Prof Farida Khanam is an author, editor, translator, public speaker and former professor of Islamic Studies at Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. Among her books are ‘A Simple Guide to Sufism’ and ‘A Study of World’s Major Religions’. She has translated into English many books authored by Maulana Wahiduddin Khan. Currently the chairperson of CPS International, she is a regular contributor of articles to various publications. Prof Khanam has edited Maulana’s English translation of the Quran and has also translated his Urdu commentary on the Quran into English. She can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

THE RECIPE OF SUCCESS

TWITTER is a microblogging website. In November 2021, Indian American Mr Parag Agrawal (b. 1984) was elected as the new CEO of Twitter. While making this announcement to elect Mr Parag as CEO of Twitter, the reasons for doing so were also disclosed. According to the outgoing Twitter CEO, Jack Dorsey (b. 1975): "He (Parag) understands the company and its needs. Parag has been behind every critical decision that helped turn this company around. He’s curious, probing, rational, creative, demanding, self-aware, and humble. He leads with heart and soul and is someone I learn from daily."

What is the secret of success in any field? This is exactly what Mr Jack has mentioned for Mr Parag. This principle of success holds good not only for the secular field but also for the religious field. The fact is that success and progress are the names of realizing and actualizing the potential that lies dormant in a human being. To realize this potential, a person needs to inculcate and develop these same traits that were mentioned by Mr Jack. This is the secret of achieving a goal. Without this kind of total commitment, no great work can be accomplished, neither in this world nor in the Hereafter.

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Success and progress are the names of realizing and actualizing the potential that lies dormant in a human being.

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The Prophet Muhammad has enumerated the secret of success in these words: A person gains knowledge through learning, even-mindedness; and serenity comes from exercising patience; one who strives to find good, receives good and who desires to protect oneself from evil is protected from evil. (Al-Mujam al-Awsat by Tabarani) In another Hadith, the Prophet said, “A deep understanding is developed through sincere striving.” (Al-Mujam al-Kabir by Tabarani)

Prof Farida Khanam
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