There are many ways people measure success in the worldly life, such as acquiring wealth, advancing in career, or having many children. However, Islam teaches us that true success is to be successful on the Day of Resurrection.
There is an important passage in Surah Al-Muminun detailing the attributes of those who succeed in the Hereafter.
Allah (swt) says:
قَدْ أَفْلَحَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ هُمْ فِي صَلَاتِهِمْ خَاشِعُونَ وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ عَنِ اللَّغْوِ مُعْرِضُونَ وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ لِلزَّكَاةِ فَاعِلُونَ وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ لِفُرُوجِهِمْ حَافِظُونَ إِلَّا عَلَىٰ أَزْوَاجِهِمْ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُهُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ غَيْرُ مَلُومِينَ فَمَنِ ابْتَغَىٰ وَرَاءَ ذَٰلِكَ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْعَادُونَ وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ لِأَمَانَاتِهِمْ وَعَهْدِهِمْ رَاعُونَ وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ عَلَىٰ صَلَوَاتِهِمْ يُحَافِظُونَ أُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْوَارِثُونَ الَّذِينَ يَرِثُونَ الْفِرْدَوْسَ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ
“Certainly the believers have succeeded, who are reverent during their prayers, who turn away from ill speech, who give in charity, who guard their chastity except from their wives or those their right hands possess, for they will not be blamed, but whoever seeks beyond that are transgressors, who fulfill their trusts and promises, who preserve their prayers, those are the inheritors who will inherit the highest Paradise in which they will abide for eternity.” (Surah Al-Muminun, 23:1-11)
Allah (swt) mentions here that the virtues practiced by those who succeed are the following:
- True faith
True faith is to have complete faith inwardly with sincerity toward Allah (swt) and purity of heart, as well as complete faith outwardly by affirming the articles of faith, performing the obligations, and avoiding sin. They live by the virtues of faith to the point that they have become absolutely certain of the truth of Islam.
Allah (swt) said:
وَالَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ وَمَا أُنزِلَ مِن قَبْلِكَ وَبِالْآخِرَةِ هُمْ يُوقِنُونَ أُولَٰئِكَ عَلَىٰ هُدًى مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ وَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ
They are those who believe in what has been revealed to you and what has been revealed before you and they are certain of the Hereafter. Those are upon guidance from their Lord and they will be successful. (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:4-5)
- Fulfillment of the daily prayers
After faith, the most important obligation is to fulfill the daily prayers. Allah (swt) has doubly emphasized the prayer by mentioning it at the beginning and end of the passage in Surah Al-Muminun, as well as in Surah Al-Ma’arij.
The ritual prayer is fulfilled by completing them in their proper times and with correct observance, but the believers must also fulfill its objectives outside of prayer such as remembering Allah (swt) at all times, performing regular supplications, reading the Quran, and purifying the heart from spiritual diseases.
Allah (swt) said:
قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَن تَزَكَّىٰ وَذَكَرَ اسْمَ رَبِّهِ فَصَلَّىٰ
He has succeeded who purifies himself, remembers the name of His Lord, and he prays. (Surah Al-A’la, 87:14-15)
- Guarding tongues from speaking in vain
The successful are careful to guard their tongues from speaking in vain. A believer only has the option of speaking goodness or remaining silent.
Likewise, the believers turn away from vain speech whenever they hear it. They do not argue among those who speak vanities, but rather they leave their company with grace.
Allah (swt) said:
وَإِذَا سَمِعُوا اللَّغْوَ أَعْرَضُوا عَنْهُ وَقَالُوا لَنَا أَعْمَالُنَا وَلَكُمْ أَعْمَالُكُمْ سَلَامٌ عَلَيْكُمْ لَا نَبْتَغِي الْجَاهِلِينَ
When they hear ill speech, they turn away from it and say: For us are our deeds and for you are your deeds. Peace be upon you. We seek not the ignorant. (Surah Al-Qasas, 28:55)
- Giving Charity
The successful performs acts of charity for others. Our families, the poor, and the needy have a right that we help them as much as we are able. This includes both fulfilling the obligatory charity (zakat) as well as to perform many voluntary good deeds (sadaqah) for others.
Allah (swt) said:
فَآتِ ذَا الْقُرْبَىٰ حَقَّهُ وَالْمِسْكِينَ وَابْنَ السَّبِيلِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ لِّلَّذِينَ يُرِيدُونَ وَجْهَ اللَّهِ وَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ
Give the relative his right, as well as the needy and the traveler. That is best for those who desire the countenance of Allah (swt). Those will be successful. (Surah Ar-Rum, 30:38)
Indeed, every good deed is charity, even smiling at another person. By performing such acts of charity, we will earn good deeds that will be heavy upon the scale on the side of goodness in the Hereafter.
- Protecting private parts
The successful practice chastity and they protect their private parts from adultery and fornication, for sexual intimacy is only allowed in a lawful marriage.
Allah (swt) said:
وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا الزِّنَا إِنَّهُ كَانَ فَاحِشَةً وَسَاءَ سَبِيلًا
Do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse. Verily, it is ever immoral and is an evil way. (Surah Al-Isra 17:32)
Even those who look at someone with lust have committed a lesser form of adultery, so we must avoid these acts in order to be successful.
- Truthfulness
The successful are truthful in their dealings with others, such that they fulfill their trusts and promises.
Allah (swt) said:
وَأَوْفُوا بِالْعَهْدِ إِنَّ الْعَهْدَ كَانَ مَسْئُولًا
Fulfill the covenants. Verily, the covenants will be questioned. (Surah Al-Isra 17:34)
In contrast, those who broke their promises, violated their covenants, and failed to fulfill their trusts will be exposed on the Day of Resurrection.
