The Pillars of Islam: The Pillars of Success - Sh. Navaid Aziz

"Does Islam have the answers to all problems? And Do Muslims necessarily achieve success when they embrace Islam? And if this is the case, why does today's reality run counter to that logic?" with these challenging questions Navaid Aziz a prominent Islamic orator began his lecture titled "The pillars of Islam, The pillars of success" in the fourth day of a seven lecture program organized by the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), aimed at non Arabic speaking Muslim communities living in Dubai.

Shaykh Aziz said that Prophet Muhammad the last and final messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) has taught Muslims every thing they should know in their life, because he was not sent to teach them only about prayers, fasting and Zakat, but also about success.

Aziz said that the Noble Quran clearly stated that in Surah Al Maidah, which reads "This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion"

Aziz added that the Self-help, or self-improvement industry, which means self-guided improvement economically, intellectually, or emotionally, often with a substantial psychological basis is estimated to exceed 11 billion Dollars in 2008, according to Research firms in US alone.

Aziz said that the world should not dictate the feeling of success upon Muslims; rather Muslims should dictate their feeling of successes upon the world by changing their mindset and way of life.

"The anecdote of a Muslim is like a lap-top, which comes with a pre-installed operating system that needs to be activated before you start using it; this operating system, is the principles and values of Islam and that is why Muslims do not completely have to turn to the self-help industry to look for principles of success because Islam has clearly defined the steps leading to success" said Aziz.

"Pioneers of Islam during the early years of "Da'wah" who achieved great successes recognized that success can not be achieved, no matter how many supplication a Muslim made, unless he takes the practical necessary steps to achieve success" said Aziz.

"Pillars of Islam corresponds to pillars of success, if we look at the first pillar of Islam, which is acceptance of Islam by declaration or the "Shahadatayn", which means worshiping and obeying the One and only God, Allah and accepting Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as his last and final Messenger, effectively opens the gates of success to a person, because once he accepted Islam, he feels happy and liberated from fear and worry and that Allah the Mighty takes care of him" said Aziz.

Aziz went on to say that the second pillar of Islam, which is the 5 times prayers increases the productivity of Muslims and protects them from health risks like blood pressure and diabetes, especially when they commit themselves to Salat Al- Fajr the dawn prayer.

"Going to the Masjid' for the prayers help establish an extensive network of social relations with other "Masijid" goers who often meet before prayers and have a chance to chat and share thoughts, which is a fundamental prerequisite for success" said Aziz.

Shaykh Aziz added that the third pillar of Islam which is the 'Zakat' is in effect the establishment that Allah created to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor, so the latter category do not have to resort to stealing or violence to gain it's livelihood and by asking Muslims to give charity. Allah teaches Muslim mathematics not only to calculate the 2.5% that a Muslim has to pay yearly from his savings, which exceeds the equivalent of 85 grams of 24 "karat" gold, but also to better handle their assets and budget their cash flow.

The fourth pillar of Islam which is the 'Saum' or fasting during Ramadan is not about abstaining from food and drinks ,or even the health benefits of fasting ,rather it is about teaching Muslims not to worry about their next meal, because Allah almighty will take care of every thing" said Aziz.

Aziz said the fifth and the final pillar of Islam ,which is the Hajj or pilgrimage is not only about sacrificing Muslims money time and effort, rather it is the ultimate test that Allah puts every Muslim to measure his patience, self control and enduring stress. All of which are crucial characteristics for a successful businessman in today's world.

Sh. Navaid Aziz is one of the latest additions to AlMaghrib's instructor line-up. Hailing from Montreal, Quebec, he obtained a degree in Economics and Social Science. There after he went to the Islamic University of Madinah where he spent three years attaining an associates degree in Arabic before attaining his Bachelor's Degree in Shari'ah. Sh. Navaid serves the community as a marriage and youth counselor. His most recent project, can be found at http://www.myspiritualfix.com Also, connect with him on Facebook via http://www.facebook.com/navaidaziz