Conviction and Constant Striving Are Key to Success
By Abidullah Ghazi
Skokie , IL
The Prophet (peace be upon him) instructed, “Join me in affirming that there is no god besides Allah. You will then achieve success in both the worlds.” This directive of the Prophet (peace be upon him) is valid for all time. The day this message expires will be the Last Day, bringing an end to everything. It will be the Day of Judgment.
Those who believed in the Prophet during his lifetime are called his Companions. His believing friends grew stronger in their relationship with him. If they had been his enemies earlier, they turned into his loyal followers. Those who had been strangers to him affirmed sincerely the truth that there is no god besides Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.
It was his magnetic personality that uttered the above simple words and it had such an effect on the listeners that they perceived the truth. Those embracing Islam gained knowledge. Those who acted on Islam turned out to be the best orators and conquerors of the world.
Whoever was fortunate enough to enjoy the Prophet’s company, even for a short time, acquired such knowledge that he benefited others. Whoever developed sound faith took great delight in such religious obligations as prayer, fasting, Hajj and Zakat. They devoted their whole lives to Islam.
For more than fourteen hundred years the Prophet’s voice, which was not circulated by any loudspeaker, radio orInternet, hasbeen resounding. His teachings are preserved just as they had been initially conveyed to his Companions.
No photo of the Prophet (peace be upon him) is on record. Yet his illustrious personality inspires millions of human beings and illuminates their minds and hearts. His image moves hearts. Millions of his followers aspire to emulate him and sacrifice their lives in pursuing his way. They dream of meeting him at the Kawthar fountain in Paradise. His Companions were fired up with love for him. More importantly, this love has been transmitted to subsequent generations. No group or community has shown such overflowing love for its leader as Muslims have for the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Likewise, no leader showered such love on his followers as he did.
There is no other instance on record in which a leader disregarded the interests of his own community for the sake of justice. He evoked the fierce opposition of his own family, tribe, and people for championing human rights. He conquered everything yet he did not take anything for himself. Although he conquered the world, he ascribed his victory only to Allah. He owned the treasures of the world, yet he led a frugal life and forbade his children from accepting Zakat or charity. Piety for him was the sole criterion of supremacy and on this count he accorded that supremacy to a slave over a free person and to a socially backward person over a nobleman. He preached and practiced justice in all circumstances, both adverse and favorable.
He laid the foundations of a global community on a sound, healthy, and strong basis, transcending caste and color distinctions, hostility and barbarism. His message, premised on conviction, action, and love helped conquer the hearts and vast chunks of land.
His teachings constitute the heritage of all humankind. His message has been gaining more popularity with the passage of time. Most remarkably, a solitary, resource-less and unlettered Arab proclaimed with certainty some fourteen hundred years ago, “This message of Islam will one day make its way everywhere in the world, in palatial houses and mud-thatched huts.” We are lucky to witness the actualization of this prediction. Today Islam is there at every platform: radio, television, Internet, legislature, cafe, street, place of worship, and every house, including the bedroom. It is indeed gratifying that our Prophet’s proclamation has now been turned into a reality. All the weaponry, media, and economic sanctions of the world are directed against Islam and Muslims, yet Muslims do not budge. They are not shy of professing Islam. Rather, they have been flourishing. They have trust in their Lord’s promise and they are not afraid of death.
“It is Allah who has sent down His Messenger with guidance and true faith so that His faith prevails. Allah suffices as a witness to it,” (al-Fath, 48:28). Since Allah has testified to the above, it does not call for any other proof. Our testimony will nonetheless bring about our deliverance. It will be an act of the highest worship on our part. “Those who obey Allah and His Messenger, notwithstanding their suffering some loss, those who do good and follow Allah – there is a mighty reward for them” (al-Imran, 3:172).
