Don’t Blame Yourself, Work Hard & Move On

Work hard towards achieving what you believe is beneficial for you.

(Prophet Muhammad)

Work Hard

You need a job? Work hard towards it. Use the capacity that the Almighty has given you to achieve it. You’re not feeling well? Go to the doctor, go and do something about it. You want to get married? Get up and do something, talk to people, and try things. Don’t just sit and say: “I believe in the Almighty Allah, He’s predestined everything. If it’s meant to be, it will come to me in my lounge!”

The Almighty gave you the capacity, the technology, the ability… He has written for us things, but obviously He expects us to play our role. Use your capacity, use your brain, use whatever Allah gave you and do your best.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

A strong believer is better and is more lovable to Allah than a weak believer, and there is good in everyone, (but) cherish that which gives you benefit (in the Hereafter) and seek help from Allah and do not lose heart, and if anything (in the form of trouble) comes to you, don’t say: If I had not done that, it would not have happened so and so, but say: Allah did that what He had ordained to do and your” if” opens the (gate) for the Satan.

(Muslim)

Move on

Don’t say that, “if I did this, perhaps that will happen”. You already did it, close your eyes and carry on; don’t blame yourself and don’t go backward; go forward.

 We all make mistakes, we’re human, we’re prone to error. When you make mistakes, learn to apologize, learn to make amends and learn to progress them, to move forward not backward.

 When you keep on looking back and thinking, “O I made a big mistake”, the Almighty will always forgive you.

Some might say, “what if I have associated partners with the Almighty?”

 I promise you He will forgive that too if you seek the forgiveness. The only time He won’t forgive, perhaps, if a person dies without seeking forgiveness, it’s up to Him, it’s His mercy, He can do what He wants.

But the warnings are connected to after you’ve died if you led a life that was filled of negativity, sin etc. and the Almighty says, “you have yourself to blame.”

 Obviously, He is Most Merciful, He has said that, “if I want, I will forgive you even then.”

SubhanAllah!

But I tell you, there is no point in going back and looking at a door that was closed and crying about it. Move. Life is too short.

About Dr. Mufti Menk
Dr. Mufti Ismail Menk is a leading global Islamic scholar born and raised in Zimbabwe. He studied Shariah in Madinah and holds a Doctorate of Social Guidance from Aldersgate University. Mufti Menk’s work has gained worldwide recognition and he has been named one of “The Top 500 Most Influential Muslims in the World” since 2010.