If Stephen Covey wrote an Islamic version of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People...Take your time and read it with sabr. It’s truly worth it. 🙏
If Stephen Covey wrote an Islamic version inspired by the Qur'an, Sunnah, and the way of the Salaf, it might look something like this:
1. Begin with Tawheed
Before becoming effective, become a sincere believer. Your greatest success is meeting Allah with Tawheed and sincerity.
«وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ
"And I did not create the Jinn and mankind except to worship Me."
(Surah Adh-Dhariyat 51:56)»
The Muslim's ultimate "why" is worshipping Allah and seeking His pleasure.
2. Guard Your Salah Before Your Schedule
Highly successful people guard their calendars. Highly successful Muslims guard their Salah.
Your day should revolve around the five daily prayers. If your productivity causes you to miss your obligations to Allah, it is not productivity. It is loss.
3. Put the Akhirah First
Islam teaches us: Put the Akhirah first.
Ask yourself: Will this bring me closer to Allah? Will I regret this on the Day of Judgment?
«وَالْآخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَىٰ
"While the Hereafter is better and more enduring."
(Surah Al-A’la 87:17)»
4. Seek Beneficial Knowledge
Imam al-Bukhari رحمه الله titled a chapter in his Sahih:
«"Knowledge before speech and action."»
Spend less time on social media and more time with the Qur'an. Learn your religion before trying to change the world.
A Muslim who acts without knowledge can cause more harm than good.
5. Win with Others by Serving Them
The modern world teaches you to build influence. Islam teaches you to serve.
Help your parents. Teach your children. Serve your spouse. Benefit your community.
«"The most beloved people to Allah are those who are most beneficial to people."
(Al-Mu’jam al-Awsat lit-Tabarani 6026)»
Real success is not climbing over others. It is helping others climb with you.
6. Surround Yourself with the Righteous
You are shaped by those you sit with.
«"A man is upon the religion of his friend, so let one of you look at whom he befriends."
(Jami` al-Tirmidhi 2378)»
Choose those who remind you of Allah, encourage knowledge, and inspire you to become better.
7. Renew Your Heart Daily
Islam teaches us to purify and renew the heart.
«Qur'an • Dhikr • Salah • Du'aa • Repentance • Reflection • Good deeds»
Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله said:
«"There is a hardness in the heart that nothing melts except the remembrance of Allah."
(al-Wabil al-Sayyib, p. 171)»
The world teaches you to become highly effective. Islam teaches you to seek the pleasure of Allah.
Build your career, pursue excellence, and strive for success, but never forget that the greatest success is to reach Jannah.
«سَلَامٌ عَلَيْكُمْ طِبْتُمْ فَادْخُلُوهَا خَالِدِينَ
"Peace be upon you; you have become pure; so enter it to abide eternally therein."
(Surah al-Zumar 39:73)»
That is the one goal worth spending an entire lifetime building your habits around.
Team AMAU
