It’s a well- known fact that the straight line is the shortest route towards one’s target destination, that’s why it’s largely acknowledged as the most preferable path one should tread.- Check out Recipe 47
In your pursuit of success, follow the same, tread the straight path, with all that involves of clarity, truthfulness and honesty- maneuvering doesn’t take you anywhere, let alone sucks your energy, needlessly.
The straight path also involves avoiding all doubtful matters- refraining from all that which you don’t feel comfortable with, and over and above, contradicts our foremost identity and set of belief, i.e Islam.
Best human development theories are to be found and extracted one way or another from the noble teachings of Islam, which lay strong emphasis on the treading the Straight Path particularly in the matter of creed and worship, the most important and foremost purpose of our being, so how about less important and worldly matters?
Of the variety of instances mentioned in the Quran and Sunnah, of which I will list a few here.
Allah Almighty says:
“Go straight as you have been commanded,” {Quran 11:112}
And the Almighty also says: “The angels descend on those who say, ‘Our Lord is Allah,’ and then go straight: ‘Do not fear and do not grieve, but rejoice in the Garden you have been promised! We are your protectors in the life of this world and in the Hereafter. You will have there all that your selves could wish for. You will have there everything you demand. Hospitality from One who is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
– (W41:29-31; H41:30-32)
And in another instance, Allah Almighty says:
“Those who say, ‘Our Lord is Allah, and then go straight will feel no fear and will know no sorrow. Such people are the Companions of the Garden, remaining in it timelessly, for ever, as repayment for what they did.”
– (W46: 12-13; H46:13-14)
Abu ‘Amr, and it is said Abu ‘Amra Sufyan ibn ‘Abdullah, narrated, “I said, ‘Messenger of Allah, tell me something about Islam which I could not ask from anyone but you.’ He said, ‘Say, “I have believed in Allah” and then go straight.'”
– [Related by Imam Muslim]
Also Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
“The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:
“Tread the middle way and be upright but know that none of you will be saved by what he does.” They said, “Not even you, Messenger of Allah?” He said, “Not even me unless Allah covers me with mercy and bounty from him.”
– [Related also by Imam Muslim]
The positive influence of the straight path is clearly stated in all what’s mentioned above- it protects against deviation and keeps one faithful to his origin and core.
So tread the straight path and go straight in all life matters, you’ll save yourself a lot of slipping and erring, let alone much unwanted deviation.
May Allah grant you all the good of this World and the Other- Amen!
By: Maha Youssuf
maha@muslimtribune.org
Posted on December 31, 2011
Stay tuned for more effective recipes for Success insppired from the Quran and Sunnah of our beloved Prophet (PBUH)
