The key to Success according to Islam

 
Allah is used in Islam to refer to God. Muslims hold that Allah is the only true God, the architect of the cosmos, and the only being deserving of their devotion. It is believed that Allah is transcendent, all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-merciful. Muslims hold that Allah has revealed His will to humanity via a number of prophets, with the Quran serving as the last and ultimate revelation, given to the Prophet Muhammad.

Satan in Islam is referred to as Iblis. Iblis is a jinn, a supernatural creature made of smokeless fire by Allah, who defied His order to prostrate before Adam, the first human. Iblis was created as a representation of evil as a result of his disobedience, and he is frequently linked to leading people astray from the path of righteousness. He is regarded as a rival and a liar who seeks to divert people from the way of God. Iblis does not, however, possess the same authority or stature as Allah in Islamic thought. Muslims argue that Iblis lacks the authority to direct human behavior and can only seduce and influence people. Individuals are ultimately responsible for avoiding these temptations and turning to Allah for direction.

According to the Quran:

Numerous verses in the Quran make reference to both Satan (Iblis) and Allah (God) in various situations. The following verses discuss these two subjects:

Allah's Power and Sovereignty:
"Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The example of His light is like a niche within which is a lamp, the lamp is within glass, the glass as if it were a pearly [white] star lit from [the oil of] a blessed olive tree, neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil would almost glow even if untouched by fire. Light upon light. Allah guides to His light whom He wills. And Allah presents examples for the people, and Allah is Knowing of all things." (Quran 24:35)

Satan's Deception:
"Indeed, Satan is an enemy to you; so take him as an enemy. He only invites his party to be among the companions of the Blaze." (Quran 35:6)

Satan's Promise of Deception:
"And [Iblis] said, 'By Your might, I will surely mislead them all except, among them, Your chosen servants.'" (Quran 38:82)

Allah's Protection Against Satan:
"And say, 'My Lord, I seek refuge in You from the incitements of the devils, and I seek refuge in You, my Lord, lest they be present with me.'" (Quran 23:97-98)

Satan's Oath to Mislead:
"And [Iblis] swore by Allah to them, 'Indeed, I am to you from among the sincere advisors.' So he made them fall, through deception. And when they tasted of the tree, their private parts became apparent to them, and they began to fasten together over themselves from the leaves of Paradise. And their Lord called to them, 'Did I not forbid you from that tree and tell you that Satan is to you a clear enemy?'" (Quran 7:21-22)

These verses highlight the contrast between the might and direction of Allah and the cunning attempts of Satan to mislead people. They stress the importance of Muslims remaining consistent in their faith and turning to Allah for protection from Satan's power and trickery.

According to Hadiths:

Islamic Hadiths are narrations or sayings attributed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and provide additional context and explanation to the teachings found in the Quran. While the Quran is considered the primary source of Islamic guidance, Hadiths are important secondary sources. Here are a few Hadiths that mention Allah and Satan:

Hadith about Seeking Refuge from Satan:
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "When you enter your house, say 'As-Salamu 'Alaikum' for it will be a means of blessings for the people of the house. When you eat, say 'Bismillah,' and if you forget to say it at the beginning, say it at the end. And when you finish, say 'Al-Hamdu lillah.' If you drink water, say 'Bismillah' and if you forget to say it at the beginning, say it at the end. Say 'Bismillah' when you enter the toilet. When you finish, say 'Ghufranak.' And when you come out of the toilet, say 'Al-Hamdu lillah.' The angels say 'O Allah, forgive him, O Allah, have mercy on him' as long as he is in a gathering. One should not sit on a bed on which one has just had a sexual intercourse, or sleep on it, without first beating it with one's garment. If someone intends to have sexual relations with his wife, he should say: 'Bismillah, Allahumma jannibna ash-Shaitan wa jannib ash-Shaitan ma razaqtana (In the name of Allah, O Allah! Keep us away from Satan and keep Satan away from what You bestow upon us).' Then, if a child is conceived as a result of this act, Satan will not harm it." (Narrated in Sahih Bukhari, Book 76, Hadith 49)

Hadith about Satan's Influence on Prayer:
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "When the call for prayer is pronounced, Satan takes to his heels and passes wind with noise during his flight in order not to hear the call being made, and when the call is finished, he comes back. When the call for prayer is made, Satan takes to his heels and passes wind with noise during his flight in order not to hear the call being made, and when the call is finished, he comes back and again takes his place with you. When the call for prayer is made, Satan takes to his heels and passes wind with noise during his flight in order not to hear the call being made, and when the call is finished, he comes back and again takes his place with you. O Abu Huraira! This is your Satan." (Narrated in Sahih Bukhari, Book 1, Hadith 37)

Please note that Hadiths are typically referenced by their content and the collections in which they appear, such as Sahih Bukhari or Sahih Muslim. The numbers can vary between different editions and translations of these collections. It is advisable to consult a reliable collection of Hadiths to get the exact reference and number.

The 99 Names of Allah emphasize the qualities and attributes Muslims consider Allah to possess. Satan (Iblis), on the other hand, stands for the adverse forces of disobedience and temptation, testing people's faith and resolve to continue down the path of righteousness. These two ideas—Allah and Satan—serve as the cornerstones of Islamic theology and morals, with Allah serving as the highest authority on guidance and salvation and Satan as a skeptic of human devotion and faith.

Here are some comparisons:

Satan is not the Creator, but Allah Al-Khaliq (The Creator)
Allah Ar-Razzaq (The Provider), where Satan is Depriver
Where Satan is Careless, Allah Al-Hafiz (The Preserver)
Satan is the destroyer, whereas Allah Al-Mu'id (Restorer) is the Restorer
In the place of Satan's harm, Allah An-Nafi (The Benefactor)

and the list continues:

Allah Ar-Rahman (The Most Gracious), where Satan is Unforgiving
Allah Ar-Rahim (The Most Merciful), where Satan is Merciless
Allah Al-Malik (The Sovereign), where Satan is Unauthoritative
Allah Al-Quddus (The Holy), where Satan is Profane
Allah As-Salam (The Source of Peace), where Satan is Discord
Allah Al-Mu'min (The Guardian of Faith), where Satan is Untrustworthy
Allah Al-Muhaymin (The Protector), where Satan is Negligent
Allah Al-Aziz (The Mighty), where Satan is Weak
Allah Al-Bari' (The Evolver), where Satan is Stagnant

Allah Al-Musawwir (The Fashioner), where Satan is Unformed
Allah Al-Ghaffar (The Forgiver), where Satan is Unforgiving
Allah Al-Wahhab (The Bestower), where Satan is Selfish
Allah Al-Fattah (The Opener), where Satan is Closer
Allah Al-Alim (The Knower of All), where Satan is Ignorant
Allah Al-Basit (The Reliever), where Satan is Distresser
Allah Ar-Rafi (The Exalter), where Satan is Abaser
Allah Al-Mu'izz (The Bestower of Honor), where Satan is Humiliator

Allah As-Sami' (The AllHearing), where Satan is Deaf
Allah Al-Basir (The AllSeeing), where Satan is Blind
Allah Al-Hakam (The Judge), where Satan is Unjust
Allah Al-Adl (The Just), where Satan is Unfair
Allah Al-Latif (The Subtle), where Satan is Coarse
Allah Al-Khabir (The AllAware), where Satan is Uninformed
Allah Al-Halim (The Forbearing), where Satan is Hasty
Allah Al-Azim (The Magnificent), where Satan is Insignificant
Allah Al-Ghafur (The Forgiving), where Satan is Unforgiving
Allah As-hShakur (The Appreciative), where Satan is Ungrateful

Allah Al-Ali (The Sublime), where Satan is Lowly
Allah Al-Kabir (The Great), where Satan is Small
Allah Al-Muqit (The Nourisher), where Satan is Negligent
Allah Al-Hasib (The Reckoner), where Satan is Unaccountable
Allah Al-Jalil (The Majestic), where Satan is Unimpressive
Allah Al-Karim (The Generous), where Satan is Stingy
Allah Ar-Raqib (The Watchful), where Satan is Negligent
Allah Al-Mujib (The Responder), where Satan is Unresponsive
Allah Al-Wasi' (The Vast), where Satan is Limited

Allah Al-Hakim (The Wise), where Satan is Foolish
Allah Al-Wadud (The Loving), where Satan is Hateful
Allah Al-Majid (The Glorious), where Satan is Disgraced
Allah Al-Ba'ith (The Resurrector), where Satan is Unreviving
Allah Ash-Shahid (The Witness), where Satan is Absent
Allah Al-Haqq (The Truth), where Satan is Falsehood
Allah Al-Wakil (The Trustee), where Satan is Unreliable
Allah Al-Qawi (The Strong), where Satan is Weak
Allah Al-Matin (The Firm), where Satan is Feeble
Allah Al-Wali (The Protecting Friend), where Satan is Adversary

Allah Al-Hamid (The Praiseworthy), where Satan is Blameworthy
Allah Al-Muhsi (The Accounter), where Satan is Unaccountable
Allah Al-Mubdi (The Originator), where Satan is Imitator
Allah Al-Muhyi (The Giver of Life), where Satan is Taker of Life
Allah Al-Hayy (The EverLiving), where Satan is Mortal
Allah Al-Qayyum (The SelfSustaining), where Satan is Dependent
Allah Al-Wajid (The Finder), where Satan is Loser
Allah Al-Majid (The Noble), where Satan is Mean
Allah As-Samad (The Eternal), where Satan is Temporary

Allah Al-Qadir (The Able), where Satan is Unable
Allah Al-Muqtadir (The Determiner), where Satan is Indecisive
Allah Al-Muqaddim (The Advancer), where Satan is Delayer
Allah Al-Awwal (The First), where Satan is Last
Allah Az-Zahir (The Manifest), where Satan is Hidden
Allah Al-Batin (The Hidden), where Satan is Manifest
Allah Al-Muta'ali (The Most Exalted), where Satan is Low
Allah Al-Barr (The Generous), where Satan is Miserly
At-Tawwab (The Acceptor of Repentance), where Satan is Unforgiving
Allah Al-Afu (The Pardoner), where Satan is Punisher

Allah Ar-Ra'uf (The Kind), where Satan is Unkind
Malik alMulk (The Owner of All Sovereignty), where Satan is Ownerless
DhulJalali walIkram (The Possessor of Majesty and Generosity), where Satan is Lack of Majesty and Generosity
Allah Al-Muqsit (The Equitable), where Satan is Unjust
Allah Al-Jami' (The Gatherer), where Satan is Scatterer
Allah Al-Ghani (The SelfSufficient), where Satan is Needy
Allah Al-Mughni (The Enricher), where Satan is Impoverisher
Allah An-Nur (The Light), where Satan is Darkness

Allah Al-Hadi (The Guide), where Satan is Misleading
Allah Al-Badi' (The Incomparable), where Satan is Common
Allah Al-Baqi (The Everlasting), where Satan is Temporary
Allah Al-Warith (The Inheritor), where Satan is Disposer
Allah Ar-Rashid (The Righteous Guide), where Satan is Misguided
Allah As-Sabur (The Patient), where Satan is Impatient
Allah Al-Halim (The Forbearing), where Satan is Hasty

How to pray for a solution, and what role do prayers play in our lives?

While praying, Muslims can pray saying Allah Al-Hadi (The Guide) or Allah Ar-Rashid (The Righteous Guide) for guidance when they are lost so that they can discover a solution.

When we are in need, committed sin, or grieving, we might pray saying Allah Ar-Rahman (The Most Generous), Allah Ar-Rahim (The Most Merciful), Allah Al-Ghaffar (The Forgiver), and Allah Al-Ghafur (The Forgiving) to ask for His pity on our souls and for the ease of our circumstances, among other things.

We can pray Allah Ar-Razzaq (The Provider), Allah Al-Wahhab (The Bestower) to help us if we are in need and need financial support by training us or by assisting us in becoming more productive etc.

We forget as Muslims that Satan destroys, deceives, imitates, and lies rather than fashioning, designing, providing, maintaining, or preserving like the Almighty Allah does. Free will provide us two choices. Either submit to Allah or disobey him. Arrogance, ego, and jealousy are terms used to describe those who reject Allah. We enjoy competing, and studies show that those with a competitive disposition have the qualities listed below. 

So, What is the likelihood of Success for being positive or negative?  

• Only 1% of persons, who are potential negative practitioners, think they are successful in obtaining the gratification that they might cause harm to others, much like Satan.
• However, (for 99%) as the 99 names of Allah suggest, all other abilities and talents belong to Allah, and the only thing we can do is ask Him or pray to Him for help in carrying out our responsibility as a provider.

We talked about Negative practitioners. 

What is the percentage of those Negative practitioners?

Negative practitioners are 99%. Here is a Hadith that tells us how many people will be able to avoid hellfire in the hereafter:

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The first man to be called on the Day of Resurrection will be Adam who will be shown his offspring, and it will be said to them, 'This is your father, Adam.' Adam will say (responding to the call), 'Labbaik and Sa`daik' Then Allah will say (to Adam), 'Take out of your offspring, the people of Hell.' Adam will say, 'O Lord, how many should I take out?' Allah will say, 'Take out ninety-nine out of every hundred." They (the Prophet's companions) said, "O Allah's Apostle! If ninety-nine out of every one hundred of us are taken away, what will remain out of us?" He said, "My followers in comparison to the other nations are like a white hair on a black ox."

Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 6529

In-book reference : Book 81, Hadith 118

USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 8, Book 76, Hadith 536

Speaking of success, the aforementioned hadith states that there is only 1% among us since 1st man Adam will be able to skip Hellfire for disobeying Allah's commandment.

In conclusion, it is important to realize that success in Islam is not solely based on material possessions or outside achievements. A balanced lifestyle, a solid moral foundation, and spiritual well-being are all crucial elements of real success, according to Islamic teachings.