Conditions for Success

Conditions for Success

1990 12 December 11 Conditions for Success (274) Today, there is no one who will dispute Japan’s new-found status as a world economic superpower. Traditionally, it had always been military might which had put a nation into the forefront. But Japan, having suffered a severe decline in its fortunes as a result of the loss of such military might, decided to forge ahead on the economic front, on the assumption that there was no limit to economic strength. In so doing, it has proved that a nation can become a superpower solely by dint of the efforts it makes towards economic progress.

What enabled Japan to turn itself into a superpower? It certainly did not do so by creating a furore over its demands, or by relying on slogan-based politics. It was rather quiet, dogged perseverance which made it into a superpower. First of all, it frankly recognised its greatly reduced stature, and it very determinedly set about achieving the status which it has today. Mr. Subhash Chakravarti, a resident journalist in Tokyo, makes the following analysis:

Japan having long recognised the U.S. as the most important external factor in Asia is seeking to share power and influence with it without compromising Japan’s own self-interests or ambitions. (The Time of India, April 27, 1990).

This is the most important principle of progress in the modern world. Here, you have to be small in order to be great. You have to submit to subjugation in order to achieve domination. Here, going forward is only for those who can first endure the trial of being left behind.

In this world, losing can open the door to finding, provided we see effort as the key.

Surrendering to God, and wishing others well

1990 12 December 11 Surrendering to God, and wishing others well (70) Jarir came to embrace Islam. The Prophet asked him to extend his hand for the oath of allegiance. “Allegiance on what?” Jarir asked. “That you will surrender to God, and wish every Muslim well.” He then swore allegiance to the prophet. He was a very clever man. When swearing allegiance, he said to the Prophet that he would do what he could. Afterwards, this clause was included in everybody’s oath.