Topic: The Ingredients For A Successful Life


fbarmem    -- 21-12-2009 @ 9:01 PM
         بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

The ingredients for a successful life (in this world and the next) are 6: Sincerity Of Intention, Knowledge, Worship, Patience, Repentance and Good Manners. And the key to attaining them is through constant dua'.

Sincerity Of Intention:

a.Proof:

Narrated Umar bin Al-Khattab: I heard Allaah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم saying, "The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended. So whoever emigrated for worldly benefits or for a woman to marry, his emigration was for what he emigrated for." [Bukhari & Muslim]

b.Admonition:

(إِنَّهُ مَن يُشْرِكْ بِاللَّهِ فَقَدْ حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيهِ الْجَنَّةَ وَمَأْوَاهُ النَّارُ وَمَا لِلظَّـلِمِينَ مِنْ أَنصَارٍ)

(Verily, whosoever sets up partners (in worship) with Allah, then Allah has forbidden Paradise for him, and the Fire will be his abode. And for the wrongdoers there are no helpers.) Surah Al-Maaidah (5): 72

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "Avoid the seven great destructive sins." They (the people) asked, "O Allah's Apostle! What are they?" He said, "To join partners in worship with Allah; to practice sorcery; to kill the life which Allah has forbidden except for a just cause (according to Islamic law); to eat up usury (Riba), to eat up the property of an orphan; to give one's back to the enemy and fleeing from the battlefield at the time of fighting and to accuse chaste women who never even think of anything touching chastity and are good believers." [Bukhari]

Narrated Abu Hurairah: the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: ýAllaah said: Among all partners, I am the most dispensable with association. So, anyone who performs a deed in which he ascribes to Me others; I will abandom him and his act of polytheism.ý [Muslim]

Narrated AbuHurayrah: I heard the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم say: ýThe first man (whose case) will be decided on the Day of Judgment, will be a man who died as a martyr. He shall be brought (before the Judgment Seat). Allah will make him recount His blessings (i.e. the blessings which He had bestowed upon him) and he will recount them (and admit having enjoyed them in his life). (Then) will Allah say: What did you do (to requite these blessings)? He will say: I fought for Thee until I died as a martyr. Allah will say: You have told a lie. You fought so that you might be called a "brave warrior". And you were called so. (Then) orders will be passed against him and he will be dragged with his face downward and cast into Hell. Then there will be brought forward a man who acquired knowledge and imparted it (to others) and recited the Qur'an. He will be brought, Allah will make him recount His blessings and he will recount them (and admit having enjoyed them in his lifetime). Then will Allah ask: What did you do (to requite these blessings)? He will say: I acquired knowledge and disseminated it and recited the Qur'an, seeking Thy pleasure. Allah will say: You have told a lie. You acquired knowledge so that you might be called "a scholar", and you recited the Qur'an so that it might be said: "He is a Qari" and such has been said. Then orders will be passed against him and he shall be dragged with his face downward and cast into the Fire. Then will be brought a man whom Allah had made abundantly rich and had granted every kind of wealth. He will be brought, Allah will make him recount His blessings and he will recount them and (admit having enjoyed them in his lifetime). Allah will (then) ask: What have you done (to requite these blessings)? He will say: I spent money in every cause in which Thou wished that it should be spent. Allah will say: You are lying. You did (so) that it might be said about (you): "He is a generous fellow", and so it was said. Then will Allah pass orders and he will be dragged with his face downward and thrown into Hell.ý [Muslim]

c. Dua:

     اللهم إني أعوذ بك أن أشرك بك وأنا أعلم وأستغفرك لما لا أعلم

Allaahumma innee a'oothu bika an 'ushrika bika wa anaa 'a'lamu, wa astaghfiruka limaa laa 'a'lamu.

O Allaah, I seek refuge in You lest I associate anything with You knowingly, and I seek Your forgiveness for what I know not. [Ahmad 4/403] (Hisn ul Muslim Chapter # 92, Dua # 203)


Knowledge (of Islaam):

a. Proof:

(يَرْفَعِ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ مِنكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ الْعِلْمَ دَرَجَـتٍ وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ)

(Allaah will exalt in degrees those of you who believe, and those who have been granted knowledge. And Allaah is Well-Acquainted with what you do.) Surah Al-Mujadilah (58): 11

Narrated Abu Hurayrah: Allaah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم as saying: ýHe who alleviates the suffering of a brother from the affections of the world, Allaah will alleviate his affections from the sufferings of the Day of Resurrection. He who finds relief for one who is hard pressed, Allaah will make things easy for him in the Hereafter, and he who conceals (the faults) of a Muslim, Allaah would conceal his faults in the world and in the Hereafter. Allaah is at the back of a servant so long as the servant is at the back of his brother. He who treads the path in search of knowledge, Allaah will make that path easy, leading to Paradise for him and those persons who assemble in one of the houses of Allaah (mosques), recite the Book of Allaah and learn and teach the Qur'an (among themselves). There will descend upon them tranquillity, mercy will cover them, the angels will surround them and Allaah will mention them in the presence of those near Him. He who is slow-paced in doing good deeds, his (long) descent does not make him go ahead.ý [Muslim]

Narrated Muawiya: I heard Allah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم saying, "If Allah wants to do good to a person, He makes him comprehend the religion. I am just a distributor, but the grant is from Allah. (And remember) that this nation (true Muslims) will keep on following Allah's teachings strictly and they will not be harmed by any one going on a different path till Allah's order (Day of Judgment) is established." [Bukhari]

b. Admonition:

(وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّن ذُكِّرَ بِـَايَـتِ رَبِّهِ ثُمَّ أَعْرَضَ عَنْهَآ إِنَّا مِنَ الْمُجْرِمِينَ مُنتَقِمُونَ)

(And who does more wrong than he who is reminded of the Ayýt (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of his Lord, then turns aside therefrom? Verily, We shall exact retribution from the Mujrimýn (criminals, disbelievers, polytheists, sinners). Surah Al-Sajdah (32): 22

Narrated Abdullah: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "It is a bad thing that some of you say, 'I have forgotten such-and-such verse of the Qur'an,' for indeed, he has been caused (by Allah) to forget it. So you must keep on reciting the Qur'an because it escapes from the hearts of men faster than camel do." [Bukhari]

Narrated Abu Musa: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "Keep on reciting the Qur'an, for, by Him in Whose Hand my life is, Quran runs away (is forgotten) faster than camels that are released from their tying ropes." [Bukhari]

c. Dua:
                        (وَقُل رَّبِّ زِدْنِى عِلْماً)

(and say: ýMy Lord! Increase me in knowledge.ý) Surah Taha (20): 114


         اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ عِلْماً نَافِعاً، وَرِزْقاً طَيِّباً، وَعَمَلاً مُتَقَبَّلاً

Allaahumma  innee  as aluka 'ilman naafi'an, wa rizqan tayyiban, wa 'amalan mutaqabbalan.

O Allaah, I ask You for knowledge that is of benefit, a good provision , and deeds that will be accepted. (Recite in Arabic after the Fajr prayer.) [Ibn Majah and others. See Al-Albani, Sahih Ibn Majah ] (Hisn ul Muslim Chapter # 25, Dua # 73)


Worship:

a. Proof:

    (يَـأَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اعْبُدُواْ رَبَّكُمُ الَّذِىْ خَلَقَكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ)

(O mankind! Worship your Lord (Allaah), Who created you and those who were before you so that you may acquire Taqwa.) Surah Al Baqarah (2): 21

                  (وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالإِنسَ إِلاَّ لِيَعْبُدُونِ)

(And I created not the Jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me.) Surah Al-Dhariyat (51):56

Anas reported the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم as saying, "Among the things of this world, I love women and perfume, and the coolness of my eyes is in prayer." (Related by Ahmad and an-Nasa'i.)

b. Admonition:

وَقَالَ رَبُّكُـمْ ادْعُونِى أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِى سَيَدْخُلُونَ جَهَنَّمَ دَخِرِينَ

(And your Lord said: "Call upon Me, I will answer you. Verily, those who scorn My worship they will surely enter Hell in humiliation!') Surah Al-Ghafir (40): 60

وَمَنْ أَعْرَضَ عَن ذِكْرِى فَإِنَّ لَهُ مَعِيشَةً ضَنكاً وَنَحْشُرُهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيـمَةِ أَعْمَى - قَالَ رَبِّ لِمَ حَشَرْتَنِى أَعْمَى وَقَدْ كُنتُ بَصِيراً - قَالَ كَذَلِكَ أَتَتْكَ آيَـتُنَا فَنَسِيتَهَا وَكَذلِكَ الْيَوْمَ تُنْسَى  وَكَذلِكَ نَجْزِى مَنْ أَسْرَفَ وَلَمْ يُؤْمِن بِـَايَـتِ رَبِّهِ وَلَعَذَابُ الاٌّخِرَةِ أَشَدُّ وَأَبْقَى

(But whosoever turns away from My Reminder, verily, for him is a life of hardship, and We shall raise him up blind on the Day of Resurrection.' He will say: "O my Lord! Why have you raised me up blind, while I had sight (before).' (Allah) will say: "Like this Our Ayat came unto you, but you disregarded them, and so this Day, you will be neglected.' And thus do We requite him who transgresses beyond bounds and believes not in the Ayat of his Lord; and the torment of the Hereafter is far more severe and more lasting.) Surah Taha (20): 124-127

c. Dua:
                  اللَّهُمَّ أَعِنَّي عَلَى ذِكْرِكَ، وَشُكْرِكَ، وَحُسْنِ عِبَادَتِكَ

Allaahumma a'innee 'alaa thikrika, wa shukrika, wahusni 'ibaadatika.

O Allaah, help me to remember You, to give You thanks , and to perform Your worship in the best manner. [Abu Dawud 2/86, An-Nasa'i 3/53. See also Al-Albani Sahih Abu Dawud 1 /284] (Hisn ul Muslim Chapter # 24, Dua # 59)


Patience:

a. Proof:

                          (فَاصْبِرْ صَبْراً جَمِيلاً)

(So be patient, with a good patience.) Surah Al-Ma`arij (70): 5

Suhaib ibn Sinan narrated that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: "How remarkable is the case of the believer! There is good for him in everything, but this is not the case for anyone except for the believer. When the believer receives any good, he is thankful to Allaah, and gets a reward. And when some misfortune befalls him, he endures it patiently, for which he is (also) rewarded." [Muslim]

Muhammad Bin Khalid Al-Sulami narrated on the authority of his father on the authority of his grandfather that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: ý[Often it so happens that] for a certain believer, Allaah ordains a high position that he cannot achieve by himself. So, Allaah afflicts him with some physical or material distress or grief from within his family, whereby he is granted the good fortune of being patient. Thus Allaah raises him to the high station originally decreed for him.ý [Abu Dawood, Authenticated by Al-Albaanee in al-Saheehah 2599]

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allaah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "Allaah says, 'I have nothing to give but Paradise as a reward to my believer slave, who, if I cause his dear friend (or relative) to die, remains patient (and hopes for Allaah's Reward).'" [Bukhari]

Narrated Anas: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "The real patience is at the first stroke of a calamity." [Bukhari]

b. Admonition:

                      (خُلِقَ الإنْسَانُ مِنْ عَجَلٍ)

(Man is a creature of haste.) Surah (21): 37


           (وَيَدْعُ الإِنْسَـنُ بِالشَّرِّ دُعَآءَهُ بِالْخَيْرِ وَكَانَ الإِنْسَـنُ عَجُولاً )

(And man invokes (Allah) for evil as he invokes (Allah) for good and man is ever hasty.) Surah Al-Israa (17): 11


وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَعْبُدُ اللَّهَ عَلَى حَرْفٍ فَإِنْ أَصَابَهُ خَيْرٌ اطْمَأَنَّ بِهِ وَإِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ فِتْنَةٌ انْقَلَبَ
       عَلَى وَجْهِهِ خَسِرَ الدُّنْيَا وَالاٌّخِرَةَ ذلِكَ هُوَ الْخُسْرَنُ الْمُبِينُ

(And among mankind is he who worships Allah as it were upon the edge: if good befalls him, he is content therewith; but if a Fitnah strikes him, he turns back on his face. He loses both this world and the Hereafter. That is the evident loss.) Surah Al-Hajj (22): 11

c. Dua:

   (رَبَّنَآ أَفْرِغْ عَلَيْنَا صَبْرًا وَثَبّتْ أَقْدَامَنَا وَانصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَـفِرِينَ)

("Our Lord! Pour forth on us patience, and set firm our feet and make us victorious over the disbelieving people.') Surah Al-Baqarah (2): 250


Repentance:

a. Proof:

فَقُلْتُ اسْتَغْفِرُواْ رَبَّكُمْ إِنَّهُ كَانَ غَفَّاراً - يُرْسِلِ السَّمَآءَ عَلَيْكُمْ مُدْرَاراً - وَيُمْدِدْكُمْ بِأَمْوَلٍ وَبَنِينَ وَيَجْعَل لَّكُمْ جَنَّـتٍ وَيَجْعَل لَّكُمْ أَنْهَاراً

(I (Nuh) said (to them): Ask forgiveness from your Lord, verily, He is Oft-Forgiving; He will send rain to you Midrar; And give you increase in wealth and children, and bestow on you gardens and bestow on you rivers.) Surah Nuh (71): 10 ý 12

Narrated Anas bin Malik: Allaah's Apostle صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "Allaah is more pleased with the repentance of His slave than anyone of you is pleased with finding his camel which he had lost in the desert." [Bukhari]

Narrated Al-Bara' ibn Azib: Allaah's Apostle صلى الله عليه وسلم said: ýWhat is your opinion about the delight of a person whose camel loaded with the provisions of food and drink is lost and that moves about with its nose-string trailing upon the waterless desert in which there is neither food nor drink, and he wanders about in search of that until he is completely exhausted and then accidentally it happens to pass by the trunk of a tree and its nose-string gets entangled in that and he finds it entangled therein? We said (in response to the question of the Prophet): Allaah's Apostle صلى الله عليه وسلم he would feel highly delighted. Thereupon Allaah's Apostle (peace be upon him) said: By Allaah, Allaah is more delighted at the repentance of His servant than that person (as he finds his lost) camel.ý [Muslim]

Narrated Abu Huraira: I heard the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم  saying, "If somebody commits a sin and then says, 'O my Lord! I have sinned, please forgive me!' and his Lord says, 'My slave has known that he has a Lord who forgives sins and punishes for it, I therefore have forgiven my slave (his sins).' Then he remains without committing any sin for a while and then again commits another sin and says, 'O my Lord, I have committed another sin, please forgive me,' and Allaah says, 'My slave has known that he has a Lord who forgives sins and punishes for it, I therefore have forgiven my slave (his sin).' Then he remains without committing any another sin for a while and then commits another sin (for the third time) and says, 'O my Lord, I have committed another sin, please forgive me,' and Allaah says, 'My slave has known that he has a Lord Who forgives sins and punishes for it. I therefore have forgiven My slave (his sin), he can do whatever he likes.'ý [Bukhari]

b. Dua:

اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي لّا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ، وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ، أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ، أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ، وَأَبُوءُ بِذَنْبِي فَاغْفِر لِي فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ

Allaahumma  Anta Rabbee laa  ilaaha illaa Anta, khalaqtanee wa  anaa  abduka, wa  anaa 'alaa 'ahdika wa wa'dika mas-tata'tu, 'a'oothu bika min sharri maa sana'tu, 'aboo'u laka bini'matika 'alayya, wa 'aboo'u bithanbee faghfir lee fa'innahu laa yaghfiruth-thunooba 'illaa 'Anta.

O Allaah, You are my Lord, there is none worthy of worship but You. You created me and I am your slave. I keep Your covenant, and my pledge to You so far as I am able. I seek refuge in You from the evil of what I have done. I admit to Your blessings upon me, and I admit to my misdeeds. Forgive me, for there is none who may forgive sins but You. [Al-Bukhari] (Hisn ul Muslim Chapter # 27, Dua # 79)

Whoever recites this with conviction in the evening and dies during that night shall enter Paradise, and whoever recites it with conviction in the morning and dies during that day shall enter Paradise

Good Manners:

a. Proof:

( وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَى خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ )
(You (O Muhammad) are of the highest noble character.)  Surah AlýQiyamah (68): 4

The Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said, ýIndeed, I have only been sent to complete the noblest of manners.ý [Bukhari in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad, Ahmad, Al-Hakim]

Narrated Abdullah bin Amr: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم never used bad language neither a Fahish nor a Mutafahish. He صلى الله عليه وسلم used to say "The best amongst you are those who have the best manners and character." [Bukhari & Muslim]

Narrated Ummul Mu'minin, Aisha: The Apostle of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: ýBy his good character a believer will attain the degree of one who prays during the night and fasts during the day.ý [Abu Dawood, Al-Hakim]

Narrated AbudDarda': The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: ýThere is nothing heavier than good character put in the scale of a believer on the Day of Resurrection.ý [Abu Dawood]

Narrated AbuUmamah: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: ýI guarantee a house in the surroundings of Paradise for a man who avoids quarrelling even if he were in the right, a house in the middle of Paradise for a man who avoids lying even if he were joking, and a house in the highest part of Paradise for a man who made his character good.ý [Abu Dawood]

Narrated AbuHurayrah: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: ýThe m


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