To be Muslim and Successful in this Dunia

Society Religion & Philosophy
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I was actually inspired by an article that I read in IHT regarding pious Muslims in Turkey that are successful. More on that later, I want to open up a discussion on duniyey success as Muslims. As someone who is a believer in the great faith of Al-Islam, I feel that we have unlimited potential to succeed in the world while follow the teachings of Allah. With affluence, there is greater tendency to become materialistic or stray from religion. I do believe that one needs to keep a humility and sense of of sarifice intact, in order to stay strong in your imaan.

I am in no way rich but Alhamdolilah doing ok right now. On personal level, there are many challenges that I face on a daily basis. These challenges include avoiding temptation to do haram things like drinking, staying away from riba and unIslamic dealings, and being dishonest.

In any case, I was so happy to read thisarticle because it affirms my belief that you can be Muslim and successful.

‘Protestant work ethic’ in Muslim Turkey - International Herald Tribune](http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/08/11/business/wbturkey.php)

KAYSERI, Turkey: As the muezzin heralds the noon prayers on Friday, a small army of workers fans out from an industrial park to take their places on mats in a nearby mosque. Fifteen minutes later, the prayers are over and the teachings of the Koran have given way to the demands of the factory floor.
“In European countries, workers take a 15-minute smoking break; here we take a 15-minute prayer break,” said Ahmet Herdem, the mayor of Hacilar, a town of 20,000 people in this deeply religious and socially conservative region of Central Anatolia, which has produced some of Turkey’s best-known companies. “During this time, you are in front of God and you can ask him to help improve business and this is good for morale.”

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Re: To be Muslim and Successful in this Dunia

Please refer to this post for some anwers , more later.
http://www.paklinks.com/gs/religion-scripture/274613-deen-duniya-post5597403.html#post5597403

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Thank you sister. Ma’shallah very good post.

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Re: To be Muslim and Successful in this Dunia

^ :omg:

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What, she doesn’t like compliments? It was a nice post missy!

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Re: To be Muslim and Successful in this Dunia

The definition of 'success' varies from person to person.

GS Apprentice - TEAM 3 (Task 1)!!!!!!
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Sure. But I think its fair to say that most people want food, shelter, health care, and eduction for themselves and their loved ones.

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Re: To be Muslim and Successful in this Dunia

What makes you failure or successful is ... you.
You are the reason of your failure,
and you are the reason of your success.
Other factors matter but a focused "you", can defy these odds.

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What I am saying is that you can be Muslim and successful. Times are changing, we're not going to settle for only the after-life. Work hard, treat everyone with respect, but don't forget Islam.

Don't get me wrong, I agree with what your saying. For too long, Muslims have been seen as backward, poor..i hope we can change that notion.

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Peace pak-one

In a capitalisitic world it is hard to live as a rich person without falling into some fitnah traps.

Please remember that those people who were disadvantaged in this world will have their punishment reduced in the Hereafter.

Also remember those who have been given wealth are required to spend excess in the way of charity especially so when there is much need for it. In a capitalistic world some people become very rich and a lot of people become very poor. It presents a great task to be able to deal justly with people and avoid the traits of showing off, treating people with ill-content and arrogance and wasteful spending and so on. Also, because of the advantage such rich people will have nothing to say on the Day of Judgement.

Also remember that Islam appealed to those people who were not well off. And those who did amass a huge income were that much more charitable too.

Please read the below account:

There is also a narration related by Aboo Ma’dhr from al-Maqburee from ’Aa‘ishah - radiyallaahu ’anhaa - that the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “An angel came to me and said: Allaah sends blessings upon you and says: If you wish you may be a Prophet-King or a Slave-Messenger. So Jibeel -* ’alayhis-salaam - indicated to me that I should humble myself: So I said: A Prophet-Slave.” So ’Aa‘ishah said: So after that day, the Prophet (*sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) never ate whilst reclining, saying, “I eat like a slave eats and I sit like a slave sits.”

And from the mursal narrations of az-Zuhree - rahimahullaahu ta’aalaa - who said: we were informed that an angel came to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), who had never come to him before. Accompanying him was Jibreel - ’alayhis-salaam. So the angel spoke, and Jibreel - ’alayhis-salaam - remained silent, so he said: Your Lord inquires whether you wish to be a king or a Prophet-Slave. So the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) looked towards Jibreel - ’alayhis-salaam - as if he was seeking his advice. So Jibreel indicated that he should be humble. So Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “A Prophet-Slave.” Az-Zuhree said: So it is said that from that day onwards, the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) never ate whilst reclining, until he departed from this world.

And it is related in the Musnad, or in the Sunan of at-Tirmidhee, from Aboo Hurayrah radiyallaahu ’anhu), from the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) who said, “My Lord - the Mighty and Majestic - gave me the choice that the valley of Makkah be filled with gold, but I said: No! O Lord. However, grant food to me one day, and hunger the day after. So when I am hungry I humble myself before You and remember You, and when I am full, I am grateful to You.”

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Yes, sister mirch’s post is very sensible and smart. :k:

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Re: To be Muslim and Successful in this Dunia

sister Mirch is the smartest

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Peace Sara516 and Iconoclast

You know very well this type of talk is meant for All Views … why can’t you just tell pak-one that Mirch is a brother and not a sister …

:rule:

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True... but most people want 'more' and 'more'. there has to be a satisfaction level!

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:salam:

Thank you for taking the time to respond to the post. I was hoping to start a meaningful discussion on wealth, avoiding fitnah, and helping those less advantaged. I don’t see capital accumulation as the only goal for life. Although I admit that I am guilty of living the good life, but I justify the spending as well deserved due to the hours that I put into the job and the fact that the income is halal. As for helping the disadvantaged, I have been setting aside 7% of my income to give to the poor in the US, UK, and Pakistan, but that is not enough.

As you correctly mentioned that todays world is dominated by capitalism where it is diffcult to avoid some of the frivolous spending. I am trying to do my best to balance the duniyey life with the deen. I really admire the Anatolian Turks who are doing the right thing by integrating Islam into the business culture. I would love to have official prayer breaks and be able to conduct business in the same manner as our Prophet (PBUH) had done in the past.

I sincerely believe that Allah is on the side of Muslims, he may test us with difficult periods, but he is the protector of al-Muslimeen.

GS Apprentice - TEAM 1 (Task 1)!!!!!!
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Haha, thanks for embarrassing me. You can’t tell any more!

Mirch, BROTHER no offense intended at all. My mistake.

KuRi aur KuRa
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I would be lying if I said that I didn't want more. But my thinking has also shifted in the sense that with more $ I can support those in need and Islamic causes. I think I would be most satisfied if I achieved more and was able to channel some of the gains into things that will improve the human condition and help spread Islam throughout the world.

I have a long way to go, but its so good to see other Muslims stepping up and saying that we will be competitive in the capitalist system while still retaining the Muslim religious identity.

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My point was, your success does not depend on religion, or lack of it.
Your success depends on you.

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According to our beliefs our success depends on the will of Allah. , also being Muslim we try to strive to succeed in this world and afterlife too. Our success of afterlife is dependent on religion. The questioner is interested in both kinds of successes, Islam has formula for both kinds of successes.

GS Apprentice - TEAM 2 (Task 1)!!!!!!
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Im sure u can drown your embarrassment in all the parties tonight eh? take it easy..mirch appa is cool. :@: (Ok my last post here sorry psyah!)