SUCCESS in Life: a 3D VIEW

Assalam alaykum.



I had another thought that I wanted to share with you: what is the day-to-day path to a life success in islam?



Success is defined in the American Heritage Dictionary as The achievement of something desired, planned, or attempted. I will talk about 'three dimensions' of success.



I. In secular civilizations (western and increasingly oriental unfortunately), 'success' is used to describe EXCLUSIVELY professional achievements.

"Mr. robert is a successful man: he's got a law firm and three houses!"

"Mrs. Jane is a successful woman: she is vice president of a computer corporation, she  is author of several books on computer science and she was elected woman of the year by 'Be The Best' magazine!"



it is indeniable that Mr Robert and Mrs jane are succesful persons at the professional level. But are they happy? usually not. The society (driven by the media which shapes common thoughts) does not emphasize other parts of the life of Robert and Jane. It neglects the fact that Robert divorced twice and That Jane never married and has severe stomac ulcer from overworking and constant stress.



Let's talk about real people now: take Jack Welsh for instance. He is the former CEO of General Electric, a global company, that he transformed with skillful managment. he's stated as "the Tiger Woods of managment" by the wall street journal etc. etc.. The untold



story is that almost never had a social life: he divorced twice and had an open heart surgery! This is the untold.. overlooked story of Jack



This is the culture of the 'super-man': super smart, super powerful, superior. Social success requires HUMAN qualities, which are contradictory with the supra-human values advocated nowadays. This is what I consider social success:



1. Having founded a healthy family and caring for one's wife/husband. To listen to him/her with humility. Putting energy into correctly raising children and loving them ('Building' children)

2. Having founded a real social network based on mutual help and care for the other. it includes humanitarian aid and day-to-day help to friends, neighbors and strangers.



To sum up the first part, we have to seek equilibrium between professional and social successes. We should never neglect social success. they must be considered EQUALLY important. That makes the first axis.



II. A second type of advocated success in nowadays societies is body success: sports, muscles, workout. Sport became a multi-billion dollar industry. The media praises sleek muscular bodies and the hero in any action movie must have an arm as large as two of mine!



Talk about ads: the 'body' sells shampoos, creams and even car insurances! This is no longer sport and health, this is BODY WORSHIP.



In Islam, Wisdom is defined as "putting things in their context". there is no doubt about the fact that working out is REQUIRED.



The prophet (pbuh) said "..your body verily has a right on you (that you have to fulfill).."(Authentic Hadeeth reported by Al Bukhari n°5199).



We have to take care of our body and health, especially in sedentary societies where we do more mental than physical work than in ancient times. We have to find an Equillibrium between healthy life and body worship. This makes the second axis.



III. Talking about Islam, we as muslims have an additional dimention to care about: our practice of Islam.



It is heart breaking to see many muslims (native or converts) living a secular life and just baring the muslim "sticker", the mere adjective, the business card title. This is, in my opinion, an imitation of christians and jews.



Our brothers in humanity -christians and jews- claim all to believe in their religion and to be good christians/jews. but they behave the same way as atheists. Total secular life, no prohibitions, just good words : "religion is in our hearts" or "we know we are good people, we don't kill or steal anybody". They bare hollow stickers and shallow adjectives.



"And be ye not like those who forgot Allah, and He made them forget their own souls! Such are the rebellious transgressors!" Sura59(al Hachr)v.19 ..May Allah guide them



when you talk to some muslim brothers/sisters about their bad behavior, they say "well I've seen many other muslims doing worse". Why do you compare yourself with the worst? Compare yourself with the best.



Allah warned us from that behavior, and from imitating jews and christians:



"Has not the time arrived for the Believers that their hearts in all humility should engage in the remembrance of Allah and of the Truth which has been revealed (to them), and that they should not become like those to whom was given Revelation aforetime, but long ages passed over them and their hearts grew hard? For many among them are rebellious transgressors." Sura57(Iron)V.16



"O ye who believe! Bow down, prostrate yourselves, and adore your Lord; and do good; that ye may prosper" Sura22(The pelgrimage)V.77



On the other hand, some muslim brothers/sisters practice day and night and talk religion so much that they do not apply for jobs, care for people around them or even listen to what the others have to say. They no longer live in reality. Of course there is heaven to seek, but we shouldn't forget that our feet are no where but.. on earth. We have to make a living, laugh and have fun from time to time, make people around us happy and take it easy, within the framework of Islam of course.



Allah made it clear:

"But seek, with the (wealth) which Allah has bestowed on thee, the Home of the Hereafter, nor forget thy portion in this World: but do thou good, as Allah has been good to thee..." Sura28(The stories)V.77



The prophet (pbuh) said "..But I pray and I sleep, I fast and I eat, and I marry women. Therefore whoever refuses my sunna is not of mine (of my followers)" (Authentic, reported by Muslim n°5572), personal translation



He also said "..But a time (for prayer and remembrance) and a time (for taking it easy)" (Authentic, reported by Al albani n°1965), personal translation



The prophet himself (pbuh) was the most religious person on earth, yet he made banters with his wives, his sahaba (friends) and even with strangers, played with kids and had always a nice smile on his face. This makes the third axis.



Conclusion: life success in islam is a THREE DIMENTIONAL SUCCESS:

x axis: Professional <> Social

y axis: Body care <> mind care

z axis: Religious practice and remembrance <> fun and taking it easy.




Think of it as an airplane that needs to go to a certain destination: the plane needs to be set in three movements to follow the correct path:



The pitch: it makes the plane head or "nose" to go up or down

The yaw: nose left or nose right

The roll: swing the plane on one side or the other along it's longitudinal axis



see the picture (use your hand as a plane and move it along the axes to better feel the movements):













The three axes of success need to be set the same way as the three axes of the plane.



There is only one axis set that leads to a correct straight path: Islam





This is a personal opinion so I'm waiting for your thoughts and comments.

Allah bless you all

Assalam alaykum