Principles for Success in This World and the Hereafter
By: Qari Usama bin Abdul Salam
While a person can achieve various forms and levels of success in this world, the real success is that which benefits both dunyā and ākhirah. The Qur’an and Hadith make it clear that worldly success is incomplete without ultimate success in the Hereafter.
① Faith and Righteous Deeds
﴿قَدْ أَفْلَحَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ﴾ (al-Mu’minūn: 1)
“Certainly, the believers have succeeded.”
The first condition for success is īmān, followed by ʿamal ṣāliḥ (righteous deeds).
① Faith in Allah and Taqwā
﴿وَمَن يَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُۥ مَخْرَجًۭا﴾ (al-Ṭalāq: 2)
“Whoever fears Allah, He will make for him a way out (of every difficulty).”
② Seeking Knowledge
Knowledge is light for both this world and the Hereafter.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
طَلَبُ الْعِلْمِ فَرِيضَةٌ عَلَى كُلِّ مُسْلِمٍ
“Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.”
(Sunan Ibn Mājah)
③ Hard Work and Striving
﴿وَأَن لَّيْسَ لِلْإِنسَـٰنِ إِلَّا مَا سَعَىٰ﴾ (al-Najm: 39)
“And that there is not for man except that [good] for which he strives.”
Success in this world does not come without effort.
④ Good Character and Honesty
Good morals are a Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ and a key to success.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
إِنَّمَا بُعِثْتُ لِأُتَمِّمَ مَكَارِمَ الْأَخْلَاقِ
“I was sent only to perfect good character.”
(Muwaṭṭaʾ Imām Mālik)
⑤ Positive Thinking and Patience
Successful people face challenges with patience, not despair.
﴿إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ﴾ (al-Baqarah: 153)
“Indeed, Allah is with those who are patient.”
﴿رَبَّنَاۤ اٰتِنَا فِی الدُّنۡیَا حَسَنَۃً وَّ فِی الۡاٰخِرَۃِ حَسَنَۃً وَّ قِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ﴾ (al-Baqarah: 201)
“Our Lord! Grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and save us from the punishment of the Fire.”
By: Qari Usama bin Abdul Salam
True Success
While a person can achieve various forms and levels of success in this world, the real success is that which benefits both dunyā and ākhirah. The Qur’an and Hadith make it clear that worldly success is incomplete without ultimate success in the Hereafter.
Qur’anic Concept of Success
① Faith and Righteous Deeds
﴿قَدْ أَفْلَحَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ﴾ (al-Mu’minūn: 1)
“Certainly, the believers have succeeded.”
The first condition for success is īmān, followed by ʿamal ṣāliḥ (righteous deeds).Key Principles for Worldly Success
① Faith in Allah and Taqwā
﴿وَمَن يَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُۥ مَخْرَجًۭا﴾ (al-Ṭalāq: 2)
“Whoever fears Allah, He will make for him a way out (of every difficulty).”
② Seeking Knowledge
Knowledge is light for both this world and the Hereafter.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
طَلَبُ الْعِلْمِ فَرِيضَةٌ عَلَى كُلِّ مُسْلِمٍ
“Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.”
(Sunan Ibn Mājah)
③ Hard Work and Striving
﴿وَأَن لَّيْسَ لِلْإِنسَـٰنِ إِلَّا مَا سَعَىٰ﴾ (al-Najm: 39)
“And that there is not for man except that [good] for which he strives.”
Success in this world does not come without effort.④ Good Character and Honesty
Good morals are a Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ and a key to success.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
إِنَّمَا بُعِثْتُ لِأُتَمِّمَ مَكَارِمَ الْأَخْلَاقِ
“I was sent only to perfect good character.”
(Muwaṭṭaʾ Imām Mālik)
⑤ Positive Thinking and Patience
Successful people face challenges with patience, not despair.
﴿إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ﴾ (al-Baqarah: 153)
“Indeed, Allah is with those who are patient.”
Signs of a Successful Person
- Has a clear purpose
- Believes in himself
- Benefits others
- Values time
- Avoids sins
- Remains engaged in duʿāʾ and dhikr
Best Duʿāʾ for Success in Dunyā and Ākhirah
﴿رَبَّنَاۤ اٰتِنَا فِی الدُّنۡیَا حَسَنَۃً وَّ فِی الۡاٰخِرَۃِ حَسَنَۃً وَّ قِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ﴾ (al-Baqarah: 201)
“Our Lord! Grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and save us from the punishment of the Fire.”
