accepting ‘wrong’. Assertive individuals are able to get their point across without upsetting others, or becoming upset themselves. By being assertive we should always respect the thoughts, feelings and beliefs of other people.
10. They plan, organise and prioritise
Always set yourself goals and break them into workable parts. Do not get caught up in trivial matters. Islam is a universal Deen so focus on your heart and getting close to the Almighty. Be proactive and plan ahead of time. Never stop learning and do your utmost to be highly organised. Where it is needed learn to prioritise things by area of importance. Benjamin Franklin once said “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”
“Verily with hardships/difficulties comes ease.” [Surat Al-Sharh, 94:5]
Conclusion
In conclusion, I believe that by crucially endeavouring and adhering to the ten principles which have been listed can enable us to become better Muslims and general human beings as a whole Insha’Allah ta’ala. We are people of success and our Deen is a faith of success.
My research has identified that highly successful and productive people demonstrate strong discipline, integrity and high values.
Our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) was the most successful person in the entire human history. Being the last Prophet of Islam, he not only set a good example for the whole of mankind but he also showed us all how to achieve success in this world and how to strive for the Akhirah.
He was a mentor and model of success and we should all strive to emulate him to the best of our ability as he himself had all the qualities and attributes which have been mentioned in this article. Throughout our civilisation and history it is recorded that Muslims have been highly successful and we should try to learn more about this and work towards reigniting our success Insha’Allah.
An American astrophysicist and author Michael H Hart ranked the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as the most influential figure in history.
“My choice of Muhammad to lead the list of the world’s most influential persons may surprise some readers and may be questioned by others, but he was the only man in history who was supremely successful on both the religious and secular level. Of humble origins, Muhammad founded and promulgated one of the world’s great religions, and became an immensely effective political leader. Today, thirteen centuries after his death, his influence is still powerful and universal.”
Finally I would like to thank you for taking the time and effort to read this article. I ask Almighty God to guide us and make our path easy to become successful believers and I ask Him to forgive our sins, accept from our good deeds and increase our iman, Allahumma Ameen. Any incorrect information in this article is from my own shortcomings and anything good and right is from Allah.
Wassalamu’alaykum – May peace be with you all.
