True Success

Written by: Barah

This is one of those posts. Yes, one of those posts you read and maybe don’t exactly enjoy, but that help you think a little about what you’re doing with your life.

I firmly believe that by strengthening ones ties with God, things will get better. I believe once you have a firm knot with God, things find a way to turn around and life becomes so much brighter. And this tactic works with everything–school, marriage, and life in general. When you do the minimum of what God asks of you, life truly becomes easier. When you thank God through dua’ [supplication], prayer, reading the Quran, following the example of the prophet Muhammad (s), paying zakat [charity], and through other good works, then God will shine a light on your path, will open another door for you, and will guide you through life.

Be consistent with your prayers, no matter the obstacles in your way. Pray for guidance. Always remember God in all that you do. Take the time out of your day to thank God with an extra prayer. Respect your parents and show them the kindness God asked you to show them. Do things for His sake. Become the best Muslim you can be, or try to be. Put all your trust in God and do your best. Incorporate your deen [faith] into everything you do.

If your ties with God are firm and you’re doing these things and more, God will not let you down. He will not let you drown in your classes. He will not let you go into a marriage that you’re not ready for or not fit for. He will not send you someone bad, as mentioned in a verse from Surah Al-Noor:

الْخَبِيثَاتُ لِلْخَبِيثِينَ وَالْخَبِيثُونَ” لِلْخَبِيثَاتِ ۖ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ لِلطَّيِّبِينَ وَالطَّيِّبُونَ لِلطَّيِّبَاتِ ۚ أُولَٰئِكَ مُبَرَّءُونَ مِمَّا يَقُولُونَ ۖ لَهُمْ مَغْفِرَةٌ وَرِزْقٌ كَرِيمٌ”

“Evil women are for evil men, and evil men are [subjected] to evil women. And good women are for good men, and good men are [an object] of good women. Those [good people] are declared innocent of what the slanderers say. For them is forgiveness and noble provision.” [24:26]

He will always be by your side. God loves his creations, especially those who love Him back, do the things He asks, and remember Him in everything. God says in Surah Al-Baqara:

“فَاذۡكُرُوۡنِىۡٓ اَذۡكُرۡكُمۡ وَاشۡکُرُوۡا لِىۡ وَلَا تَكۡفُرُوۡنِ”

“So remember Me; I will remember you. And be grateful to Me and do not deny Me.” [2:152]

And in a hadith Qudsi [non-Quranic narration from God], we are told:

“I am as My servant thinks (expects) I am. I am with him when he mentions Me. If he mentions Me to himself, I mention him to Myself; and if he mentions Me in an assembly, I mention him in an assembly greater than it. If he draws near to Me a hand’s length, I draw near to him an arm’s length. And if he comes to Me walking, I go to him at speed.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari]

Sometimes, things get hard even when you are truly doing the best you can, but remember what God says (also in Surah Al-Baqara):

“أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَنْ تَدْخُلُوا الْجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَأْتِكُمْ مَثَلُ الَّذِينَ خَلَوْا مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ ۖ مَسَّتْهُمُ الْبَأْسَاءُ وَالضَّرَّاءُ وَزُلْزِلُوا حَتَّىٰ يَقُولَ الرَّسُولُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَعَهُ مَتَىٰ نَصْرُ اللَّهِ ۗ أَلَا إِنَّ نَصْرَ اللَّهِ قَرِيبٌ”

“Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while such [trial] has not yet come to you as came to those who passed on before you? They were touched by poverty and hardship and were shaken until [even their] messenger and those who believed with him said,”When will the help of God come?” Unquestionably, the help of God is near.” [2:214]
So yes, God will test you sometimes. And it’s good to remember that these tests take away from your sins and help you in the afterlife. And always, as the verse says, the help of God is near, which means these tests don’t last. They will indeed pass; just keep your faith strong and it will all work out.

All in all, what I’m trying to say is this: Work on your connection with God, then work on everything else in this life.

Always make God your first priority.

Photo Credit: Barah Ahmad.