A Bright Future

A Bright Future

1991 3 March 11 A Bright Future (324) Muslims should never forget that they are the Ummah of a Prophet who has been acknowledged by historians to be the most successful individual in the entire history of the world. According to the Qur’an, he came into this world to set a shining example (uswa-e-hasana) to all human beings. It would be quite correct to say that not only was he the most successful human being himself, but that he moreover showed us the secret of unparalleled success through the example of his life.

By being supremely successful himself, he set the example of supreme success for his own and succeeding generations.

It is a matter of historical record that the Prophet of Islam was faced with the severest of difficulties. Beset by hardships, not to speak of persecution, he nevertheless scaled the heights of personal success. An orientalist has aptly written of him that “he faced adversity with the determination to wring success out of failure.”

This is what the Qur’an means by saying that “every hardship is followed by ease.” (94:5). This Quranic teaching, along with the example of the Prophet’s life, shows that there is no justification for the Muslims to feel bowed down by frustration no matter what the circumstances. When the Creator of the Universe has Himself declared for all eternity that ‘every hardship is followed by ease,’ that surely indicates that every disadvantage is invariably accompanied by an advantage. That being so, what is there left to fear?

The truth of this message of the Qur’an has been proved right to a remarkable extent. Did not the Prophet, despite all manner of setbacks, achieve the greatest success in history? In a similar situation, Muslims should always remain hopeful. They should never allow their hearts to be weighed down by despair.

Muslims should realize that they are standing on the threshold of a very bright future. This is the eternal message that their Prophet has conveyed to them.