I’ve seen a few different angles on the Robin Williams suicide. One prominent angle is about whether this was because he had no purpose. I’ve thought about it and wonder if perhaps the issue is about defining success incorrectly. Speaking practically, people focus on what they want to achieve more than on an abstract purpose. To take Muslims as a case-in-point, our purpose is to worship Allah SWT Alone but we perceive success differently e.g. as attaining jannah, the Pleasure of Allah SWT etc. It is our view of success that drives us. Robin Williams definitely had a purpose. He was driven to achieve the most of his talent and was incredibly successful by any standard we can use in stand-up, TV and movies. He had family, was well-liked, respected and rich. He still suffered from depression and killed himself. He adopted a view of one type of success provided by society and exceeded it. It wasnt enough. He kept going and it wasnt enough. He was always empty, unfulfilled and disappointed no matter what he achieved. That incorrect view of success broke him. His mistake was chasing something illusory. His mistake was not that he didnt have a purpose. Its that he had to the wrong view of success. - We know this life is a delusion Know that the life of this world is only play and amusement, pomp and mutual boasting among you, and rivalry in respect of wealth and children, as the likeness of vegetation after rain, thereof the growth is pleasing to the tiller; afterwards it dries up and you see it turning yellow; then it becomes straw. But in the Hereafter (there is) a severe torment (for the disbelievers, evil-doers), and (there is) Forgiveness from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure (for the believers, good-doers), whereas the life of this world is only a deceiving enjoyment [Qur’an 57:20]. - We know the dunya will never satisfy us Ibn Abbas reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, If the son of Adam possessed a valley full of gold he would want to have two valleys, yet his mouth will only be filled by earth. Allah turns towards those who turn in repentance. [Agreed upon] The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: ”Nothing fills (satisfies) the son of Adam except Dust”. (Sahih Bukhari, Book #76, Hadith #445) - The dunya is falsehood Anas reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, That one among the people of the Fire who was wealthiest person in this world will be brought on the Day of the Fire, dipped once into it and then asked, Son of Adam! Did anything good ever happen to you? Did you ever experience any blessing? He will say, By Allah, no, my Lord. That one among the people of the Garden who was the most wretched person in this world will be brought and dipped once into it and then asked, Son of Adam! Did you ever experience any misery ? Did you ever undergo any hardship? He will say, By Allah, no. I never experienced any misery and I never underwent any hardship. [Muslim] Sahl ibn Sad as-Saidi reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, If this world had been worth as much as a gnats wing in the eyes of Allah, no unbeliever would have had a single drink of water from it. [at-Tirmidhi] Abu Hurayra stated that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, The most truthful phrase ever said by a poet is the words of Labid: Everything except Allah is false. [Agreed upon] - The dunya is cursed Abu Hurayra said, I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, This world is cursed and cursed is what is in it, except for the remembrance of Allah Almighty and what brings one near to Him and the teacher and the student. [at-Tirmidhi] - True success is not to be found in the dunya. Beautified for men is the love of things they covet; women, children, much of gold and silver (wealth), branded beautiful horses, cattle and well-tilled land. This is the pleasure of the present worlds life; but Allah has the excellent return with Him. Say: Shall I inform you of things far better than those? For Al-Muttaqun there are Gardens (Paradise) with their Lord, underneath which rivers flow. Therein (is their) eternal (home) and Azwajun Mutahharatun (purified mates or wives), And Allah will be pleased with them. And Allah is All-Seer of the (His) slaves. [Qur’an 3:14-15] - In fact, the supreme success is defined by Allah (SWT) O You who believe! Shall I guide you to a commerce that will save you from a painful torment. That you believe in Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad SAW), and that you strive hard and fight in the Cause of Allah with your wealth and your lives, that will be better for you, if you but know! (If you do so) He will forgive you your sins, and admit you into Gardens under which rivers flow, and pleasant dwelling in Gardens of Adn - Eternity [Adn (Edn) Paradise], that is indeed the supreme success. And also (He will give you) another (blessing) which you love, help from Allah (against your enemies) and a near victory. And give glad tidings (O Muhammad SAW) to the believers. [Quran 61:10-13].
Posted on: Wed, 13 Aug 2014 19:04:28 +0000
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