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GOALS
(2 - 2)
by Dr. Ahmed Adam
PHYSICAL & PERSONAL GOALS
For a Muslim, these goals must also be set in conjunction with the Final Goal. In this context, a Muslim views his body as a trust from Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala and hence safeguards his body, exercises his body and nourishes his body so that he knows that when his body is returned to the soil from which it was created, the body has not been intentionally damaged or harmed in any way. It is ironic that we pay more attention to looking after our motor cars (checking oil, water, unleaded fuel, regular servicing, etc) then we do looking after our marvelous and incredible bodies. An unbeliever however, views his body as his own; if he exercises or loses weight, he does it out of vanity to be fashionable; if he indulges his body with wine and drugs, he does not care, because the unbelievers view is “it is my body and I can do what I like.” However, the viewpoint of the Muslim is “this body belongs to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala and I am duty-bound to look after it.” Hence, we find the following:
(1) when a Muslim sets a goal to lose weight, it is with the intention to please Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala by keeping his body in a healthy physical condition
(2) a Muslim does not abuse his body or damage his organs with alcohol, tobacco, drugs or haraam food, because he knows that his body will be a witness against his soul on the Day of Judgement.
(3) a Muslim is eternally grateful to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala for his/her body and is not swayed by the latest media obsession with slim bodies, size or shape or skin colour, for Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala says:
He has created the heavens and the earth in just proportions, and has given you shape, and made your shapes beautiful: and to Him is the final Goal.
This verse gives tremendous boost to the self esteem & body image of every Muslim. We get an immediate sense of relief and satisfaction after reading this verse, since we have the assurance that Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala has made each and everyone of us beautiful. Even if we ever had the doubt that maybe our size or shape or skin colour is not to our satisfaction, when we read this verse, all doubts disappear and when we look in the mirror or when we look at any other human, we express thanks to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala. Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala is the Best of Planners. He knows exactly why He has given us our individual size, shape and colour.
For a Muslim therefore, setting Physical Goals are important, but they are set in conjunction with our Final Goal.
PHILANTHROPIC & SOCIAL GOALS
By no means shall ye attain righteousness unless ye give (freely) of that which you love ...
So give what is due to kindred, the needy, and the wayfarer. That is best for those who seek the Countenance of Allaah, and it is they who will prosper.
Those who establish regular prayer , and give regular charity , and have (in their hearts) the assurance of the Hereafter. These are on (true) Guidance from their Lord; and these are the ones who will prosper. (Luqmân31:4-5)
Narrated by Abu Huraira (radhiallahu`anhu): Allaah’s Apostle, Sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam said, “If I had gold equal to the mountain of Uhud, it would not please me that anything of it should remain with me after three nights (i.e. I would spend all of it in Allaah’s cause) except what I would keep for repaying debts."
Narrated by Adi bin Hatim (radhiallahu`anhu): The Prophet, Sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam said, “save yourself from hell-fire even by giving half a date-fruit in charity.”
Islam is in essence, a way of life. This means that a Muslim’s duty is not only to pray the prescribed formal prayers (which are very important) but also to reach out to the community and to humanity. Islam cares about the social welfare of society and it is the duty of the Muslim to uplift society & not to do anything that will harm individuals and society. Thus, the Social & Philanthropic Goals of Muslims are taken into context with our responsibility to our fellow humans while we are here on earth, and also being aware of our Final Goal.
An unbeliever has the mis-informed view that this life is all there is and that there is no accountability – i.e. if they can fool the legal system, then they are safe. Furthermore, some unbelievers are misguided, because of their unfortunate error in believing that they are already ‘saved’ because the Prophet Jesus (Nabi Eesaa`Alayhis Salaam) died for their sins. In contrast, Muslims believe in the accountability of the Hereafter. Each person is responsible for his/her actions. A Muslim knows that even if the earthly legal system is fooled in any way, there is a Day of Judgement, where the Judge on that Day will be Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala – on that Day, no soul will be treated unjustly, nor will anything be hidden. A Muslim therefore strives to attain nearness to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala by following the five basic pillars, namely:
(1) I bear witness that is no god worthy of Worship except Allaah and I bear witness that Mohammed, Sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam is the true and final Messenger of Allaah.
Narrated by Abu Huraira (radhiallahu `anhu): Allaah’s Apostle, Sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam said, " …The luckiest person who will have my intercession on the Day of Resurrection will be the one who said sincerely from the bottom of his heart “None has the right to be worshipped but Allaah."
(2) Salaah
(3) Fasting in Ramadaan
(4) Zakaat
(5) Hajj
A Muslim thereby sets goals for these duties. Furthermore, a Muslim knows that without a goal, nothing can be established. For example, many Muslims have completed their Hajj, simply by making a sincere intention (Goal), and kept focusing on this goal, and Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala accepted their prayers and made it possible for them to perform Hajj.
Pilgrimage thereto is a duty men owe to Allaah, those who can afford the journey
A Muslim pays as much attention to the Religious goals, as he does to other areas of his/her life. In fact, without a very strong religious goal, which includes striving in the path of spiritual enlightenment, the other goals have no meaning. The religious goal forms the central core that links all the other goals and gives meaning to our life. Hence, the religious goals and remembrance of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala play a very crucial role in the life of a Muslim:
… without doubt in the remembrance of Allaah do hearts find satisfaction.
… remembrance of Allaah is the greatest (thing in life) without doubt.
A Muslim who is a passionate philanthropist, but neglects all his Fard religious duties, is no different from a non-Muslim philanthropist. On the other hand, a Muslim cannot only focus on these five pillars to the exclusion of all other areas of his/her life. A Muslim therefore maintains balance in all areas of his life and he sets his Religious Goals in Harmony with his Accountability to the Final Goal.
Some unbelievers view their parents as a burden and send them to old age homes. Furthermore, some unbelievers treat their spouses very harshly and are quick to divorce and assault their wives. However a Muslims sets goals for his family and his wife based on the following guidance:
We have enjoined on man kindness to parents ... (Al 'Ankabűt 29:8)
Show gratitude to Me and to thy parents: to Me is (thy final) Goal.
Narrated by Al Mughira bin Shuba (radhiallahu`anhu):The Prophet, Sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam said, "Allaah has forbidden for you…, to be undutiful to your mothers…" (Saheeh Bukhaaree 3.591)
Narrated by Abdullah bin Amr (radhiallahu`anhu): A man came to the Prophet, Sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam asking his permission to take part in Jihaad. The Prophet, Sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam asked him, “are your parents alive? “ he replied in the affirmative. The Prophet, Sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam said to him, “Then exert yourself in their service.”
A Muslim’s goal is therefore to have the highest respect for his/her parents. A Muslim does not send his parents to the old age home, but sees it as an honour and a jihad to look after his parents. Furthermore , those Muslims who have lost their parents beseech Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala to be Kind and Merciful to their parents and pray that they should attain Jannat-al-Firdous
… My Lord ! Bestow on them Thy Mercy even as they cherished me in childhood. (
A Muslim cherishes and looks after his wife, according to the following Guidance :
And among His Signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves , that ye may dwell in tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts)... (Ar Rűm 30:21)
And
Narrated by Abu Huraira (radhiallahu`anhu): The Prophet, Sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam said,” " ... I advise you to take care of the women”
A Muslim therefore strives to look after his parents and also strives to lead a marital life that is harmonious. The Familial Goal is therefore set in conjunction with our Final Goal.
Muslims (male and female, young and old) are encouraged to seek knowledge. Knowledge is the most powerful weapon that we have against adversities and foes. Knowledge eradicates poverty and oppression. Muslims are encouraged to seek all forms of knowledge, both religious and secular, provided that the secular knowledge is pursued with the intention of benefiting society and humanity. Muslims should be at the forefront of all technological advances, and the passionate zeal for the acquisition and sharing of knowledge should be instilled in the Muslim youth from a young age. Furthermore, knowledge of the Qur`aan and the Sunnah should be shared with others according to the following guidance :
Narrated by Ibn Masud (radhiallahu`anhu): I heard the Prophet, Sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam saying, “ there is no envy except in two: a person whom Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala has given wealth and he spends it in the right way, and a person whom Allaah has given wisdom (i.e. religious knowledge) and he gives his decisions accordingly and teaches it to others.”
Narrated by Abdullah bin Amr (radhiallahu`anhu): The Prophet, Sall Allaahu `alayhi wa sallam said: “Convey (my teachings) to the people even if it were a single sentence.”
A Muslim therefore sets his Intellectual Goal in harmony with his accountability in the Hereafter.
ACTION PLAN
(1) we should all have goals in life; we should not lead this life without purpose; there is a reason why Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala has put us here on earth; there is a reason why Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala has placed us in this community and has given us our shapes, intellect and individual skills; we are all unique; one person is not better than another person. We have to look for our skills and explore the potentials that Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala has given us.
To each is a goal to which Allaah turns him: then strive together (as in a race) toward all that is good ... (Al-Baqarah 2:148)
(2) often we only focus on financial success to the detriment of the other spheres in our life; we must strive to achieve harmony and balance in our life.
(3) it is crucial to have a clearly defined set of objectives for each goal.
(4) all Goals must ultimately link up with the Final Goal to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala.
(5) the path towards a particular goal should be taken in the context of the Holy Qur`aan & the Sunnah of the Prophet, Sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam. Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala gives us hope and assurance when He says :
But give glad tidings to those who believe & work righteousness ... (Al Baqarah 2:25)
(6) We should avoid following the goals that are projected by the media or Hollywood stars; our Final Goal is to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala and we should never lose sight of this very crucial fact; We should not concern ourselves with how much money or material possessions other people appear to have:
(7) There are several techniques that one can use to succeed in setting goals :
(a) write down the objectives for each category of Goal;
(b) visualize the goal;
(c) write down a starting date and deadline for the goal;
(d) have a step-by-step action plan specifically outlining how you will achieve your goal;
(e) start today – do not wait for a ‘new year’; each day is a new beginning;
(f) persevere and don’t lose focus.
CONCLUSION
Material possessions can always (most of the time) be replaced. If you buy a car and subsequently you don’t like it, you can always change it. If you bake a cake and it flops, you can always bake another cake. However, we only get one chance for our life. If we neglect our life, we do not get a second chance to come back and correct our mistakes. The only way to ensure that we will not lead a life of regrets is to have goals that are in harmony with the Qur`aan and the Sunnah. Goal setting is crucial. However, setting the goal does not mean that the goal will be achieved. This will require hard work, discipline, focus, persistence and patience. Furthermore, we obtain great comfort in knowing that as long as we have tried and even if we do not achieve our goal, but provided that our intentions are noble, then Insha-Allaah, we will get rewarded as stated in the following Hadeeth:
Narrated by Umar bin Al Khattab (radhiallahu`anhu): The Prophet, Sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam said, “O people ! The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions.”
However, the best plans and goals, the most noble intentions and dreams, come to nothing unless they are put into action. Then only will we see results as stated as follows:
... Verily, never will Allaah change the condition of a people until they change it themselves (with their own souls) ... (Ar Ra'd 13:11)
We have to make the effort. We have to take the first step towards our goals and we have to place our trust and hope in Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala. We have to strive and persevere if we ever hope to achieve any of our goals. Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala gives us tremendous courage and hope when He says :
… And Allaah is full of kindness to those that serve Him
So lose not heart nor fall into despair ...
... Allaah is the Protector of those who believe ...
Our life in this world is only temporary. We are travelers, pilgrims of Eternity, souls in a temporary physical body. The earth is not our home as stated in the following:
Narrated by Mujahid (radhiallahu`anhu): Abdullah bin Umar (radhiallahu`anhu) said, "Allaah’s Apostle, Sall Allaahu `alayhi wa sallam took hold of my shoulder and said, 'Be in this world as if you were a stranger or a traveller.'"
And if we persevere in our goals, and do not lose our focus, and do not allow the illusory temptations of this temporary earthly world to distract us from the Straight Path, then Insha-Allaah, we will find success in our Final Home as stated in the following aayah:
“Peace unto you for that ye persevered in patience! Now how excellent is the final Home!”
We catch a glimpse of the excellence of the Final Home from the following:
Narrated by Abu Huraira (radhiallahu`anhu): The Prophet, Sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam said, ”A place in Paradise as small as a bow is better than all that on which the sun rises and sets (ie all the world).” He also said , “ A single endeavour in Allaah’s cause in the afternoon or in the forenoon is better than all on which the sun rises and sets.”
And
Narrated by Abu Huraira (radhiallahu`anhu): Allaah’s Apostle, Sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam said, “Allaah said, “I have prepared for my pious worshipers such things as no eye has ever seen, no ear has ever heard of, and nobody has ever thought of.”
May Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala Guide us to the Straight Path. May Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala give us the Strength and Endurance to Strive in His Path. May Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala accept our deeds. May Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala shower His Choicest Blessings on the Holy Prophet Muhammed, Sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam for showing us that it was only through his single-minded focus on one major goal to spread the True Word of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala, that the message of Islam spread. Neither suffering nor hardships, neither the offer of riches nor kingdoms swayed him from his mission. May we also learn from this glorious example and may we focus only on those goals that will earn the Pleasure of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala. May Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala, Most Gracious, Most Merciful, be Kind and Merciful to us on the Day of Accountability.
“Our Lord! Give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and defend us from the torment of the Fire” (Al Baqarah 2:201).
Ameen.
Next: Hope - Part 1-2
Copyright © 2002-2005 Dr. Ahmed Adam. All rights reserved. This article must be produced faithfully in full without alteration or omission and must be attributed to the author in all transmissions.
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