Unmodern Aspects of Islam (37): Fame as Success
Did you know that surveys show children today are more likely to say they want to be “famous” when they grow up than to say they want to be teachers, doctors, or scholars? In our age, success is measured by visibility—how many followers, how many views, how loud your name echoes.
But fame is fragile. It lifts people one day and buries them the next. It feeds the ego but starves the soul. And in chasing the spotlight, sincerity is often the first casualty.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The thing I fear most for you is the lesser shirk: showing off.” (Musnad Aḥmad, 23630)
True success is not being seen by millions, but being accepted by Allah. One sincere deed in secret outweighs a lifetime of applause.
The early Muslims lived this reality. Many of their greatest deeds were hidden—night prayers no one saw, charities no one knew, sacrifices no one praised. Their sincerity gave them eternal success, even if the world forgot their names.
What about us? Instead of asking, “How many will notice?” we should ask, “Will Allah accept?” Fame fades, but sincerity lasts forever.
In a modern world, the Sunnah is our way back to what truly matters.
Comments
Post a Comment