Title: Why Can't I Succeed? Question: Assalam-o-Alaikum , I want to ask to you a question. I am 28 years old. I tried to many times to go abroad but I failed. I am in computer fields and have much knowledge and certifications but I fail to get a good job. I told this to a person who has Rohani [spiritual] Education. He tells me that some body has done Bundish [i.e. cast a spell] on you,So you cant get succeed. Tell me please is that person right? Thanks, Answer: I am not trained in the particular field relating to what you have called " Ruhani Education" and am, therefore, in no position to comment on it. But as a Muslim, you should hold a firm belief that whatever the apparent reason for your failure in securing a "good job" abroad, the ultimate cause is that Allah -- the Controller and the Planner -- has not allowed this to happen. No matter what our endeavor, we should keep reminding ourselves that our efforts shall bear fruit only if Allah - on the basis of His absolute Wisdom and complete Knowledge - allows them to. My dear brother, you must always remember that without Allah's permission no harm can befall you even though the whole world wants to harm you, and that no good can come your way, even though the whole world wants to benefit you with something, unless Allah allows such good to come your way. This really means that a Muslim's dependence is not only on his efforts but on the firm belief that Allah is not a passive creator of the universe, He is not just a "First Cause", but is actually controlling and governing all the affairs of the world as well as our individual lives, through His Wisdom and Knowledge. In my opinion, you should try your best, put all your efforts and use all the means available to you, within the moral and ethical norms, to achieve whatever you feel is desirable and beneficial for you. But you must hold the firm belief that unless Allah permits, you shall not be able to achieve anything from your efforts and if Allah does not permit something to happen, then it is in your and everybody's best interest (even though you are unaware of it) that such a thing should not happen. This attitude, in effect, inculcates in you the true spirit of Tawakkul (dependence on Allah) and Radha (to be satisfied with Allah's decisions, even though it seems to be highly undesirable), which are the very foundations of our relationship with Allah. 9 th March 1999