Building A Foundation Of Righteousness

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When we read stories of Prophet Nuh, Yousuf, Musa (alayhi-salaam) and many more, we are not given a timeline of how long the events occurred. How long did it take Prophet Nuh (alayhi-salaam) to build the Ark and collect animals in pairs? How long did Prophet Yousuf (alayhi-salaam) stay in the well or imprisoned? How long did Prophet Musa (alayhi-salaam) struggle against the pharaoh?

And Fir'aun (Pharaoh) said: "O Haman! Build me a tower that I may arrive at the ways, | the ways of the heavens, and I may look upon the Ilah (God) of Musa but verily, I think him to be a liar." Thus it was made fair-seeming, in Fir'aun's eyes, the evil of his deeds, and he was hindered from the (Right) Path, and the plot of Fir'aun led to nothing but loss and destruction (for him).

40. Surat Ghāfir (The Forgiver; 36-37)

If Haman had built Pharaoh a pyramid, it may have took 10-30 years to built. That would have been a long-term goal to disprove Prophet Musa (alayhi-salaam), stop his campaign, and maintain the status of god. But, clearly Pharaoh had short-term goals to meet his long-term goal. He ordered a kill on Prophet Moses (alayhi-salaam). Short-term goals are the foundation to meet the medium-term goals and reach long-term goals and success.

Then is one who laid the foundation of his building on righteousness [with fear] from Allah and [seeking] His approval better or one who laid the foundation of his building on the edge of a bank about to collapse, so it collapsed with him into the fire of Hell? And Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.

9. Surat At-Tawbah (The Repentance; 109)

Those before them had already plotted, but Allah came at their building from the foundations, so the roof fell upon them from above them, and the punishment came to them from where they did not perceive.

16. Surat An-Naĥl (The Bee; 26)

We all know how well the Pharaoh fared. What we can learn from the story of Pharaoh and the ayats above are; if we build a weak foundation, everything will collapse.We must act on righteousness.

When we look back at our priorities (from step 10), we should put forward those that may erode our foundation toward prosperity. Based on the Priority Pyramid, we put our focus on creating a positive cash flow, paying off of consumer debts, and freeing ourselves from riba as short-term goals.

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Step 12 discusses setting up short-term, medium-term, and long-term goals. This refers to time required to achieve the goal and they must be SMART goals. But, all goals can be broken down in shorter time fragments of achievements. A short-term goal in repaying a debt of $1200 is broken down to saving just $100 a month after receiving a paycheck. We are creating a monthly guidance and small wins  for ourselves, to move toward the big picture. Prosperity.

They are on guidance from their Lord, and it is these who will prosper (be successful).

2. Surat Al-Baqarah (The Cow; 5)

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Off-topic fun for discussion: since pyramids are tombs, and the Pharaoh thinks that he is god, it would contradict Pharaoh's goal to create public perception that he is god. Therefore, it would not have been a pyramid that Haman built. Thus, we are back at where we started with the mysteriousness of time and events.