Can one achieve both worldly success and God's pleasure?

The question of whether one can achieve both worldly success and God's pleasure is a profound one, central to the Islamic worldview. From the perspective of the Holy Quran and authentic Islamic teachings, not only are these two objectives not mutually exclusive, but they can be harmoniously integrated and even complementary. Islam is a religion of balance and moderation, rejecting both extreme asceticism (total renunciation of the world) and absolute materialism (forgetting the Hereafter). Instead, it advocates for a middle path, one of equilibrium and proportionality. This balance, often referred to as "Wasatiyyah," is the essence of the Quranic vision for life. Allah Almighty has indicated in numerous verses of the Quran that this world is the cultivation ground for the Hereafter, and that humans can, through their righteous deeds and intentions, benefit from worldly blessings while also accumulating rewards for the afterlife. This comprehensive view encourages believers to be active and dynamic in their worldly lives, but never to lose sight of the ultimate goal: the pleasure of their Lord and the attainment of eternal bliss. This balance demonstrates the perfection of Islamic teachings, which address all dimensions of human existence, both material and spiritual. The Holy Quran explicitly states that human beings can and should enjoy the blessings of this world, but this enjoyment should not deter them from their ultimate purpose of creation. Allah says in Surah Al-Qasas, verse 77: "And seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter; and [yet], do not forget your share of this 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 noble verse provides a complete framework for a balanced life: the primary goal is the Hereafter, but the world also has its share. Earning a lawful livelihood, striving to improve one's life, and benefiting from divine bounties are not only permissible but are even encouraged under certain conditions. Worldly success in Islam is not solely confined to the accumulation of wealth. Rather, it encompasses any progress and achievement that leads to the well-being and benefit of the individual and society. This ranges from success in science and knowledge to proficiency in a profession or trade, from family health and peace to playing an effective social role. This worldly success leads to divine pleasure when it is pursued with a sincere divine intention and within the framework of Islamic values and laws. How does worldly success lead to divine pleasure? 1. Divine Intention (Niyyah): Every action, including striving for sustenance and success, if undertaken with the intention of drawing closer to God and fulfilling a divine duty, transforms into an act of worship. When an individual works hard to provide a lawful living for their family, or observes the utmost honesty and integrity in their profession to earn God's pleasure, these activities themselves are considered great acts of worship. This pure intention gives spiritual meaning and value to our daily activities. 2. Adherence to Halal and Haram: Worldly success must be achieved through lawful and permissible means. Avoiding interest (riba), deception, oppression, hoarding, and any unlawful gain is a fundamental condition for the blessing and validity of wealth and success. Unhealthy incomes can never lead to divine pleasure, even if they are financially significant. God only blesses pure and wholesome sustenance. 3. Gratitude and Mindfulness: Worldly achievements and gains should not lead to heedlessness or forgetting God. In Surah An-Nur, verse 37, Allah describes noble men whom: "Neither commerce nor selling distracts from the remembrance of Allah and performance of prayer and giving of zakah. They fear a Day in which hearts and eyes will [fearfully] turn about." This verse indicates that legitimate business and trade do not contradict remembrance and worship; rather, a true believer is someone who does not forget God even at the peak of worldly successes. Gratitude for blessings, proper use of them, and acknowledging that all comes from God's grace, ensure continuity and blessing, and lead to divine pleasure. 4. Giving and Helping Others: Worldly wealth and power, if used in the service of God's creation, for alleviating the needs of the poor, promoting justice, and advancing society, exemplify divine pleasure. Zakat, charity (sadaqah), endowments (waqf), and any form of beneficence are means of purifying wealth and drawing closer to Allah. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) stated: "The best of people are those who are most beneficial to people." This generosity and benevolence increase divine blessings and fill the human heart with peace. 5. Non-Attachment and Proper Perspective: Worldly success is permissible, but excessive attachment to this world and forgetting the Hereafter can deviate a person from the right path. The world should be in one's hand, not in one's heart. It should be seen as a means to achieve noble goals, not an end in itself. Imam Ali (AS) stated: "This world is the farm of the Hereafter," meaning one must sow good deeds in this world to harvest their fruits in the Hereafter. This non-attachment helps one maintain peace even when facing losses. 6. Patience in Adversity and Gratitude in Prosperity: The path to worldly success is not without challenges. One who, with reliance on God, exercises patience in this journey, and shows gratitude upon achieving success, attains divine pleasure. This patience and gratitude demonstrate the depth of faith and reliance on God's infinite power. 7. Spiritual and Ethical Soundness: Worldly successes should not lead to arrogance, pride, envy, or the violation of others' rights. Maintaining humility, fairness, good character, and a spirit of service are signs of achieving success coupled with God's pleasure. Good morals and just conduct are a believer's main assets in both worlds. Indeed, the life pattern of a successful Muslim is that of a comprehensive individual who is successful in both the material and spiritual dimensions of their life. They utilize their intelligence, talents, and efforts to advance in this world, but they make this advancement a bridge to attain proximity to God. They understand that all they possess is a trust from God and must be utilized in the best possible way. They use their wealth to spread goodness and their power to establish justice. Many Islamic scholars and leaders have been prime examples of this combination of worldly success and divine pleasure. While being preeminent in sciences, trade, or governance, they were also devout worshippers by night and diligent workers by day, never forgetting God. This demonstrates that achieving both is not only possible but desirable and the very essence of human perfection. Therefore, with complete confidence, it can be affirmed that yes, one can indeed achieve both worldly success and God's pleasure. The condition is that worldly success is not made the ultimate goal, but rather a means to achieve divine pleasure; it must be attained with pure intention, through lawful means, and for the benefit and betterment of oneself and society, never forgetting the remembrance of God and one's spiritual duties. In this way, both this world and the Hereafter will be attained by the believer, and true happiness in both abodes will be his portion.