Success requires the characteristic trait of drive and capability. In the story of prophet Yusuf (as), among his noble characteristics was being driven and capable. Being just and honest alone is not good enough, one needs to understand that the drive to be capable and competent is important. Yusuf (as)’s ability to take on the financial and agricultural affairs of his community is a testament to that.
As Muslims, we need to be fierce competitors when it comes to being capable. Competition can often raise our capability to the next level. Umar (ra)’s continuous competition with Abu Bakr (ra) for good works such as sadaqa, made them capable to one day be amongst the first two Khulafa of the Messenger of Allah (saws).
The desire to be capable should ALWAYS be linked with the undertone of pleasing Allah (swt).
What’s amazing to note is that hasad (jealousy) is a big sin but not when it comes to competing in the deen.
Ibn ‘Amr reported that the Prophet said, “There is no cause to be envious except in two cases: (the first is of a) person whom Allaah has taught the Qur’aan, and he recites it in the day and night, and one of his neighbours hears him and says, ‘Woe to me! I wish I had been given what he has been given, then I would do what he is doing! (The second is of a) person whom Allah has blessed with wealth, and he spends it in good causes, so a person (who sees him) says, ‘Woe to me! I wish I had been given what he has been given, then I would do what he is doing!”[Al-Bukhari]
When a Muslim is honest and trustworthy combined with being capable, that is a Strong Muslim.
