What is success? Ask 20 people what success is and you are likely to get 20 different answers. The Western definition of success is a more materialistic one and a man is judged to be successful or unsuccessful by the amount of money and prestige that he displays.

Islam on the other hand has very different criteria for judging success. The Holy Quraan says "The Glorious Qu'ran) In it there is guidance for those who fear Allah and believe in things not visible; they establish Salaah (prayer) and spend from what we have bestowed on them; and they believe in what has been sent down to you and sent down before you; and they are certain of the Aakhirah. (Hereafter) They depend on the guidance from their Lord; they are successful."
Surah Baqarah Verses 2-5

As you can see from the verse above, Islam defines a successful person as one who is obedient to Allah Almighty and who follows the teachings of the Prophet Muhamed (S.A.W), regardless of his financial position.

Imam Raghib Rahmatullah Alaihe has said that Falaah (success and happiness) in this world means the attainment of excellence in certain areas of worldly life. Falaah (success and happiness ) in the Aakhirah (Hereafter) consists of 4 things:

1. Eternal Life (there is no death)
2. Riches that have no shadow of poverty ( Unlike this world where the rich live in constant anxiety that they can lose all that they have)
3. Honor with no trace of disgrace
4. Knowledge with no taint of ignorance.

A man approached Abdullah Ibne Abbas Radiallaho anho (A Companion of the Prophet S.A.W) and asked him for some advice.
Ibne Abbas (R.A) advised the man to do 6 things:
1. To have faith in Allah Ta'alah about the things for which He (Himself) has taken responsibility (such as livelihood)
2. To fulfill the obligatory duties which Allah has assigned to you (such as prayer, charity, fasting, haj etc)
3. To keep your tongue always engaged in the remembrance of Allah
4. Don't obey Sahitaan (the devil) because the devil is jealous of the entire creation of Almighty Allah
5. Don't be so occupied in the building up of worldly requirements because this will affect the prospects of success in the hereafter.
6. To be a well-wisher of Muslims at all times.

How many of these wise pieces of council are you following? Will you be considered successful in the Aakhirah, where it matters the most? Or will you be a dismal failure even though you are a success in this transitory world?