https://www.khutbah.info/true-success/ People often talk about success, the factors leading to it, and those achieving it. Many people view success as being confined to temporary and fleeting achievements such as triumphs in business, academics, and sports. Some even consider success as winning in prohibited activities like gambling. Consequently, the understanding of success, its true nature, and its underlying causes are diverse and varied. Many people overlook that the ultimate success is upon meeting the Lord of the Worlds—the success of earning Allah’s pleasure, avoiding His punishment, and attaining paradise. This concept is absent from those immersed in worldly pleasures and desires.
إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ لِلَّهِ ,نَحْمَدُهُ ,وَنَسْتَعِينُهُ وَنَسْتَغْفِرُهُ , وَنَعُوذُ بِاللهِ مِنْ شُرُورِ أَنْفُسِنَا وَمِنْ سَيِّئَاتِ أَعْمَالِنَا ,مَنْ يَهْدِهِ اللهُ فَلَا مُضِلَّ لَهُ , وَمَنْ يُضْلِلْ فَلَا هَادِيَ لَهُ , وَأَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ
Verily, all praise is for Allah. We praise Him, we seek His assistance and we ask for His forgiveness. And we seek refuge in Him from the evils of our selves. Whoever Allah guides, none can misguide. Whoever He misguides, none can guide. And I bear witness that there is no deity other than Allah and I bear witness that Mohammad is His slave and messenger.
يَا أَيُّهَا الّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِ وَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنْتُمْ مُسْلِمُونَ – آل عمران:102
Al Imran 102 : O you who believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared, and die not except in a state of Islam.
Oh people:
People often talk about success, the factors leading to it, and those achieving it. Many people view success as being confined to temporary and fleeting achievements such as triumphs in business, academics, and sports. Some even consider success as winning in prohibited activities like gambling. Consequently, the understanding of success, its true nature, and its underlying causes are diverse and varied.
Many people overlook that the ultimate success is upon meeting the Lord of the Worlds—the success of earning Allah’s pleasure, avoiding His punishment, and attaining paradise. This concept is absent from those immersed in worldly pleasures and desires.
Thus, every Muslim must consistently remember this clear, true and ultimate success and not be misled by the transient joys of this worldly life.
Reflect and contemplate upon the ultimate success and its true nature. Allah, the Exalted, says:
كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ ۗ وَإِنَّمَا تُوَفَّوْنَ أُجُورَكُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ۖ فَمَن زُحْزِحَ عَنِ النَّارِ وَأُدْخِلَ الْجَنَّةَ فَقَدْ فَازَ ۗ وَمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا مَتَاعُ الْغُرُورِ
Aal Imran (3) 185: Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained [his desire]. And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion.
The true and ultimate success is avoiding what is dreaded and attaining what is desired. What is more dreaded than the Fire, and what is more desired than Paradise? Both of these aspects of success are granted to believers, the inhabitants of Paradise. For Allah spares them from the Fire and blesses them with the triumph of entering Paradise.
Indeed, the true arena of success is salvation from the fire and Allah’s punishment, and attaining His paradise and eternal bliss. Therefore, it is essential for each of us to keep in mind this ultimate reality to which we are all inevitably heading.
Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet ﷺsaid:
يُؤْتَى بِالْجِسْرِ فَيُجْعَلُ بَيْنَ ظَهْرَيْ جَهَنَّمَ قُلْنَا يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ وَمَا الْجِسْرُ قَالَ مَدْحَضَةٌ مَزَلَّةٌ عَلَيْهِ خَطَاطِيفُ وَكَلَالِيبُ وَحَسَكَةٌ مُفَلْطَحَةٌ لَهَا شَوْكَةٌ عُقَيْفَاءُ تَكُونُ بِنَجْدٍ يُقَالُ لَهَا السَّعْدَانُ الْمُؤْمِنُ عَلَيْهَا كَالطَّرْفِ وَكَالْبَرْقِ وَكَالرِّيحِ وَكَأَجَاوِيدِ الْخَيْلِ وَالرِّكَابِ فَنَاجٍ مُسَلَّمٌ وَنَاجٍ مَخْدُوشٌ وَمَكْدُوسٌ فِي نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ حَتَّى يَمُرَّ آخِرُهُمْ يُسْحَبُ سَحْبًا
The bridge will be brought and placed over Hell. We said, O Messenger of Allah, what is the bridge? He said, it is shaky and slippery, over which are claws, pincers, and broad spikes with curved thorns like the seed found in Najd known as al-Sa’dan. The believer will cross over it like the blink of an eye, or like lightning, or like wind, or like powerful horses, or like camels. Some will be saved unscathed, some will be saved but scratched, and some will be thrown into the fire of Hell until the last of them crosses it, being dragged. [Bukhari 7439, Muslim 183]
Reflect upon this situation, as we will all inevitably face it. Herein, the true and real winners emerge. For people on this bridge are of three types. Reflect on these three groups and the passing of people over this bridge laid across Hell.
Consider your condition, as you stand on this bridge, which in some hadiths is described as being thinner than a hair. Reflect upon placing your right foot on it, with people in front of you and behind you, some passing safely, some getting scratched and let go, and some cast headlong into the fire of Hell. From which of these groups are you?
So consider your situation, as you are heading towards this reality. Picture as you cross this slippery bridge with hooks and clamps and thorns seizing people according to their deeds. For people will cross this bridge at different speeds, some like lightning, some like the wind, and others like swift horses, according to their deeds and extent of obeying Allah the Exalted in this worldly life.
Allah Almighty says:
وَإِن مِّنكُمْ إِلَّا وَارِدُهَا ۚ كَانَ عَلَىٰ رَبِّكَ حَتْمًا مَّقْضِيًّا * ثُمَّ نُنَجِّي الَّذِينَ اتَّقَوا وَّنَذَرُ الظَّالِمِينَ فِيهَا جِثِيًّا
Maryam (19) 71-72: (71) And there is none of you except he will come to it. This is upon your Lord an inevitability decreed. (72) Then We will save those who feared Allāh and leave the wrongdoers within it, on their knees.
Reflect upon this reality. Will you be among the saved and successful? May Allah protect us from the Fire and bless us with the triumph of Paradise.
What are the characteristics of the triumphant and what are their deeds through which they achieved this great victory? Indeed the answer is in the Book of Allah, the Exalted. One verse in the Quran summarizes the causes of victory. Allah, the Exalted, says in Surah An-Nur:
وَمَن يُطِعِ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَيَخْشَ اللَّهَ وَيَتَّقْهِ فَأُولَـٰئِكَ هُمُ الْفَائِزُونَ
An-Nur (24) 52: And whoever obeys Allāh and His Messenger and fears Allāh and is conscious of Him – it is those who are the attainers.
Those having these four characteristics, namely, obedience to Allah, obedience to His Messenger ﷺ, fear of Allah, and consciousness of Allah by avoiding sins and misdeeds, will be among the triumphant and successful.
Next reflect upon the state of the triumphant and what they will have after their salvation from the fire. What lies ahead for these winners? Allah, the Exalted, says:
إِنَّ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ مَفَازًا * حَدَائِقَ وَأَعْنَابًا * وَكَوَاعِبَ أَتْرَابًا * وَكَأْسًا دِهَاقًا * لَّا يَسْمَعُونَ فِيهَا لَغْوًا وَلَا كِذَّابًا * جَزَاءً مِّن رَّبِّكَ عَطَاءً حِسَابًا- النبأ 31 – 36
An-Naba (78) 31-36: (31) Indeed, for the righteous is attainment (32) gardens and grapevines (33) and full-breasted [companions] of equal age (34) and a full cup (35) No ill speech will they hear therein or any falsehood (36) [as] reward from your Lord, [a generous] gift [made due by] account.
What a great state and what a wonderful outcome! They crossed the bridge and passed over it. Allah, the Exalted, spared them from the fire. Before them lies paradise with its eternal bliss. Picture the dwellers of paradise entering through its gates, securing the ultimate triumph and the greatest reward. Contemplate upon your own situation and outcome. Allah Almighty said:
يَوْمَ تَرَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ يَسْعَىٰ نُورُهُم بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَبِأَيْمَانِهِم بُشْرَاكُمُ الْيَوْمَ جَنَّاتٌ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ
Al-Hadid (57) 12: On the Day you see the believing men and believing women, their light proceeding before them and on their right, [it will be said], “Your good tidings today are [of] gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein you will abide eternally.” That is what is the great attainment.
And Allah Almighty said:
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتٌ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْكَبِيرُ
Al-Burooj (85) 11: Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds – for them are gardens beneath which rivers flow. That is the great attainment.
أَقُولُ مَا تَسْمَعُونَ وَأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ لِي وَلَكُمْ مِنْ كُلِّ ذَنْبٍ فَاسْتَغْفِرُوهُ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ
I say what you have heard and I seek forgiveness from Allah for me and you from every sin. So seek forgives from Him, Verily He is Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.
Second Khutbah
الحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ, وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ , وَ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَاْ إِلَهَ إِلَّاْ اَللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَاْشَرِيْكَ لَهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدَاً عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُوْلُهُ
All praise is to Allah, and peace and blessings upon the Messenger of Allah, and I bear witness that there is no deity other than Allah and I bear witness that Mohammad is His slave and messenger.
Oh Muslims:
Know that in this life we are in a transient abode and not in a permanent one. We will move from this passing worldly life to the eternal abode of the everlasting life. Allah Almighty says:
وَمَا هَـٰذِهِ الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا لَهْوٌ وَلَعِبٌ ۚ وَإِنَّ الدَّارَ الْآخِرَةَ لَهِيَ الْحَيَوَانُ ۚ لَوْ كَانُوا يَعْلَمُونَ
Al-Ankabut (29) 64: And this worldly life is not but diversion and amusement. And indeed, the home of the Hereafter – that is the [eternal] life, if only they knew.
In that abode, the people of faith will enjoy everlasting bliss and great success. In that abode, the people of faith will be saved from the wrath and punishment of Allah. As for those who turn away from Allah, His religion, and His obedience, their fate is as Allah says:
فَلَا تَحْسَبَنَّهُم بِمَفَازَةٍ مِّنَ الْعَذَابِ
Aal-Imran (3) 188: Never think them [to be] in safety from the punishment
Therefore, it is crucial for us to keep our minds and thoughts focused on this great triumph—the triumph of being saved from the fire and entering paradise. Believers should constantly and continually, throughout all their days and nights, remember this significant moment. They should take the necessary steps to attain salvation from Allah’s wrath and punishment, and success in His paradise and bliss. They should continuously ask Allah, the Exalted, for His grace. For it has been reported in an authentic hadith that the Prophet ﷺ said:
ما سأل رجلٌ مسلمٌ اللهَ الجنةَ ثلاثًا ، إلَّا قالتِ الجنةُ اللهم أدخلْهُ الجنةَ ، و لا استجارَ رجلٌ مسلِمٌ اللهَ منَ النارِ ثلاثًا ، إلَّا قالتِ النارُ اللهمَّ أجرْهُ منِّي
No Muslim asks Allah for Paradise three times but Paradise will say: O Allah, admit him to Paradise. And no Muslim seeks protection with Allah from the Fire three times but the Fire will say: O Allah, save him from me. [Sahih Al Jami 5630, Ibn Majah 4340, Grade: Sahih]
Thus, every day the believer should ask Allah for paradise and to be saved from the fire, and take the means to enter paradise and be saved from the fire.
Reflect on these meanings and do not let the pleasures of this worldly life distract you away from true success.
May Allah Almighty make us all among the true winners and guide us to His obedience and to the straight path. Indeed, Allah is All Hearing, Answering.
هَذَا وَصَلُّوا وَسَلِّمُوا عَلَى نَبِيِّكُم كَمَا أَمَرَكُمْ بِذلِكَ رَبُّكُمْ , فَقَالَ
I conclude with this and send prayers of blessings and peace upon your Prophet as your Lord commanded:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ۚ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا
Al Ahzaab (33) 56: Indeed, Allah confers blessing upon the Prophet, and His angels [ask Him to do so]. O you who have believed, ask [ Allah to confer] blessing upon him and ask [ Allah to grant him] peace.
اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنا فِيمَنْ هَدَيْتَ وَعَافِنا فِيمَنْ عَافَيْتَ وَتَوَلَّنا فِيمَنْ تَوَلَّيْتَ وَبَارِكْ لنا فِيمَا أَعْطَيْتَ وَقِنا شَرَّ مَا قَضَيْتَ إِنَّكَ تَقْضِي وَلاَ يُقْضَى عَلَيْكَ وَإِنَّهُ لاَ يَذِلُّ مَنْ وَالَيْتَ تَبَارَكْتَ رَبَّنَا وَتَعَالَيْتَ
O Allah, guide us with those whom You have guided, grant us well-being among those You have granted well-being, be an ally to us along with those whom You are an ally to, and bless what You have bestowed upon us, and save us from the evil of what You have decreed. For verily You decree and none can decree over You. He whom You support can never be humiliated. Glory is to You, our Lord, You are Blessed and Exalted.
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ مِنَ الْخَيْرِ كُلِّهِ عَاجِلِهِ وَآجِلِهِ مَا عَلِمْنا مِنْهُ وَمَا لَمْ نَعْلَمْ وَنَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الشَّرِّ كُلِّهِ عَاجِلِهِ وَآجِلِهِ مَا عَلِمْنا مِنْهُ وَمَا لَمْ نَعْلَمْ اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ خَيْرِ مَا سَأَلَكَ عَبْدُكَ وَنَبِيُّكَ وَنَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا عَاذَ بِهِ عَبْدُكَ وَنَبِيُّكَ اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ الْجَنَّةَ وَمَا قَرَّبَ إِلَيْهَا مِنْ قَوْلٍ أَوْ عَمَلٍ وَنَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ النَّارِ وَمَا قَرَّبَ إِلَيْهَا مِنْ قَوْلٍ أَوْ عَمَلٍ وَنَسْأَلُكَ أَنْ تَجْعَلَ كُلَّ قَضَاءٍ قَضَيْتَهُ لَنا خَيْرًا
O Allah, We ask You for all that is good, in this world and in the Hereafter, what we know and what we do not know. O Allah, we seek refuge with You from all evil, in this world and in the Hereafter, what we know and what we do not know. O Allah, we ask You for the good that Your servant and Prophet has asked You for, and we seek refuge with You from the evil from which Your servant and Prophet sought refuge. O Allah, we ask You for Paradise and for that which brings one closer to it, in word and deed, and we seek refuge in You from Hell and from that which brings one closer to it, in word and deed. And we ask You to make every decree that You decree concerning us good
عِبَادَ اللّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالْإِحْسَانِ وَإِيتَاءِ ذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَيَنْهَىٰ عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنكَرِ وَالْبَغْيِ يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ
Servants of Allah. Indeed, Allah orders justice and good conduct and giving to relatives and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression. He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded.
اُذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ الْعَظِيمَ يَذْكُرْكُمْ واشْكُرُوهُ يَزِدْكُمْ واسْتَغْفِرُوهُ يَغْفِرْ لكُمْ واتّقُوهُ يَجْعَلْ لَكُمْ مِنْ أَمْرِكُمْ مَخْرَجًا وَأَقِمِ الصّلَاة
Remember Allah, the Great – He will remember you. Thank Him for His favors – He will increase you therein. And seek forgiveness from Him – He will forgive you. And be conscious of Him – He will provide you a way out of difficult matters. And, establish the prayer.
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