Diligence is the Way to Success

There are norms and laws in the universe that man is not permitted to
contradict. Instead, he should abide by them so as to enjoy a good
life and eternal happiness in the Hereafter. One such norm is that if
one works hard, he will find results; if one exhausts oneself a little
bit, he can enjoy a long rest. Indeed reaping noble benefits depends
on experiencing difficulties. Pleasure and perfect qualities cannot be
gained except with some difficulty. If it were not for difficulties,
all people would be leaders.
A Person who Prefers Comfort has Scarce Potential for Success
Work in the worldly life relies upon diligence. Therefore, man
isrequired to work hard and actively, leaving behind laziness. The
Quran and Sunnah direct us towards this understanding. Allaah The
Almighty Says (what means):
{And say, "Work, for Allaah will see your deeds, and [so, will] His
Messenger and the believers."} [Quran 9:105]
{It is He who made the earth tame for you - so walk among its slopes
and eat of His provision - and to Him is the resurrection.} [Quran
67:15]
The Prophet educated the Ummah (Muslim Nation) in different ways on
how to be diligent. For instance, he urged Muslims to earn a living
and provide from their own work, saying: "Nobody has ever eaten a meal
better than that which he has earned from working with his own hands.
The prophet of Allaah, Daawood [David], would eat from the work of his
own hands." [Al-Bukhaari]
The Prophet also advised us to work hard without giving in tofeelings
of frustration, saying: "Cherish that which gives you benefit [in the
Hereafter], seek help from Allaah and do not lose heart." [Muslim]
He also said: "If the Hour comes while one of you has a shoot that he
is able to plant, he should plant it." [Ahmad, Al-Bukhaari in Al-Adab
Al-Mufrad]
Moreover, the Prophet assured people of the assistance of Allaah The
Almighty, that He further increases the high motivation and ambition
of people according to the sublimityof their ambition, saying: "Help
from Allaah comes to the servant according to his diligence."
[Al-Bazzaar]
Of course hard work is exhausting, but it has great pleasure,
especially when the diligent person reaps the outcome of his work.
Ibn Ul-Qayyim said:
The sages of every nation agree that welfare cannot be obtained
through welfare, that anyone who prefers comfort will miss it, and
that joy and pleasure dependon the level of risks and difficulties
that are experienced when getting them. There is no joy for a person
who has no resolve; no pleasure for a person who lacks patience; no
bliss for a person who endures no hardships; and no comfort for a
person who has no hard work. If a person is exhausted for a short
time, he will relax for longer. If he endures difficulties for a short
while, this will lead him to eternal welfare. People who will receive
eternal delight [the people of Paradise] earned this status due to
their patience in this very short worldly life. Truly, Allaah alone
gives help, and thereis no power except in Him.
The loftier one's self is and the higher his aspirations are, the more
a person's body is exhausted and the less his comfort is. Yahya ibn
Katheer said. "Knowledge cannot be acquired when the body is in
comfort." [Muslim]
"All those who are sensible undoubtedly believe that perfect comfort
depends on the level of exhaustion, and perfect bliss relies on the
level of difficulties that are endured when achieving it. Comfort,
pleasure and bliss arefree of exhaustion only in Paradise, not in this
worldly life. [Quoted from 'Uluww Al-Himmah by Shaykh Muhammad ibn
Ismaa'eel]
A person who takes diligence to be a slogan in life does not depend on
his ancestors or familybackground, nor does he rely on boasting of his
fathers and forefathers. Instead he builds his own glory, adding it to
that of hisforefathers'.
Quotations from Sages and Scholars
Some sages have said, "Utilize your diligence as long as you are in
good health, and take the opportunity to work while you are at
leisure, for time will not bealways on your side, nor will you be able
to restore what you have lost."
A scholar once said, "Work is like an armor that protects a person
against afflictions, and diligence is like a sword that wards off
misfortune."
Another said, "Nothing is better than having a reason that is adorned
with forbearance, a deed that is adorned with knowledge, and
forbearance thatis adorned with truthfulness!"
Some scholars have said, "Could itbe true and logical that crops are
harvested without prior sowing of seeds, fruits are reaped without the
planting of trees, firecomes from two stones without striking them
together, or that money yields without effort?"
It was also said, "There is a causefor every provision and whoever
diligently seeks something, finds it."
Indeed, what a great saying was that of the Commander of Believers,
'Umar ibn Al-Khattaab "Do not stop pursuing livelihood and
supplicating, 'O Allaah, provide for me!' You knowthat the sky does
not rain gold orsilver. Allaah The Almighty provides for people by
virtue of their interaction."
Therefore, work hard and do not be indolent. Your Muslim nation is
waiting for a push from you like that of 'Umar a push thatilluminates
the torch of enthusiasm in its heart, amidst the darkness of this
gloomy stateof obliviousness. It is also waitingfor a cry from you
like that of Salaah Ad-Deen Al-Ayyoobi (Saladin) a cry that plants
hope in the desert of despair. Help from Allaah comes in accordance
with diligence, therefore seek help from Allaah and do not lose heart!

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And Allah Knows the Best!

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Published by :->
M NajimudeeN Bsc- INDIA

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