A simple formula for success

“And by the soul, and ˹the One˺ Who fashioned it, then with ˹the knowledge of˺ right and wrong inspired it! Successful indeed is the one who purifies their soul, and doomed is the one who corrupts it!” (91:7–10)

1 Story

Saleh عليه السلام wasn’t some random outsider who appeared out of nowhere preaching to his people. He was one of them. Noble. Respected. Admired. So much so that people even considered him for leadership. Everyone knew his character. Everyone trusted his honesty.

But before he could ever become their chief, Allah honored him with something far greater: prophethood.

So Saleh عليه السلام began calling his people to tawḥīd — to abandon their corrupt lifestyles and turn back to Allah.

And here’s where the story takes its first dark turn. Instead of valuing his sincerity, they resisted. The elites especially — terrified of losing their grip over the masses — sought to humiliate him.

They sneered: “If you really are a prophet, prove it. Do something impossible.”

Not just any miracle. They set absurd conditions: pointing to a massive rock, they demanded, “Split it. From inside should come a huge she-camel — already ten months pregnant, already producing milk enough for the entire town.”

Their thinking was simple: set the bar so impossibly high that when he failed, they could dismiss him forever.

But Saleh عليه السلام, desperate for his people’s guidance, pleaded with Allah. And Allah delivered. Exactly. To. The. Detail.

The rock split. The she-camel emerged — exactly as they described.

Now logically, this should have been the moment they fell in sajdah. The proof was undeniable. The truth was radiant. But desire (hawā) had already poisoned their hearts. And when desire takes over, even the clearest truth becomes irrelevant.

Still, Allah gave them just one condition: do not harm this camel. Let her graze and drink freely.

Instead of gratitude, they complained: “She’s consuming our resources.” The irony? They themselves had demanded this very miracle.

But their real issue wasn’t the camel’s size. It was what she represented: irrefutable proof that they were wrong. Proof that they would have to humble themselves, change, repent, submit.

And that — their egos could not handle.

So they spread complaints, mocked the whole affair, and poisoned enough minds until one wretched man stepped forward. Despite Saleh’s desperate warnings, he slaughtered the she-camel. And the rest? They celebrated it. They mocked even as they committed the crime.

Then they taunted Saleh عليه السلام: “Bring us the punishment you promised.”

And Allah did.

He crushed them into the earth. Erased them completely. Until no trace of their civilization remained.

All because they could not let go of their arrogance.

1 Lesson

Go and read Surah ash-Shams today.

Allah takes eleven oaths. Eleven. One after the other. Not by trivial things — but by the sun, the moon, the sky, the earth…

Why so many oaths? Why this buildup?

All of it — just to bring your attention to one single truth:

“Successful indeed is the one who purifies their soul, and doomed is the one who corrupts it.”

But notice the sequence. Before declaring this, Allah reminds you: He is the One who placed the nafs inside you — and balanced it.

Meaning: inside you, there’s already a divine design. You’ve been engineered with the capacity to recognize right and wrong. Both potentials exist within you. But the choice? That’s yours.

If you purify it — you succeed.
If you corrupt it — you’re doomed.

And immediately after, Allah shifts to the nation of Thamud. Why? To show you the living example. They destroyed themselves not because of lack of signs — but because they failed to purify their nafs.

Your greatest battlefield is not out there. It’s in here — within your own soul.

Neglect it, and you corrupt not only yourself but also the world around you.
Purify it, and you harvest success that endures beyond this life.

One Question for you :

“Where in my life am I making the same mistake as the people of Thamūd — ignoring clear signs, resisting truth, or justifying desires — even when deep down, my soul knows what is right? Write down three specific areas, and for each, reflect:

• What is my ‘she-camel’ (the proof I’m avoiding)?

• What desire or ego makes me resist it?

• What would purifying my nafs look like in this situation?”

Closing Note

If you’re seeking deeper guidance, beyond these reflections, I work 1:1 with select Muslims committed to real transformation. Apply here : (click me)

Until next Thursday/Friday, in shā’ Allāh.

– Aaira

📍 Instagram: @taqwafm
📍 Threads: @taqwafm
📍 WhatsApp Channel: Join Here

P.S. If you haven’t subscribed yet, you may not receive future letters from me — so please make sure to subscribe.