When Everyone Calls It Success but Allah Sees It Differently

As-salamu alaykum - I was thinking about this the other day. Imagine I’m on a bus with a bunch of young Muslim men and women, and we drive past a huge mansion up on a hill: beautiful design, a luxury car in the driveway, a big backyard and a pool - honestly, looks like a little piece of Jannah on earth. I turn to the group and ask, “Do you think that person is successful?” Most would answer, “Yeah, they’ve made it.” That’s how the world usually judges success: the house, the car, the comfort, the image. Then picture someone in a photo getting their college diploma, shaking hands with the university president. Ask anyone, Muslim or not, “Is that success?” They’ll say yes. New jobs, new homes, businesses, a marriage to your spouse - we celebrate all that, and they’re good things to be thankful for, Alhamdulillah. But later the bus passes a man living in a cardboard box, with old, tattered clothes. I ask again, “Is that man successful?” Everyone says, “No.” If I asked people of other faiths, or no faith, I’d likely get the same replies. That’s the issue. As Muslims, our idea of success should be different. The world measures it by wealth and looks, but Allah gave us a clearer view. Through that lens, the picture changes. Take Fir‘awn’s palace - one of the grandest homes ever built. People might call him successful, but to a believer he’s among the greatest losers. And think of Ibrahim (peace be upon him) - thrown out, alone, homeless at times, yet he’s one of the most successful humans in the sight of Allah. The Qur’an reminds us success isn’t about riches and failure isn’t about poverty. True success for us is obedience to Allah, not possessions or status. May Allah guide us to what truly matters. Ameen.