What is Success?

A different perspective on being successful

I was scrolling recently on YouTube shorts and came across a video where a Muslim scholar was asked the following question: 

If the Quran is the truth, why aren't Muslims today significantly more successful than non-muslims? 

The scholar's answer was the following:

"There's an assumption that the richer you are, maybe the righter you are, which is obviously a false assumption. You can have a lot of money and be in complete falsehood. You can be the wealthiest man in the world and be the lowest IQ man in the world and have no truth at all or not even care for the truth. The assumption itself is a problematic one. But even if we go for it for the sake of argument, Islam has been around for 1,444 years. In that time, for 95% of its existence, Islam has been either one of the superpowers or the leading superpower. So, was the truth with the Muslims at that time? So, this is a foolish argument. In fact, the Quran deals with it by saying, "And these are the days which we alternate between the people." (Quran 3:140)

Besides the scholar's surprising answer, this question led me to many thoughts about how I could have answered it. The scholar focused on a very high-level situation, and I didn't think that way of answering the question. So, in the following part, I will focus on answering this question from a slightly different perspective. What does success mean to me?

So, to make my point clear in my head, I opened ChatGPT and asked the following two questions:

Question 1: 

How is success defined in today's society?

Response 1:

Success today is often defined by a mix of factors, including:

1. Career Achievement: Many view success through professional accomplishments, such as job titles, promotions, and recognition in one's field.

2. Financial Stability: Wealth and financial independence are frequently seen as indicators of success, including owning property or achieving a certain lifestyle.

3. Education: Higher education degrees and continuous learning are often valued markers of success.

4. Personal Fulfillment: A growing number of people prioritize personal happiness, mental health, and work-life balance as essential components of success.

5. Social Impact: Many now consider contributing to society, such as through volunteering or activism, as a key part of being successful.

6. Relationships: Strong personal relationships and a supportive community are increasingly recognized as vital to a fulfilling life.

7. Health and Well-being: Physical and mental health are also becoming important metrics for success, emphasizing the importance of overall well-being.

These definitions can vary widely based on cultural, social, and individual values, reflecting a more holistic view of what it means to be successful.

Question 2:

How is success defined according to Islam?

Response 2:

In Islam, success is often defined through a combination of spiritual, ethical, and practical dimensions. Key aspects include:

1. Faith and Obedience: True success is seen as being faithful to Allah and following His guidance as outlined in the Quran and Hadith. This includes performing acts of worship, such as prayer and fasting.

2. Good Character: Upholding moral and ethical standards is crucial. Traits like honesty, kindness, humility, and patience are highly valued.

3. Fulfillment of Responsibilities: Success is also tied to fulfilling one's duties to family, community, and society, emphasizing social responsibility and justice.

4. Contentment and Gratitude: Being content with what one has and expressing gratitude is considered a sign of true success, reflecting a deep understanding of life's transient nature.

5. Preparation for the Hereafter: Many Muslims believe that ultimate success is measured by one's standing in the afterlife. Actions taken in this life are viewed as preparations for eternal life.

6. Balance in Life: Islam encourages a balanced approach to life, where spiritual, social, and material aspects are all considered important.

In essence, success in Islam encompasses both this life and the hereafter, focusing on a holistic and ethical way of living.

These two answers are quite different but also tied together at the same time. The 6th point of the second answer by ChatGPT is a summary of everything. It reminds me of the advice from the Prophet Muhammed (peace and blessings be upon him), which says:

"Work for your worldly life as if you are living forever, and work for your Hereafter as if you are dying tomorrow." - Prophet Muhammed (pbuh)

This teaches us that we should actually seek success in this life by looking forward to education, careers, and material wealth. However, the primary purpose of earning money is to fulfill our daily needs, and the primary goal of a successful career is serving people. Besides all additional spiritual activities in Islam, like prayers, fasting, and so on, this way of living gives a Muslim the balance between being successful in the material life and being successful from an Islamic point of view.

One thing worth remembering is that Islam always prioritizes spiritual success over material success. This fact is supported by the holy Quran and the tradition of the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh).

"Successful indeed are the believers: those who humble themselves in prayer; those who avoid idle talk; those who pay alms-tax; those who guard their chastity" (Quran 23:1-5)

"The best among you are those who have the best manners and character." - Prophet Muhammed (pbuh)

In summary, the short answer to the original question from my point of view is the following: The assumption that Muslims are less successful is wrong. According to the Islamic context of success, success means something different, as we saw previously. So, this does not make Islam or Muslims less successful than the rest of the world since devoted Muslims live pretty different values and find fulfillment from different things in life compared to other societies.

This is what success means to me and what values I appreciate when considering myself successful. But what do you think? What does success mean to you? Let's catch up in the comment section.