Tashif Mahmood Ghumman, Canada
Every human being desires success. For one person, success may mean a stable career; for another, it may be wealth, recognition, or knowledge. Today, in a world driven by competition, success is often defined in material terms: money, power, or influence. Yet, for all our advancements, society remains restless. People gain status but lose peace. They achieve wealth but feel emptiness. It is here that Islam offers a vision of success that is richer, more balanced, and more enduring than the narrow definitions of modern life.
Islam’s philosophy of progress
The Holy Quran reminds us: “And seek, in that which Allah has given thee, the Home of the Hereafter; and neglect not thy lot in this world; and do good to others as Allah has done good to thee; and seek not to make mischief in the earth, verily Allah loves not those who make mischief.” (Surah al-Qasas, Ch.28: V.78). This verse lays down Islam’s philosophy of progress. On one hand, believers are encouraged to pursue their share of worldly life education, careers, prosperity. On the other hand, they are reminded not to lose sight of the eternal world to come. In this balance lies true success.
The Holy Prophet Muhammadsa exemplified this balance. He was not only a spiritual guide but also a trader, statesman and leader of a growing community. His honesty earned him the title al-Amin (the trustworthy) long before his claim to prophethood. This shows that worldly success and moral integrity are inseparable in Islam. The Prophetsa once said, “Wealth is not in having many possessions, but rather (true) wealth is feeling sufficiency in the soul.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 6446). Here, success is not about what we have but about who we become.
Pragmatic example of the Promised Messiahas
Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas of Qadian, the Promised Messiah, reinforced this principle in his own life. Though he lived simply, he urged his Jamaat to work diligently and pursue education, but always within the framework of spirituality. He explained that gaining true success can only be done so by praying and seeking the right path. He reminded his followers that all blessings come from Allah, and that when a believer combines effort with humility and prayer, Allah magnifies the results of their labour. (Noah’s Ark [Kashti-e-Nuh], p. 94)
A striking example from his life illustrates this truth. In Qadian, when financial resources were scarce, the Promised Messiahas still pursued the publication of Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya. He faced great opposition, slander and financial pressure, yet he pressed on with patience, effort and prayer. Against all odds, his work not only saw the light of day but in a way, laid the foundation for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat. His “worldly success” in publishing a book was not the result of wealth or connections, it was the fruit of perseverance rooted in reliance on God. This shows that Islam’s path to success is neither passive reliance nor blind effort, but a partnership of both.
Advice of Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa
This same principle has been echoed by the Khulafa of Ahmadiyyat. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa has consistently reminded Ahmadi Muslims, especially the youth, that excellence in worldly pursuits is a duty. He often urges students to become leaders in science, medicine, law, education and business, but he stresses that achievement must rest on two pillars: hard work and prayer. In one address, Huzooraa mentioned how Ahmadis should not merely aim to “fit in” but should strive to become the very best in their fields yet with humility, honesty and service at the centre. His guidance reframes worldly ambition: careers are not just personal ladders of success, but opportunities to serve humanity and faith. (Khutbat-e-Masroor, Vol. 5, p. 399, Friday Sermon, 28 September 2007)
The principles of worldly success
Worldly success, then, in the Islamic framework, is built on several principles. First is effort. The Quran states, “And that man will have nothing but what he strives for” (Surah al-Najm, Ch.53: V.40). Islam rejects shortcuts and laziness. Second is integrity. The Prophetsa example shows that trustworthiness is the foundation of long-term achievement. Third is service to others. The Prophetsa said, “The best of people are those who are most beneficial to others.” (al-Mu‘jam al-Awsat, Hadith 5783). And finally, there is tawakkul, reliance on God. The Prophetsa taught that even the birds, who leave their nests hungry and return full, are provided for because they combine effort with reliance (Jami’ at-Tirmidhi, Hadith 2344). These principles transform worldly striving into a moral and spiritual pursuit.
Relevance to modern life
But let us think critically. Does this Islamic model of success work in the modern world of competition and corporate ambition? Many would argue that the ruthless often get ahead while the honest are left behind. Yet history, and indeed Ahmadiyyat itself, tells another story. The Promised Messiahas was opposed fiercely, yet his honesty and perseverance outlived his opponents. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra guided the Jamaat through poverty and partition, yet his vision and organisation built an enduring global Jamaat. In both cases, success was achieved not by cutting corners but by combining excellence, patience and reliance on God.
In the corporate world today, we may see dishonest individuals rise quickly, but their empires often crumble with scandal. By contrast, businesses built on honesty and service often endure generations. Islam’s model may appear slower, but it is more sustainable and dignified. This is where the richness of the Quranic teaching becomes clear: success without righteousness is ultimately failure, but success with righteousness blesses both the individual and society.
Ultimately, Islam does not separate the worldly and the spiritual. It teaches that they are interwoven. When a student excels in education to serve humanity, when a doctor treats patients with compassion, when a businessperson earns honestly and shares generously all are engaging in acts of worship. In this way, worldly success becomes a stepping stone to spiritual success, and spiritual success gives worldly striving its true meaning.
As we reflect on these teachings, we are left with a challenge. If the Islamic path to success is so balanced, why do many Muslims and indeed many of us still fall into the trap of chasing hollow measures of success? The answer lies not in the principles themselves, but in our willingness to embody them. Islam provides the framework, but the choice is ours: will we pursue success defined by fleeting materialism, or will we strive for success that endures in this world and the next?
And so the critical question for us all is this: in our pursuit of worldly success, are we building legacies of service and integrity, or are we simply chasing shadows that will vanish with time?