The Key to Prosperity
I. Introduction
The word "prosperity" has been defined in the Webster's dictionary as follows:
* The condition of being prosperous and having good fortune or financial success.
The word "prosperous" has been defined as:
* Having success, flourishing, well to do, and well off.
The Islamic way of life and the Islamic life-style are indeed the key to prosperity in this world and in the hereafter. The Islamic way of life is a way through which a person can live his daily life with happiness, peace, tranquility, and success in this world and in the hereafter.
Moreover, prosperity is for the individual in as much as it is for the family, the local society, other societies, government, and other governments as well.
II. Prosperity in the Qur'an
Islam has encouraged every person to strive well in order to be successful in this world and in the hereafter. The Qur'an speaks about "successful people" forty (40) times. The Qur'an talks about Al-Muflihoon by specifying their obligations, their actions, their deeds, and their good intentions. In Surah Al-Muminoon (Chapter of The Believers), Allah says the following:
"Successful indeed are the believers, who are humble in their prayers; and who keep aloof from what is vain;
And who are givers of poor-rate; and who guard their private parts, except before their mates or those whom their hands possess, for they surely are not blame able,
but whoever seeks to go beyond that, these are they that exceed the limits; and those who are keepers of their trusts and their covenants; and those who keep a guard on their prayers; these are they who are the heirs, who shall inherit the Paradise; they shall abide therein."
(23:1-11)
While in Surah Al-Baqara, Allah has explained more about the factors that make people prosperous and successful. The following are the starting verses of the Chapter:
"Alif Lam Mim.
This Book, there is no doubt in it, is a guidance to those who guard (against evil); those who believe in the unseen and keep up prayer and spend out of what We have given them;
And who believe in that which was revealed before you and they are sure of the Hereafter; these are on a right course from their Lord and these it is that shall be successful." (2:1-5)
By going through these Verses of the Qur'an, one is able to identify certain activities, deeds and actions that lead to prosperity and success in this world and the Hereafter. They are:
1. Performing Prayer (Salat) with Pleasure
2. Paying charity
3. Belief in the Unseen
4. Belief in what Prophet Muhammad (SAW) received (the Qur'an)
5. Belief in what the previous Prophets received (Revelations)
6. Belief in the Day of Judgement
7. Refraining from meaningless conversations
8. Refraining from the haram: alcohol, gambling, etc.
9. Refraining from indulging in magic
10. Preserving morality, practicing modesty and chastity
11. Fulfilling on promises
12. Taking care of the trust given to them
13. Exercising patience at all times
14. Having Taqwa
15. Jihad for the love of Allah
16. Doing good and helping others
17. Performing Salat-e-Taubah
18. Speaking the truth and refraining from lies
19. Remembrance of Allah daily
20. Inviting people to the teachings of Allah
21. Instructing people to refrain from doing haram (Forbidden Acts)
22. Being a member of the Party of Allah (Hizbullah)
23. Abstaining from being stingy and miserly
24. Reciting and listening to the Qur'an daily
25. Abstaining from Zulm and Zaalimoon, that is, those who inflict injustice and harm to others
III. Prosperity / Success in the Hereafter
The most important task in an individual's life is to do something in this world so as to acquire success for the Hereafter. The following is a partial list of activities, deeds, actions and services that one can to do in order to be among the successful people on the Day of Judgment:
1. Good intention
2. Honesty and sincerity for the love of Allah
3. To do good for others
4. To be among the first in doing good
5. Sadaqa and charity
6. Sharing useful knowledge with others
7. Taking care of orphans
8. Preparing one to leave this world and to go to Allah
9. Trying to enlighten one's own grave before going there
10. Visiting cemeteries, hospitals, prisons, and refugee camps
11. Raising children properly, so as to make "Du'a Maghfirah" after
Death
12. To be among the seven categories of people that Allah will take care of, and provide shade during the Day of Assembly and the Day of Judgment. These people are:
a) An Imam who is fairs and just
b) A person who lives with the obedience of Allah
c) A person who loves to visit mosques daily
d) A person who spends money so that his right hands doesn't allow the left hand to know how many doe he spends
e) When a beautiful woman with a high position invites a person to go astray, he refuses because he obeys in Allah
f) Two people, who get to know one another, become good friends and remain such, even after they depart to different parts of the world
g) A person who remembers Allah privately, and tears flow upon his face
IV. Extra Bonus
Those who wish to earn more rewards and blessings from Allah can do some extra activities, services, and sacrifices. Such groups of people will be given extra bonuses from Allah in this world and in the Hereafter. Their credits of rewards will be much more than others. Their lives should be devoted for the love of Allah, and theSunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Some of these activities would be as the followings:
1. Praying Salat Tahajjud
2. Praying Salat Haajah
3. Praying Salat Istikharah
4. Praying extra Salat such as Sunnat al-Wadoo, Sunnat Tahiyat al-Masjid, and Salat Tasbeeh, etc.
5. Fasting the extra days outside the month of Ramadan such as: Mondays, Thursdays, Day of Arafa, few days in Dhu al Hijja, and Rajab and Sha'ban.
6. To analyze daily before going to sleep so as to make sure to be better day by day
7. To ask for forgiveness from Allah, and to ask for His guidance on a daily basis
8. To read Ayatul-Kursi and the two Surahs of Qul-Aadhu before going to sleep
9. To deny yourself in order to contribute to those who are less fortunate than you
10. One has to have a pleasing personality, character, a smiling face, and amicable relations with others
11. There are many more activities that one may have to perform or avoid, in order to earn the Mercy and Blessings of Allah. The more a person is close to Allah, the more will he guide him
V. Final Remarks
As a final statement in this paper, it is better to quote the Qur'an about the winners and the successful people in this world and in the Hereafter. Almighty Allah says in Surah Luqman the following:
"Alif Lam Mim. These are verses of the Wise Book - a Guide and a Mercy to the doers of Good - those who establish regular prayers, and give regular charity, and have in their hearts the assurance of the Hereafter. These are on true guidance from their Lord; and these are the ones who will prosper. (31:1-5)
