Verily, the one who fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way out for him and will provide for him from where he did not expect – Quran (65:2-3)
Ubaydullah ibn Mihsan al-Ansari al-Khatmi (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (SAW) said: Whoever among you wakes up in the morning secure in his(her) dwelling, physically healthy, and has food for the day, then it is as if the whole world has been given to him(her).
Hadith is Hasan – Ibn Maajah
At some point in our lives, we all may experience dissatisfaction with something in our lives, and generally it may be with our current work or relationship — since these two things are things we most interact with or are affected by. This feeling of discontent can stem from various reasons — such as monotonous tasks or unfulfilling interactions with colleagues. However, it is important to remember that life is not always perfect, and some relationships are generally challenging. To improve the situation and reach our full potential, it’s crucial to take proactive steps towards progress and improvement. So this way we are freed from the monotony and drudgery of daily routine tasks — enabling us to focus on more meaningful and impactful activities and avoiding negative impacts on our well-being. The Quran and Hadith tell us that the key to success and progress is to strive hard in the way of Allah and to be patient and persistent in our efforts. We work not to attain paradise on earth, we work because it is the system of Allah (SAW). It is something that the various Prophets have done, and their companions as well.
Key to advancing at what we do is to focus on the thing we are doing, because this is what pays the rent and our other bills to keep our self-esteem, supporting Masjids and the less fortunate, etc. and it also just good for our overall survival, but we must also keep in mind that these principles and strategies that we share here can also be adapted to other areas of our lives. If changes are not made to your current situation, you are likely to make mistakes or lead a miserable life. It’s essential to think outside the box and take proactive steps towards progress. One way to do this is by assessing current skills and experiences, identify areas where one can bring more value to the table in your current position before going elsewhere. Doing so is rewarding. As stated: The one who wakes up in the morning and the main concern of his day is to earn a lawful livelihood, Allah will make it easy for him to earn his sustenance for that day – Hadith from Imaam Tirmidi Tirmidhi
If your efforts to improve the situation are not met with success, it may be necessary to consider finding something different. This process would involve updating your resume and actively applying for multiple job openings. It’s also important to remember that self-awareness and the ability to negotiate are key in achieving your goals. Building self-awareness allows you to understand your own strengths and weaknesses, and to be open to constructive criticism. The Quran states: ‘And do not be like those who forgot Allah, and He made them forget themselves. Those are the disobedient.’ Therefore, our goal is to improve who we are, our surroundings and continue to push forward and then leave it all to Allah (SWT). This alone makes a believer feel good.
Ultimately, the most important aspect in achieving a positive outcome in your work situation — be it your current or future place of work — is the willingness to take responsibility for actions and their impact on the work environment. This attitude demonstrates accountability and a commitment to being a positive contributor to the team and organization. It also allows for constructive feedback and growth, and can lead to better communication, problem-solving and decision-making and future outcomes. This can ultimately improve the overall performance and productivity of the team and organization and how others feel about you. Doing this will also make you feel great about yourself, and those close to you would also love you and admire you. In a Hadith it states: The one who is truthful and trustworthy will be with the truthful and trustworthy, and the one who is dishonest and treacherous will be with the dishonest and treacherous.
It is never too late. Do not let the habits of the past 10 or 20 years dictate the next part of your life. Respect yourself and make the necessary changes.
(Above is a summary of a seminar conducted)
Allah Certainly Knows Best.