Aslam

Praise be to Allah.There is nothing to prevent a person from

making plans and estimating what he will need in the future, and thinking

of what he hopes to achieve, or saying, ‘I will do such-and-such tomorrow,’

or next week, or next year.’ But when he does that he has to say ‘in

sha Allaah (if Allaah wills).’ Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And never say

of anything, ‘I shall do such and such thing tomorrow,’ except (with

the saying): ‘If Allaah will.’…”

[al-Kahf 18:23]

Everything that a person intends to

do in the future, or resolves to do, or hopes to achieve, is based on

hope, and hope is what motivates people to do things.  But the

believer strives in this world for the sake of that which will benefit

him in both his religion and his worldly affairs. So he takes the means

and puts his trust in Allaah, and seeks His help, as the Prophet

(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

“Strive to do that which will benefit

you, and seek the help of Allaah.”

And Allaah says (interpretation of the

meaning):

“… So worship

Him and put your trust in Him…”

[Hood  11:123]

The kaafir and the

negligent person, on the other hand, depend on the means and forget

their Lord in Whose Hand is Sovereignty and nothing happens except what

He wills. If a man looks at the obstacles which stand between him and

what he hopes for, and he thinks too much about death and other obstacles,

he will stop making efforts and neglect his own interests. Thus it is

apparent that man cannot live this life without some hope which will

make him strive to pursue the things that he wants to achieve. But the

believer should not hope for too much or feel too content with this

world, or prefer its pleasures; rather he should strive to make the

Hereafter his goal, and work to do righteous deeds which will bring

him closer to his Lord, and seek the help of His blessings to obey Him,

so that he may attain happiness in this world and in the Hereafter.