Goals - Islamic Movement Of Florida (IMOF)

GOALS

(1 - 2)

by Dr. Ahmed Adam

“To Allaah we belong, and to Him is our return”

(Al Baqarah 2:156)

Introduction

The above verse beautifully encapsulates the simple yet voluminous answer to the question “what is the meaning of life?” that has plagued non-Muslim philosophers for centuries. The verse gives meaning to our day-to-day existence in this world and thus simultaneously gives us direction, comfort, solace, anticipation, hope, courage and fear .
We usually utter the above verse during times of difficulty or when we are informed that someone has died. However, life is such that we usually get into our daily routines fairly quickly and it is seldom that we take the time to ponder about our existence or about our life in this world. We take life as it comes. Furthermore, studies have shown that the majority of people fail to set any type of goals in their life and hence drift through the oceans of life like a raft on an uncharted stormy sea.
However, all of us,at some stage of our life, have set mini goals for ourselves called ‘new year” resolutions . The reason for setting these goals is mainly because of the media coverage and because it is ‘fashionable’ to set ‘new year’ resolutions. Furthermore, we write down ‘new year’ resolutions because we have a feeling that we are lacking in some area of our life that we know that we should change, for example, we set a goal to lose weight or earn more money or stop smoking. However, we find that soon after making these ‘promises‘ to ourselves, we either forget about these goals, or we find that we simply do not have the time to carry them out, or sometimes, we simply forget. Another year passes, and history repeats itself at the beginning of another year, and we once again set out to make a list of ‘new year’ resolutions or goals that we would like to accomplish in the coming year. But how many of us really accomplish our goals? How many of us really take the time to plan our goals? How many of us really know which goals are important?

The Journey

When we plan a long awaited overseas holiday or even a weekend trip, we usually go through much planning regarding every stage of the trip (e.g. tickets, itinerary, baggage etc). However, even though we plan a holiday in such detail, it is ironic that we sometimes don’t take the time to plan our life or even our journey to the Hereafter. We all know that someday we will all die. We all know that there is no escaping death. We all know that our life in this world is only a few seconds compared to the life in the grave and in the Hereafter. Yet, we do not take the time to plan for that journey. We live day in and day out, getting into a rut or a routine, where one day is no different from the next. Our journeys in this world are full of detailed planning and answers, yet our main journey, the most important journey of our life, is left to chance. The following table illustrates that we have more answers when it comes to planning a holiday then we do in planning our life.

Questions	Journey in this world (Holiday e.g. Mauritius)	Journey to the Hereafter
Do you know *where* you are going?	Yes	No - Could be Heaven or could be Hell
Do you know *when* you are *going*?	Yes	No - it can be at any time -usually sudden
Do you know when you will be *returning?*	Yes	Never – one way ticket
Do you know *how long* you will be gone?	Yes – few weeks	Forever - millions, millions …years - Eternity.
Do you have the opportunity to say farewell to friends & family before you go?	Yes	No
Do you know what *currency* to take?	Yes - eg. Travelers Cheques	Good deeds - but have I saved enough ?
Do you know what *provisions* to take?	Yes - Clothes, jewelry documents, accessories, sunglasses, cellphone etc.,	Yes - Few metres of white cloth only
Have you *planned* adequately for the journey?	Yes	I don’t know. I haven't thought about it much

Importance of Setting Goals

A life without a plan is a plan for failure. People who do not set goals, drift aimlessly in life, from one day to the next, not really knowing where they are going and not knowing if they have arrived. Setting goals is important since it gives direction, meaning and purpose to our life. Goals can be long term, medium term and short term. Ultimately, the short term and medium term goals must link up to the long term goals so that there is harmony and direction in our daily activities. The majority of people do not set goals for their life. This is a real pity since it is only by setting goals that we can unlock the tremendous potential that lays lurking within each of us. We will never know what we are capable of achieving if we do not set high enough goals for ourselves.

Leading a Balanced Life

If we agree that goal setting is important, the next obstacle to overcome is which goals are important. The majority of people only set financial goals. This type of thinking is ingrained in us from the time that we are in school. The only thing that matters is what career path we will choose and how much money we will earn so that we can buy all the luxuries of life and we can then be ‘independent.” Some people only set religious goals, others set only sporting goals, while other people do not set any goals at all. In our quest to find answers to a meaningful existence in life we obtain guidance from the Qur`aan and from the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet, Sall Allaahu `alayhi wa sallam. Islam is a way of life. This means that we should follow the “golden middle path” in everything that we do and we should not become extremists. If we set ourselves a goal that we want to do as much good as possible and pray as much as possible so that we can prepare for the Hereafter, then this is allowed provided that we do not harm either ourselves or anyone else in the process, as instructed by the Prophet, Sall Allaahu `alayhi wa sallam:

Abdullah bin Amr (radhiallahu `anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allaah, Sall Allaahu `alayhi wa sallam said: “ Have I not been informed that you offer prayer all the night and fast the whole day? I said ,”yes.” He, Sall Allaahu `alayhi wa sallam said, “ Do not do so; offer prayer at night and also sleep; fast for a few days and give up fasting for a few days because your body has a right on you, and your eye has a right on you, and your guest has a right on you, and your wife has a right on you…”

(Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree 8.155)

That is, our life must be in balance. There is no reward in activities that are pursued so excessively to the detriment of another part of our life. This glorious example of the Holy Prophet, Sall Allaahu `alayhi wa sallam said gives us clear guidelines on leading our life: i.e. a balanced life is a harmonious life. A balanced life is the way of Islam. Islam teaches us not to be extremists: i.e. neither do too little nor do too much, but follow the Golden Balance. Furthermore, our life comprises many dimensions and we should strive to seek a balance between all these various facets of our life. When setting goals for ourselves, we should not only focus on financial goals even though these goals may seem like a high priority to us, especially when the economy is down and the outlook looks gloomy. We should not pursue this goal to the detriment of other goals in our life. On the other hand, we should not become so obsessed about another goal, for example, spending an excessive amount of time on developing the physical goal to the detriment of financial goals. There should be harmony and balance between all of the following goals:
(a) Financial goals
(b) Religious goals
(c) Intellectual goals
(d) Social goals
(e) Family goals
(f) Personal goals
(g) Philanthropic goals
(h) Physical goals

Each person is a unique individual, and as such, each person decides ultimately what is important for them.

Focus is the Key

The successful achievement of any endeavour, any goal or any objective is solely dependant on one word: Focus. Without clarity of focus, you have a vague outcome. To achieve any goal, you must have a very clear mental picture of your goal (visualization). If you need to take a photo of someone, and if the camera is not focused, you obtain a blurred picture which you discard. Similarly, in life, if the goal is not crystal clear and focused, one’s whole life becomes wishy-washy. If you pursue too many goals simultaneously, once again you lose focus, becoming the proverbial "Jack of all trades, master of none." Islam has given us the key to our success in this world and in the Hereafter, namely Focus. Five times a day, the call to prayer is announced and the faithful face the Qiblah. The Qiblah gives direction. The Qiblah gives focus. The Qiblah serves as a daily reminder for our Final Goal. Furthermore, when we die, we are buried facing the Qiblah. The Qiblah serves as our focus in this world and during our thousands (or millions) of years in the Barzakh (grave) before our Day of Accountability. All thanks are due to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala, Most Gracious, Most Merciful, for giving us the wonderful gift of the Qiblah, to serve as a laser point, precise focus of direction for all Muslims throughout the world, so that we do not forget why we are here and we do not forget our Final Destination.

Which Goals should we pursue?

If humanity was left to their own devices, there would be disharmony and chaos. However, Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala, Most Gracious, Most Merciful, has given us clear Guidance in the Qur`aan and through the Sunnah of the Prophet, Sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam. Without His Guidance, we would surely be lost in the abyss of darkness. If we decide to set certain goals for ourselves, our natural temptation would be to compete with our neighbours, or what we see on TV or read in the fashion magazines. We would assume that these goals are worthy challenges. However, Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala, Most Gracious, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate, gives us the following Clear Guidance:

Your goal in the end is towards Allaah. (Al An'âm 6:164)

Allaah will bring us together, and to Him is (our) Final Goal.
(Ash-Shûra 42:15)

... There is no god but He: to Him is the Final Goal. (Ghâfir 40:3)

That to thy Lord is the Final Goal. (An Najm 53:42)

The above verses clearly indicate that our final goal is to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala. No matter how we live in this world, no matter how many goals we pursue, the final and most important goal is to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala. We are guaranteed that there will be a Day of Accountability, where all our actions and deeds will be Judged by the Master of the Day of Judgement. It therefore follows logically, that whatever we do, all our goals should be linked to the Final Goal. This means that a Muslim sets goals for himself/herself that are in harmony with our accountability in the Hereafter. A Muslim cannot set goals that will satisfy the latest fashion trends or what is seen on the Delusion Box (TV).

Goal Setting

For sake of brevity, only the key concepts in the following goals are discussed. Please refer to future articles where some of these goals will be discussed in greater depth, Insha-Allaah. Each person decides how much emphasis they would like to place on some goals rather than on others. We should refrain from measuring ‘success’ in terms of the ‘western’ notion that “success is how much money you have “. Islam encourages us to have a balanced life and it is good deeds that define success. Thus, a ‘poor’ person in this world, may be more ‘successful’ in the Hereafter , compared to a ‘rich’ person. We should therefore refrain from judging people only on their appearances. Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala Knows Best

Imran bin Husain (radhiallahu`anhu) narrated the Prophet, Sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam said, “ I looked into Paradise and found that the majority of its dwellers were the poor people…”

(Saheeh Bukhaaree 8.456)

FINANCIAL GOALS

An unbeliever has only one main objective in life: earn as much money as possible and enjoy the comforts and material possessions of this world and hoard as much money as possible. It is a selfish existence. For an un-believer, it is not important how the money has been obtained : whether honestly or through stealing, robbery, corruption, dealing in drugs, gambling or lottery. However, a Muslim views money as a trust from Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala, for he knows that each and every person will be accountable to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala on the Day of Judgement on two crucial questions pertaining to money:

How did you earn it? How did you spend it?

Different people have different views on acquiring money. Some people are satisfied and content with what they have, while others would like to be as productive as possible. It depends on how much emphasis and time each person wants to allocate to this goal. There is no harm in setting a goal to acquire as much wealth as possible, provided that the method is halaal (and it thus becomes a form of worship) and provided that the money that is acquired is not hoarded, but is used productively as stated in the following hadeeth:

Abu Said Al Khudri (radhiallahu`anhu) narrated that the Prophet, Sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam said: ”How excellent the wealth of the Muslim is, if it is collected through legal means and is spent in Allaah’s cause and on orphans, poor people and travellers. But he who does not take it legally is like an eater who is never satisfied and his wealth will be a witness against him on the Day of Resurrection.”

(Saheeh Bukhaaree 4.95)

The trappings of material possessions are like a sticky web. The more one has, the more one desires. The accumulation of material possessions for show or for competing with ‘others’ is a non-productive use of money and becomes a burden for the soul.

Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala warns the believer not to get tempted by the allurements of this world:
Fair in the eyes of men is the love of things they covet: Women & sons; heaped-up hoards of gold and silver; horses branded (for blood and excellence); and (wealth of) cattle and well-tilled land. Such are the possessions of this world’s life; but in nearness to Allaah is the best of the goals (to return to).
(Âl 'Imrân 3:14)

… the life of this world is but goods and chattels of deception.
(Âl 'Imrân 3:185)

Wealth and sons are allurements of the life of this world: but the things that endure, good deeds, are best in the sight of thy Lord, as rewards, and best as (the foundation for ) hopes.
(Al Kahf 18:46)

Furthermore, those people who have been blessed with wealth, should not abuse the wealth that Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala has given him:

O ye who believe! Let not your riches or your children divert you from the remembrance of Allaah. If any act thus, the loss is their own. (Al Munafiqûn 63:9)

Narrated by Al Mughira (radhiallahu`anhu), the Prophet, Sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam said: ” …Allaah has hated for you ….to waste wealth (by extravagance) …”

(Saheeh Bukhaaree 3.591)

Narrated by Amr bin Auf Al Ansari (radhiallahu`anhu),

he Prophet (SAW) said: “ By Allaah, I am not afraid of your poverty but I am afraid that you will lead a life of luxury as past nations did, whereupon you will compete with each other for it, as they competed for it, and it will destroy you as it destroyed them.”

(Saheeh Bukhaaree 4.385)

Finally, all sustenance comes from Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala:
“ Verily my Lord enlarges and restricts the provision to whom He pleases, but most men understand not.”

(Saba' 34:36)

Our wealth is a trial from Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala.The more wealth that is entrusted to us by Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala the longer will be our time for questioning on the Day of Accountability. We have to use halaal methods of acquiring this wealth. However, using halaal methods does not mean that we will become overnight millionaires. Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala blesses some people with increased sustenance and He tests some of us by restricting our sustenance. When we are being tested, we should not be impatient or tempted by Shaytaan, the Chief Whisperer, because if we start using haraam sources of income, then we have already failed the test. Yet, unfortunately, there are some people who want to acquire wealth at any cost, irrespective of who they harm in the process or which method they use:

"And violent is he in his love of wealth." (Al 'Adiyât 100:8)

For a Muslim, therefore, to set a Financial Goal is important, provided that the Final Goal to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala, and our accountability to Him, are kept in mind at all times. It is for this reason that some people choose to follow the example of the Prophet, Sall Allaahu `alayhi wa sallam by leading a simple life and not to be deluded by the material possessions of this world.

The above verse beautifully encapsulates the simple yet voluminous answer to the question “what is the meaning of life?” that has plagued non-Muslim philosophers for centuries. The verse gives meaning to our day-to-day existence in this world and thus simultaneously gives us direction, comfort, solace, anticipation, hope, courage and fear . We usually utter the above verse during times of difficulty or when we are informed that someone has died. However, life is such that we usually get into our daily routines fairly quickly and it is seldom that we take the time to ponder about our existence or about our life in this world. We take life as it comes. Furthermore, studies have shown that the majority of people fail to set any type of goals in their life and hence drift through the oceans of life like a raft on an uncharted stormy sea. However, all of us,at some stage of our life, have set mini goals for ourselves called ‘new year” resolutions . The reason for setting these goals is mainly because of the media coverage and because it is ‘fashionable’ to set ‘new year’ resolutions. Furthermore, we write down ‘new year’ resolutions because we have a feeling that we are lacking in some area of our life that we know that we should change, for example, we set a goal to lose weight or earn more money or stop smoking. However, we find that soon after making these ‘promises‘ to ourselves, we either forget about these goals, or we find that we simply do not have the time to carry them out, or sometimes, we simply forget. Another year passes, and history repeats itself at the beginning of another year, and we once again set out to make a list of ‘new year’ resolutions or goals that we would like to accomplish in the coming year. But how many of us really our goals? How many of us really take the time to our goals? How many of us really know goals are important?