THE MIND IS THE MOST POWERFUL GOAL-STRIVING MECHANISM

‘Do they not ponder in their minds

[the meeting with Allah]?’ —(Surah ar-Rum, ayat 8)

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lmighty Allah has blessed every human being with a mind that is a powerful goal-striving mechanism. The future is invented in the mind of human beings by the inspiration of Almighty Allah. We have been favoured with the mind and the brain; these are powerful agencies, instruments, forces that mankind can use to return to Allah fulfilled. The brain works by means of vibrations and frequencies; it is our hardware that is used to translate and attract thoughts. The brain is the sending and receiving station of thought. The mind is all over the body; it has the ability to travel.

This powerful bio-computer called the brain that Almighty Allah has blessed us with is divided into the right and left hemispheres. The right side of the brain deals with form, shape, art, music, imagination, creativity, intuition and vision. The left side deals with language, logic, abstract reasoning and analytical thinking. We must integrate the right and left sides of the brain to enable them to work in harmony for a balanced personality.

We must reprogramme our minds with positive thoughts and feelings. Always glorify the Names of Almighty Allah; this will, Insha’Allah, attract and unleash the power of Almighty Allah within us. Think success and allow the imagination, through the power of Almighty Allah, to create what we want in life. Remember, we attract into our lives whatever we think about throughout the day. Good thoughts motivate and attract its like; pessimistic thoughts are a magnet for negative energy that destroys the personality by creating fear and uncertainty.

Almighty Allah’s power will respond to the thoughts in our minds. Positive, powerful thoughts that we focus on will activate the necessary vibration within us and Almighty Allah will respond.

Almighty Allah blesses us with what we think about, whether we want it or not. What we give thought to is what we invite into our lives. In the Noble Qur’an, Almighty Allah promises success to those firmly committed to Him. In Surah al-A‘la, we read: ‘He will prosper and achieve happiness who purifies himself, and glorifies the Name of the Lord and Sustainer, and so offers sincere salat [to Allah] by linking up with Him’ ([87]:14–15).

Many people live their lives reacting to daily events rather than creating the circumstances they see in their dreams.

The billions of people living life without a goal are similar to ships without rudders. If we don’t know where we are going in this temporary life that is where we will end up: nowhere.

Without a goal in life there is no difference between us and cattle. The cattle wake up in the morning, eat, drink, sleep, copulate, and are satisfied, it has no goal as it lives by instinct.

Humankind do the same, the only difference is we have the ability to think and have a choice either to live like cattle or use the powerful instruments that have been conferred upon humankind by Almighty Allah to discover Him. Have a goal in life and use the mechanism we have been blessed with by Almighty Allah.

In Surah an-Najm, Almighty Allah reminds mankind: ‘That man can have nothing but what he strives for; That the fruit of his striving will come soon in sight; Then will he be rewarded with a reward complete. That to Allah is the final goal’ ([53]:39–42).

Human beings will achieve only what they strive for; without struggle, labour and endeavour, human beings will gain nothing. To succeed both materially and spiritually we must follow the laws of the Noble Qur’an and the Sunnah of the noble Messenger Muhammad (S). The guidance with which Almighty Allah has blessed humankind will broaden our understanding of life and we will develop a clear, welldefined goal. All our expectations should be in Almighty Allah; we should fear none but Him as He is the final goal.

Be among the fortunate who know exactly what they want out of life; establish clear, well-defined goals. One of the most important steps we can take in life is to determine exactly what we want.

Set aside some time tonight to make a ‘want’ list; spend as much time as you need to write down what you would most like to have. Your list can have hundreds of items, some spiritual and some material; write down as many as you can think of. You may opt for enhancement of faith, development of the soul, pursuit of knowledge, understanding, love, happiness, a beautiful house or a new car. If you are married, it is a good idea to prepare your list with your spouse.

When you have completed your ‘want’ list, choose from it one spiritual and one material goal. Your choice should be the ones you sincerely want the most. Write each one on separate pieces of paper. The spiritual choice must be to begin reading the Noble Qur’an and the material choice may be any other desire we want that will enhance our life in this temporal dimension.

Now put your ‘want’ list away and focus on the one spiritual and one material choice you wish to accomplish first. That is developing the soul, mind and body. Remember, pursuing knowledge and love, and being grateful to Almighty Allah require no money; all the good things in life are free. Wealth has its uses and abuses, the noble Messenger Muhammad (S) said: ‘Wealth properly employed is a blessing and a man may lawfully endeavour to increase it by honest means.’ Almighty Allah calls upon humankind to earn wealth, and be generous. Charity empowers the soul, and builds the spirit of the big-hearted selfless believer. Charity is to the soul what rain is to soil. Rain creates the condition to increase the soil’s output tremendously, so too does charity attract abundance.

Almighty Allah wants us to discover Him and unleash His power within us. He says in Surah al-Baqarah of the Noble Qur’an: ‘And the likeness of those who spend their substance seeking to please Allah and to strengthen their souls’ ([2]:265).

Everything we do in this material world, we must ensure is done for the pleasure of Almighty Allah. We are encouraged to build a business, provide employment and generate wealth. Wealth, Almighty Allah says, is for the use of and in trust to humankind; do not hoard or misuse wealth. Human beings of true charity seek Almighty Allah’s pleasure to empower their souls. They are inclined to attract the bounties of Almighty Allah that strengthen them both spiritually and materially. Charitable people circulate their blessings of abundance freely with all who are in need and that shapes their destiny.

In another verse in the Noble Qur’an Surah at-Tauba, Almighty Allah warns humankind about hoarding wealth: ‘And there are those who hoard gold and silver and spend it not in the way of Allah; announce unto them a most grievous penalty’ ([9]:34). Almighty Allah condemns those who hoard their wealth and neglect spending on righteous causes.

Almighty Allah forbids gaining wealth in unlawful ways, accumulating it or hoarding it. He warns us and advises us not to spend in ways that are not beneficial to humankind and not to abuse wealth on unnecessary luxuries for personal ostentation. In the physical pleasures of life Almighty Allah condemns excess, as it borders on criminality.

In Surah at-Tatfeef (also known as al-Mutafifeen), Almighty Allah condemns fraud and waste: ‘Woe to those that deal in fraud’ ([83]:01). He talks of fraud when we are looking for short cuts in life. He declares war on the deceitful that are not honest in their methods of doing something worthwhile. The dishonest way impacts negatively on our creativity, as our mind spends energy on giving too little and asking too much. We try and exact a higher standard for ourselves and don’t add value to those we serve. When we are willing to serve, we will be rewarded accordingly. Life is about being selfless. How can we ask Almighty Allah for His Mercy and love when we are unwilling to share His Grace with each other?

Almighty Allah also warns us in Surah at-Taghabun: ‘Your riches and your children are but a trial’ ([64]:15). Material wealth and prosperity are ours only during our short life on earth. The gift He has granted to us is ours only in trust. Everything eventually returns to Almighty Allah. We may leave it for our children, but we are ultimately responsible for how they spend it. Possessions have their advantages and disadvantages.

People who half-heartedly want to do too much at one time, ultimately run around in circles and often accomplish little or nothing at all. This is the primary cause of suffering, confusion and indecision afflicting many. A ship can only reach one port at a time. The same principle applies to human beings when it comes to achieving goals. Usually we can achieve only one goal at a time. We must always bear in mind that our thoughts are the real force; they attract what we think.

Once you have decided on the one goal you intend to reach first, write down both the spiritual and the material goals on a card and carry it with you. Think about your goal first thing in the morning and last thing at night. Think about it as often as you can. By doing this, you establish your subconscious mind, which works day and night through the power of Almighty Allah, to show you the way to success. Picture your goal in your mind’s eye as if you already have it; be sure to be specific and expect success from Almighty Allah.

Lack of vision, resulting in confusion, separates those who ‘have’ and those who ‘have not’ in every sense. At the moment we are nothing more than the sum total of our thoughts. Where we will be next year or five years from now will be the result of what we think about from this point on.

In the Noble Qur’an Surah al-Anbiya, Almighty Allah promises the righteous: ‘Whoever works any act of righteousness and has made a faith commitment to Allah, his endeavour will not be rejected; We shall record it in his favour’ ([21]:94).

That is Almighty Allah’s law of cause and effect, action and reaction. Almighty Allah rewards the believer for every act of righteousness, however small. Fused with sincere faith in the power of Almighty Allah, this is the central basis and stepping stone to the higher things in life, both in the material and the spiritual dimensions.

Establishing a goal is vital to success. By constantly thinking about what we wish to accomplish, we begin to move towards it and bring it closer to us. When we concentrate and focus on one goal at a time, our thinking acquires the power, direction, economy and speed for success.

Once we know where we are going, we know why we get out of bed in the morning. We know why we work and why it is important to put our best effort into the goal or vision. We then move away from people who are sailing through life without purpose.

During rush hour, stand on a busy street corner and watch the passing crowd; watch how they walk, and watch their faces. You will notice most don’t seem interested, happy or purposed; they appear rather dull and uninterested. After a while you will notice a person with a quick and purposeful step. This person has good carriage and posture with interesting, intelligent eyes. His walk shows he knows where he is going and he will insist on getting there. This individual, filled with confidence, goal-orientated, is going to accomplish a dream that he carries in his mind and heart.

There are billions of people who don’t know what they want or where they are going and are living a life without a goal. Have a mission in  life;  put  all  the  energy  Almighty Allah has blessed us with, behind the goal. Nothing can beat a person who has a clear goal and purpose in life. Almighty Allah will bless us with the answers we need.

The person who acts with a purpose and has a plan attracts opportunities. Almighty Allah gives humankind anything if they know exactly what they want and focus on achieving it. Be like a laser; focus, don’t allow any distractions to take us away from our goal. Make today the day to decide on a definite  goal.  Write  it  down,  think,   ponder   and   plan exactly how to succeed. Now immediately put the plan into action. Our future is what we make of it; let our decision be exactly what we want it to be.

Allow the imagination free rein, dream large dreams, and believe that nothing is impossible. Remember those who act with a purpose and a plan attract opportunities!

Faith in Almighty Allah will guide us to success. Faith is a motivating force that Almighty Allah has blessed us with; it is like a magnet that draws us towards our goal. In the Noble Qur’an Surah al-Baqarah, Almighty Allah promises guidance  to  all  the  truly  committed  believers  that  have

 

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absolute faith in Him: ‘Allah guides whom He wills by His Grace to a path that is straight’ ([2]:213).

In Surah Muhammad, Almighty Allah gives glad tidings to His faithful servants: ‘Allah will guide them and improve their condition’ ([47]:05). This point is repeatedly emphasized in the Noble Qur’an. For instance, in Surah at-Taghabun, Almighty Allah assures the believers: ‘No calamity befalls except by Allah’s leave and if anyone makes a firm commitment to Allah, He guides his heart (aright); for Allah knows all things’ ([64]:11).

We must bear in mind that whatever we do in this material dimension must be to please Almighty Allah. He encourages success in all fields of human endeavour. Almighty Allah wants us to enjoy the fruits of His creation in this temporary material heaven. In which we will have to account to Almighty Allah for all our dealings. He wants us to establish a firm moral code which accords with the basic principles of the divine teachings not only in commercial dealings but every aspect of our life. Remember there is infinite intelligence within that Allah has blessed us with to assist us in fulfilling our desires. It is this power that will build our mind to achieve success and set us on to the high road to happiness, health and peace of mind.

In Surah Yasin, Almighty Allah says: ‘And we produce therein orchards with date palms and vines, and we cause springs to gush forth therein, that they may enjoy the fruits of His (artistry)’ ([36]:34). We should forever be grateful to Almighty Allah for these and countless other blessings He has bestowed upon us.

Our stay on this temporary planet is a great blessing whether we experience happiness or adversity. Almighty Allah wants us to build our mind that will help us achieve any goal we desire.  Insha-Allah, by following His guidance we will always remain in a happy state.  Our thoughts will be sound, our soul will enjoy a sense of peace and security.  Use the mind, the most powerful blessing ever to appear on this material plain to build the power of the soul.

Almighty Allah repeatedly speaks to us in the Noble Qur’an about vision and pondering. He says: think and ponder. The noble Messenger Muhammad (S) spent many days and nights in the Cave of Hira, high above Makkah, experiencing the power of silence, thinking, pondering and seeking guidance from Almighty Allah. The many years of such contemplation in the solitude of the cave ultimately resulted in Allah’s revelation being sent to the noble Messenger Muhammad (S) through Angel Gibraeel. This was the beginning of the revelation of the Noble Qur’an, the most positive, powerful, miraculous book on earth. Let us read it and programme our bio-computers with the software that can perform miracles.

Almighty Allah repeatedly stresses in the Noble Qur’an —as many as 90 times—that only those who make a firm

MOST POWERFUL GOAL-STRIVING MECHANISM 

commitment to Him (often translated as ‘believers’, but that does not fully convey the meaning inherent in the word mu’min or its plural mu’minoon) will succeed; He helps those who help themselves to succeed in life. Help from Almighty Allah is necessary; His law says ‘you become what you think’.