Islam isn’t an excuse to be lazy. It’s a reason to work harder

Islam Isn't an Excuse to Be Lazy — It's a Reason to Work Harder

Mediocrity — being average — that's not part of our deen. A lot of people, you ask them: what do you want in life? "Nothing much, man." So that means the Qur'an didn't really settle in this person's mind.

The Du'a of Prophet Sulaiman

Look at the du'a of Sulaiman (peace be upon him). He said: "Oh Allah, I made a mistake — give me a kingdom nobody else can ever have in the history and future of this earth."

Okay, one second. Did he ask for something in the afterlife? Where is he going to receive it? So he's asking for dunya? So Sulaiman is obsessed with dunya? How can a prophet of Allah say: "Oh Allah, I want a kingdom that nobody has ever had and never will have again"?

Explain this to me. Do you think he wanted the kingdom because he enjoys looking at horses? Do you think he wanted the kingdom because he wants to sit on a chair? The reason he wanted the kingdom in the first place is because through power, wealth, influence and authority, he can spread justice on this earth. He wants to serve Allah through his power, through his wealth, through his kingdom, through his influence.

When Did Poverty Become Piety?

When did it become the case that influence is bad, and wealth is haram, and progression is terrible, and we should all remain in poverty? When did it become that poverty became a form of piety? When the great prophet of Allah, Sulaiman (peace be upon him), is asking for something audacious — uncalled for in this world — so that he can serve Allah.

So one of the important action points for all of us listening: we have to aspire for better in this world. But through whether it's position, or wealth, or accomplishment, or business, or influence of some sort — remember that your role through this is the pleasure of Allah.

The Example of Prophet Yusuf

Look at the prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him). He reached a very high post in the kingdom of Egypt, and through that he was able to bring his family to Egypt. He was able to spread monotheism in Egypt. He was able to protect his vulnerable brother.

He spread justice through the earth through his economic strategy. He's an economist — but through his economics, through his position, Allah blessed him. And it was not something that went against Allah.

We Must Aim High

We have to aim high. We cannot be mediocre — because this is the ummah of Sulaiman (peace be upon him). This is the ummah of the Prophet (peace be upon him). The Prophet (peace be upon him) himself was a man who was ambitious in this world as well as in the hereafter.