Epilogue

‘Amongst the signs of success at the end is turning to Allah at the beginning.

He who is illumined at the beginning is illumined at the end.’

—Ibn Ata’illah

We are so busy piling up material possessions that we no longer have time to contemplate or think about what truly matters. Let us strive to make life simpler and less complicated. Take time out! Think; slow down; press the pause button; and stop. Make salat times your pause; stop everything and focus on Almighty Allah.

In Surah al-Hadid, Almighty Allah reminds us of this temporary material dimension: ‘Know ye (all), that the life of this world is but play and amusement pomp and mutual boasting and multiplying (in rivalry) among yourselves, riches and children.’ ([57]:20).

Almighty Allah reminds individuals, groups and nations that are vigorously pursuing the temporary material things of this life—to the outright neglect of the higher values of

life—that this life is but a temporary phase. Almighty Allah’s Mercy and Power are accessible to all, like His rain. We must take advantage of all His Powers (Blessings) that are available to humankind.

Almighty Allah has blessed us with an opportunity while on earth to spiritually prepare ourselves and discover Him. We must control our desires for worldly possessions. True reality will dawn on us when we reach the grave if we strive passionately for more material comforts in comparison to spiritual needs, we will lose our way in the world. Follow the Sunnah of our noble Messenger Muhammad (S). Strike a balance between the spiritual and material requirements. Don’t allow abundance to distract us from Almighty Allah or our families.

Take care not to be too engrossed in acquiring material possessions; when death approaches and we look back, we will realize the most important values of this life have been neglected. We sacrificed ourselves for work and had no time for the people we truly love. Developing our family is our first responsibility; this is where we must spend most of our time. Our noble Messenger Muhammad (S) said there are three deeds that will go with us to our graves: our good deeds, charity; and the good deeds of our family and children. These deeds and the good of our family members will enhance our soul in the Hereafter.

Change the rules; understand and accept that the idea is to work for the sake of living, rather than living for the sake of work. Enjoy work and have the wisdom to know there is more to life than the nice things money can buy.

Let us begin to regard our families as our personal possession or community from which most of our personal satisfaction will come. Through our families we can gain a richer understanding of ourselves, develop greater insight, knowledge and wisdom.

To live a balanced, rewarding life, to experience spiritual fulfilment and internal happiness, take time to cherish the wonders of living. In order not to miss the gifts of life, invest time and energy in your family and yourself. Find out what you truly love to do and enjoy, then direct your energy towards doing it.

All the happy, healthy, satisfied people live a balanced life. They were never neglectful of their responsibility to Allah and His noble Messenger Muhammad (S). They spend their time productively pursuing a wide array of goals from business, family, personal development and service to the community. When we concentrate all our mental power and energy on an activity we love, abundance flows into our life. We can fulfil all our desires with ease.

Once we discover what we want in life, we will wake up in the morning, with a limitless reservoir of energy and enthusiasm. We will be able to focus all our thoughts on our goals. We won’t have time to waste; valuable mental power will not be dissipated on needless, exhausting, timeconsuming thoughts.

Erase the habit of entertaining unproductive thoughts or worry. We are forever experiencing thoughts; we have the power and ability to either entertain these thoughts or dismiss them.

The mind is both a sending and receiving station of thought. Every thought we think is a force of energy. We affect our outside environment by our thoughts and the outside environment is affecting us by the thoughts of those around us. The exchange of energy between the two never stops. Everything in life is energy.

Our family is our foundation; spend energy and enjoy time with your wife and children in a loving home. The best gift we can give our children is the gift of our time. We must become the change we wish to see in our families. Inspire and lead by example. Before we can expect others to change, we must change ourselves; become leaders in our homes.

As parents the best gift we can give our children is to inspire them by example. Be the adult we want our children to become; children watch every move their parents make. Our behaviour will have a profound influence on their lives.

It is sad that we have sight but no vision. We live day to day, with no sense of direction. Let us live our lives by choice, rather than by chance. Let us not live our lives by default, but by design, let us plan our future and destiny. Almighty Allah only gives us what we want in life. We get what we want in life, but must plan and strive for it. In Surah al-Imran, Almighty Allah assures and pledges ‘An excellent reward for those who work and strive’ ([3]:136).

Insanity is defined as doing the same every day and expecting a different result. Don’t allow our existence to be a thoughtless accident. Doing the same over and over and expecting a different result or expecting change is insanity. If we do not change our ways, our life, five years from now will be much the same as it is today.

Go home, sit with your family and openly discuss what you want five years from now. Make a five-year plan, to serve as a family guide allowing you to make wider choices on how you will spend your days and invest your time. Keep focus on what truly counts.

Our material and spiritual successes will only come if we focus on building the home. Through our family we can develop, build and boost our inner strength that is needed to give leadership in our homes. Our family is our foundation; like a launch pad of a rocket, once it is secure and in perfect order, we can soar to unimaginable heights.

Stop living a dual life; a pretence for society, and the real you in the home. Don’t be a good person in public and then be bad to those near and dear to you. Your husband, wife, children and family are the ones who count in life; they influence you and give you the satisfaction needed for personal growth.

Live a balanced life, read the Noble Qur’an and follow the Sunnah of the noble Messenger Muhammad (S).

Thank Almighty Allah for all His blessings and pray after every salat: ‘O Allah, give us good in this world, and good in the Hereafter.’ It is advisable to make at least one salat at home in Jamaat with the family. Our family is our responsibility; we must direct and develop the body, mind and soul of the family; encourage our children to go with us to the Masjid daily.

Our family is our responsibility, Almighty Allah instructs us to graciously guard our conduct and that of our families and all who are near and dear to us. Almighty Allah says in the Noble Qur’an (Surah at-Tahrim): ‘O you who believe, save yourselves and your families from the Fire [of Hell] ...’ ([66]:6). It is incumbent on every Muslim to pray to Almighty Allah for guidance and to guide his family to the straight path.

The noble Messenger Muhammad (S) said: ‘Blessed is the man who preaches the faith and righteousness to his household and cursed is the one who keeps his household to be ignorant of the faith and goodness of life.’

Read the Noble Qur’an, the Hadith or Sheikh Najjar’s selected stories for a few minutes at suppertime. Perform dhikr once a week with the family; talk about the Hereafter; read about the Noble Qur’an and about the Sunnah; remember there is power in repetition. Do the same daily and Almighty Allah will open doors beyond our expectations.

Give your wife and children plenty of love. The power of love and forgiveness has not yet been discovered. This powerful force has a life of its own; it grows with us and is able to unleash dormant forces, faculties and talents that are within our families and us.

Start living during prime time; this is between 1800 and 2200 hours when most of the public are watching television, and between Fajr and Ishraaq when most people are sleeping. Television is rapidly destroying family life and human relations, cutting off members of the family from one another. Television is the most destructive prying tool in this so-called modern world. Our real success in life can take a large leap when we stop watching other people performing and making money in their professions during prime time. Start living your own dreams in your own free time. Focus on what you want in life. The Noble Qur’an and the Sunnah will insha’Allah give you direction.

Starting our day with Fajr salat will improve the quality of our lives. Almighty Allah says in the Noble Qur’an (Surah alImran): ‘Those who show patience, firmness and self control; who are true in word and deed; who worship devoutly, who spend in the way of Allah and who pray for forgiveness in the early hours of the morning’ ([3]:17).

Almighty Allah promises success to those who pray their Fajr salat; this is when we begin to mould our destiny. Through the power of Almighty Allah we liberate ourselves from the captivity of the material world and from greed. This does not mean we should neglect the material dimension.

Both the material and spiritual dimensions are important. Creating a balance between the two will liberate our souls; we can then excel to great spiritual and material heights. Success in this world and the Hereafter is guaranteed.

Waking up for Fajr salat is a powerful gift we give to ourselves and to our family. The discipline of early rising is the most powerful tool to transform ourselves. Rising for Fajr, the angels come down with Almighty Allah’s permission. Fajr is very special; time slows down; and a deep sense of peace penetrates the air.

Praying Fajr salat regularly will improve the quality of life. Fajr salat helps us control the day, rather than letting the events of the day control us. Self-discipline is necessary to master our destiny; without effort life is meaningless. In Surah ar-Ra ‘ad Allah says: ‘For each person there are angels in succession before and behind him; they guard him by the command of Allah’ ([13]:11).

The initial energy spent in waking up for Fajr will be well worth it. If we are determined to change our way of life, to add value to our soul, then we must make the intention now! Intention attracts attention, and discipline is power. Pray to Almighty Allah, ask Him for help during Fajr and when you go to sleep.

Almighty Allah will come to your assistance. He knows our intention. All our thoughts are under Almighty Allah’s watch, He knows our thoughts. We must seek protection in Him.

Almighty Allah says in the Noble Qur’an in Surah alAnbiya: ‘The heavens and the earth were joined together (as one unit of creation), before we clove them asunder?’ ([21]:30). In Surah Ibrahim, He emphasizes: ‘One day the earth will be changed to a different earth, and so will the Heavens’ ([14]:48).

The heavens and the earth are one unit of creation; they were a single entity before Almighty Allah separated them. This world is a heaven where we have to strive to appreciate and live in harmony. The Hereafter is a heaven beyond our perception.

As we develop socially, spiritually and intellectually we see and understand that Almighty Allah created us to succeed. Our success and destiny is in our hands; our attitude determines our destiny. Remember, to be in misery is to drift; to be in ecstasy, satisfaction or paradise is to steer, and direct life. Don’t live life by accident.

In Surah ar-Ra‘d, Almighty Allah says: ‘Verily never will Allah change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves’ ([13]:11).

In Surah Fatir, Almighty Allah declares: ‘And establish regular salat, and whoever purifies himself does so for the benefit of his own soul; and the destination of all is to Allah’ ([35]:18).

Almighty Allah’s message in the Noble Qur’an is for us to consistently perform our salat with intense emotion.

By this, we will insha’Allah create a bond with Almighty  Allah. In Surah al-Ankabut, Almighty Allah says: ‘Recite what is sent of the book of inspiration to thee, and establish regular salat; for salat restrains from shameful and unjust deeds. Remembrance of Allah without doubt is the greatest deed in life. For Allah knows all that you do’ ([29]:45).

Nothing escapes Almighty Allah: our thoughts, words and deeds in the end will return to Him. Reading the Noble Qur’an, and studying it to understand will change the circumstances and shape our lives the way Almighty Allah wants us to be. We owe it to ourselves to understand Almighty Allah and the universe and what this power means to us. When we comprehend what Almighty Allah wants for us, we will insha’Allah be freed from the shackles that hold us back. We will then have everything we want in life. We can create the life of our dreams with the help and power of Almighty Allah