Chapter 1: Understanding True Success

This narrative explores how we can achieve success in the eyes of God by cleansing our hearts from worldly attachments.

To illustrate, consider the purpose of all prophets sent by God: they aim to purify the hearts of humanity. Personally, I once found myself enveloped in darkness, equating success solely with worldly achievements—completing studies or excelling in business. However, I came to realize that true success lies in being esteemed by God rather than by fellow humans.

At the moment my heart is free from the allure of the world, I can genuinely be successful in the sight of God. The crux of the matter is that, according to divine wisdom, the primary affliction of mankind is the love of worldly possessions, a theme echoed in the scriptures of all prophets.

Section 1.1: The Path to Heart Purification

God states in the Qur'an that the genuinely successful individual is one who has eradicated the love of the world and its idols from their heart, instead embracing love for God, the Last Messenger, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and the Hereafter. This person frequently remembers God and engages in prayer.

For reference, see verses 14, 15, and 16 of Surah Al-Aala. Here, God highlights the contrast between those who prioritize worldly life over spiritual fulfillment.

Subsection 1.1.1: The Importance of Prioritizing the Hereafter

A person will remain unable to cleanse their heart of unnecessary worldly desires until they consciously choose to do so. The Last Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) illustrated this by likening the worldly life to a mere drop of water on a finger dipped in the ocean, where the ocean symbolizes the everlasting life of the Hereafter.

The distinction between these two forms of existence is profound, as indicated in Sahih Muslim 7197 Hadith No. The reality is that while humans often gravitate toward the fleeting pleasures of this world, the eternal life of the Hereafter is far superior.

Chapter 2: The Illusions of Worldly Life

The first video, Morning Devotional - Create in Me a Clean Heart (Psalm 51), delves into the importance of seeking a pure heart and the transformative power of prayer in our daily lives.

The second video, Cultivating a Pure Heart Established in Grace and Rooted in Love - Wednesday Morning Service, emphasizes the significance of nurturing a heart anchored in divine love and grace.

God reminds us that the life of this world is merely a transient spectacle. If humanity were truly aware, they would understand that life’s true essence lies in the Hereafter. This is reinforced in verse 64 of Surah Ankabut, where God elucidates the cycle of human life and the inherent maladies of the human condition.

It is crucial to recognize that God wishes for humans to comprehend the reality that the Hereafter is the ultimate goal, yet many choose to remain engrossed in worldly pursuits.

In another section of the Qur'an, God points out that life on Earth is a mere competition for wealth and progeny, often leading to forgetfulness of God. As we age, we become absorbed in gaining more, mirroring the life cycle of crops that grow, bear fruit, and are eventually harvested.

Ultimately, this earthly existence can distract us to such an extent that we neglect our duty to remember and worship God. The end result is severe punishment in the Hereafter for those who remain oblivious, while forgiveness awaits those who seek the divine.