بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

وَتِلۡكَ ٱلۡأَيَّامُ نُدَاوِلُهَا

“We give to men by turns,” (3:140)

This verse confirms what life teaches us – things don’t always stay the same. We have periods in life when everything seems to be going our way, and periods of difficulty. As a Muslim when one is doing well religiously, financially, health wise, and in relationships with his or her family and friends, they are considered to be having a good time in life. So what should we do to maintain this position, and use this position to gain benefit from Hereafter.

All the success in life is through Allah’s guidance and His blessings on us. We must understand that it could be either our good deeds have been accepted or this is a trial by Allah. Allah says in the Quran

لَهُ ۥ مَقَالِيدُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ‌ۖ يَبۡسُطُ ٱلرِّزۡقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَقۡدِرُ‌ۚ إِنَّهُ ۥ بِكُلِّ شَىۡءٍ عَلِيمٌ۬

“To Him belong the keys of the heavens and the earth. He enlarges provision for whom He wills, and straitens it for whom He wills. Verily He is the All-Knower of everything.” (42:12)

So instead of letting our worldly success get to our heads, and becoming self-congratulatory on our achievements, see this worldly success in light of additional responsibility which is to make the most of this good fortune for our salvation in the Hereafter.

Remember all this wealth and provision is in hands of Allah and Allah alone. All the hours we put in networking and entertaining people for potential favours is not going to be much use if we don’t humbly and sincerely ask Allah. We should rely solely on Allah for our provision, not on anyone else; for who can be a better friend to have in times of need but the Lord of the Worlds Himself.

Since our success is from Allah we must give thanks to Him for His blessings. What better way to give thanks than praising and worshipping Him, especially by prostrating to Him. Allah increases His blessings on the thankful and grateful.

وَيَسۡتَجِيبُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ وَيَزِيدُهُم مِّن فَضۡلِهِۦ‌ۚ

“And He listens to those who believe and do deeds of righteousness and gives them increase of His Bounty,” (42:26)

It is important not to get used to this success in life, for Allah can test us by taking some of it away. We should use our blessings as a motivating factor to increase our worship.

وَلَوۡ بَسَطَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلرِّزۡقَ لِعِبَادِهِۦ لَبَغَوۡاْ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ

“If Allah were to enlarge the provision for His servants they would indeed transgress beyond all bounds through the earth” (42:27)

There might come a point in life of when a Muslim’s faith is tested, when some of life’s luxuries are taken away. For example, Allah may test a Believer by making their Deen look like some thing that is holding them back from riches or good relationship with friends. Or Allah may take away their health or wealth. Whenever you find yourself struggling in life, remember this golden rule – this is test from Allah, don’t fail it by abandoning your religion for the sake of worldly pleasures. You will be rewarded for being patient when being tested, as according to Sahih Hadith the Prophet  (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said

“By the One in whose Hand is my soul, no believer is stricken with fatigue, exhaustion, worry or grief, but Allah will forgive him for some of his sins thereby – even a thorn that pricks him” (Ahmad 2:303, Sahih Hadith)

When going through tough times remember to sincerely ask for forgiveness and increase the duration and quality of your worship.

There is a message of hope for those being tested in Surah Ad-Duha, which was revealed to the Prophet  (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) when he was going through one of the hardest times of his life.

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
وَٱلضُّحَىٰ (١) وَٱلَّيۡلِ إِذَا سَجَىٰ (٢) مَا وَدَّعَكَ رَبُّكَ وَمَا قَلَىٰ (٣) وَلَلۡأَخِرَةُ خَيۡرٌ۬ لَّكَ مِنَ ٱلۡأُولَىٰ (٤) وَلَسَوۡفَ يُعۡطِيكَ رَبُّكَ فَتَرۡضَىٰٓ (٥) أَلَمۡ يَجِدۡكَ يَتِيمً۬ا فَـَٔاوَىٰ (٦) وَوَجَدَكَ ضَآلاًّ۬ فَهَدَىٰ (٧) وَوَجَدَكَ عَآٮِٕلاً۬ فَأَغۡنَىٰ (٨) فَأَمَّا ٱلۡيَتِيمَ فَلَا تَقۡهَرۡ (٩) وَأَمَّا ٱلسَّآٮِٕلَ فَلَا تَنۡہَرۡ (١٠) وَأَمَّا بِنِعۡمَةِ رَبِّكَ فَحَدِّثۡ (١١)

By the glorious morning light, And by the night when it is still. The Guardian-Lord has not forsaken you nor is He displeased. And verily the Hereafter will be better for you than the present. And soon will your Guardian-Lord give you (that wherewith) you shall be well-pleased. Did He not find you an orphan and give you shelter (and care)? And He found you wandering and He gave you guidance. And He found you in need and made you independent. Therefore treat not the orphan with harshness, Nor repulse the petitioner (unheard); But the Bounty of your Lord – rehearse and proclaim.

( Surah Ad-Duha, 93)