Are Abundant Work and Wealth Signs of True Success?

Understanding 'true success' from the perspective of the Holy Quran fundamentally differs from common worldly definitions, which are often based on the accumulation of wealth and fame. While the Quran encourages earning a lawful livelihood and striving in life, and considers wealth and children as adornments of this worldly life, it strongly warns that these should not become humanity's ultimate goal, diverting individuals from their primary purpose of creation: servitude to God and achieving felicity in the Hereafter. In the Quranic view, true success is rooted in inner peace, a deep connection with the Creator, performing righteous deeds, and attaining divine pleasure, rather than merely material accumulation. The Quran explicitly states that wealth and children are tests and trials for humanity. In Surah At-Taghabun, verse 15, it says: “Indeed, your wealth and your children are but a trial, and Allah has with Him a great reward.” This verse indicates that wealth and offspring can be instruments for evaluating one's faith and character. Does one, upon possessing them, show gratitude and fulfill divine rights, or does one become arrogant, forgetful, and violate the rights of others? If excessive work and wealth distract a person from remembering God, from fulfilling their obligations, from serving humanity, and from nurturing their soul, then they are not signs of success; rather, they can be factors leading to downfall and loss. The Quran repeatedly emphasizes that worldly life is transient and fleeting, and what endures are good deeds and rewards in the Hereafter. In Surah Al-Kahf, verse 46, we read: “Wealth and children are [but] adornment of the worldly life. But the enduring good deeds are better with your Lord for reward and better for [one's] hope.” This verse clearly states that true value lies in 'al-baqiyat al-salihat' (enduring good deeds), which encompasses every good action performed for the sake of God, leaving a lasting impact in this world and the Hereafter. These deeds include beneficial knowledge, continuous charity (sadaqah jariyah), raising righteous children, and any benevolent act one performs for society. Surah At-Takathur addresses this issue in an admonishing tone. Allah says: “Competition in [worldly] increase diverts you until you visit the graveyards.” (Surah At-Takathur, verses 1 and 2). These verses highlight a spiritual and social ailment where humanity is preoccupied with accumulating more and more wealth and possessions, without considering their ultimate purpose and destination. This preoccupation prevents them from contemplating death and the life thereafter. This type of life, though outwardly glamorous and seemingly successful, is, from the Quranic perspective, a clear manifestation of loss, as it distances the individual from their true existential reality and leads to emptiness. Conversely, the Quran defines 'Falah' as true success, which is closely linked to piety (taqwa), faith (iman), and righteous deeds (amal salih). 'Falah' means salvation, triumph, and prosperity, which brings peace and blessings in this world and guarantees paradise and divine pleasure in the Hereafter. In the opening verses of Surah Al-Baqarah, after describing the righteous, it states: “Those are upon [right] guidance from their Lord, and it is those who are the successful.” (Al-Baqarah, verse 5). This success is measured not by material possessions but by piety and adherence to divine guidance. One of the most crucial lessons from the Quran regarding success is the concept of 'moderation and balance.' In Surah Al-Qasas, verse 77, we read: “But seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter; and [yet], do not forget your portion of the world; and do good as Allah has done good to you. And desire not corruption in the land. Indeed, Allah does not like corrupters.” This verse provides a comprehensive charter for a balanced life. Working and striving for livelihood and enjoying worldly blessings are permissible and even desirable, provided that the ultimate goal, the Hereafter, is not forgotten, and this enjoyment does not lead to corruption or transgression. A successful person is one who strives for both their worldly life and accumulates provisions for their Hereafter, maintaining a balance between the two. Therefore, abundant work and wealth are not, by themselves, signs of true success or failure. They are tools that can be utilized on the path to true success (i.e., attaining closeness to Allah and eternal felicity) or, conversely, become obstacles that divert one from this path. True success, from the Quran's perspective, lies in the correct utilization of these tools for higher purposes, in living a life of piety and chastity, in serving others, in gratitude for divine blessings, and in inner peace and contentment with divine decree. A person whose heart is full of contentment and remembrance of God feels successful and blissful even with minimal resources, while an individual who has spent their entire life accumulating wealth and status might feel emptiness and anxiety at the peak of their riches and fame. This is the fundamental difference that the Quran teaches us.