Success is a yearning Allah has placed in our hearts. But what is this “success” we seek? Is it the fleeting pleasure of this world—a bigger house, a better job, more followers online? The world screams this definition at us every day.

But Allah, in His infinite wisdom and mercy, offers us a different path, a higher meaning. In the Quran, He speaks of success not as a destination, but as a state of being. Allah uses two beautiful words for success: Al-Falah (الفلاح) and Al-Fawz (الفوز). 

Falah is often translated as ‘success’ or ‘prosperity’, and its root appears tens of times in the Quran. It implies cultivating, growing, and flourishing—achieving what is of lasting value. Fawz is the ultimate victory, the supreme achievement, a triumphant salvation.

This is not just a list of quotes. This is an invitation. It is a journey to redefine success through the very words of our Creator. Let us walk this path together and listen to what Allah tells us about true, everlasting success.

1. A Quranic Quote States That the Believers are the Truly Successful

We begin with the very first description of a believer in the Quran. Allah opens Surah Al-Mu’minun (The Believers) by immediately defining who will achieve Falah.

“قَدْ أَفْلَحَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ”

Qad aflaha al-mu’minoon.

“Successful indeed are the believers.” (Surah Al-Mu’minun, 23:1)

Notice how Allah does not say “The believers will be successful.” He says, “Successful indeed are the believers.” Actually in the Arabic structure He uses the past tense, qad aflaha, which gives a sense of certainty and finality. It is as if their success is already written, already decreed, simply by virtue of their faith. 

What I find so powerful here is that faith (iman) itself is the foundation of all success. It is the soil from which everything else grows. Before any action, it is the state of the heart that Allah acknowledges first.

2. A Quranic Verse on Success as a Purification of the Soul

In the hustle of life, we focus on cleaning our homes, our cars, our clothes. But what about the single most important thing that will meet Allah? The soul.

“قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَن زَكَّاهَا وَقَدْ خَابَ مَن دَسَّاهَا”

Qad aflaha man zakkaha. Wa qad khaba man dassaha.

“He has succeeded who purifies it, And he has failed who instills it [with corruption].” (Surah Ash-Shams, 91:9-10)

Here again, Allah uses qad aflaha—it is a certainty! The word for purification is zakkaha. It means to cleanse, but also to help something grow and blossom. 

Success, Falah, is the spiritual blossoming that comes from purifying the soul of arrogance, envy, and sin. 

The opposite, failure (khaba), comes from corrupting it (dassaha), burying it in darkness. 

Committing such powerful words to heart is a lifetime goal for a believer. It’s a journey that requires guidance and patience. At Quranica, our dedicated tutors in the Quran Memorization and Hifz program walk with you step-by-step, whether you are an adult or a child.

3. Quranic Quote on True Victory as Obeying Allah and His Messenger

Many people think success is about being the leader, the one in charge. But Allah teaches us that the highest success, the ultimate Fawz, comes from submission and obedience to the highest authority.

“وَمَن يُطِعِ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ فَقَدْ فَازَ فَوْزًا عَظِيمًا”

Wa man yuti’i Allaha wa rasoolahu faqad faza fawzan ‘adheema.

“And whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly attained a great attainment.” (Surah Al-Ahzab, 33:71)

Look at the beauty here. Allah doesn’t just say they achieved success (faza). He adds the word ‘adheema (عَظِيمًا), meaning great, mighty, tremendous. 

This is the “great victory.” 

The world tells you to obey your desires. The Quran tells you that obeying Allah is the only path to a victory that matters. It is a reminder that the guidance of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is our direct line to this divine success formula.

4. A Verse on Success as Salvation from the Fire is the Real Triumph

Allah, in His Quran, constantly shifts our perspective from the dunya (this world) to the akhirah (the hereafter). He shows us what the real finish line is, what the true measure of success will be on the Day of Judgment.

“فَمَن زُحْزِحَ عَنِ النَّارِ وَأُدْخِلَ الْجَنَّةَ فَقَدْ فَازَ”

Faman zuhziha ‘ani an-nari wa odkhila al-jannata faqad faz.

“So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained his desire.” (Surah Aal-i-Imran, 3:185)

I want you to notice the word zuhziha. It is not just “saved” or “removed.” It implies being physically pushed back, little by little, from something enormous and terrifying—the Hellfire. This paints a vivid picture. 

Success is not just entering Jannah; it begins with being saved from the Fire. 

That is the moment of true victory, faqad faz—”he has triumphed.” 

This verse forces us to ask ourselves: are my daily actions pushing me away from the Fire and towards Jannah?

Read more about: Quranic verses

5. A Verse States That At-Taqwa is the Ultimate Provision 

In our journey through life, we pack provisions. For a short trip, we pack food and water. But for the eternal journey to meet our Lord, what is the best provision to pack? Allah gives us the answer directly.

“وَتَزَوَّدُوا فَإِنَّ خَيْرَ الزَّادِ التَّقْوَىٰ”

Wa tazawwadoo fa-inna khayra az-zaadi at-taqwa.

“And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is At-Taqwa (piety, righteousness)” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:197)

The word Taqwa is a central concept in our Deen (religion). It is not just fear, as it is sometimes translated. 

Taqwa is a state of conscious awareness of Allah—to protect oneself from His displeasure by doing what He commands and avoiding what He forbids. 

I always emphasize that Taqwa is like a shield. It is the provision that protects your heart on the journey of life. 

To truly grasp these deep meanings, understanding the Quran’s original language is key. It transforms your connection to the text. This is something we focus on intensely in our Online Quran Tafseer Course at Quranica, where we go beyond the surface translation.

6. The People of Paradise are the Attainers Of Success

The Quran often uses contrasts to teach us. It shows us two paths, two groups of people, and two destinies to make the right choice clear. 

Here, Allah draws a stark and unforgettable contrast between the people of the Fire and the people of Paradise.

“لَا يَسْتَوِي أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ وَأَصْحَابُ الْجَنَّةِ ۚ أَصْحَابُ الْجَنَّةِ هُمُ الْفَائِزُونَ”

La yastawee ashabu an-nari wa ashabu al-jannah; ashabu al-jannati humu al-fa’izoon.

“Not equal are the companions of the Fire and the companions of Paradise. The companions of Paradise – it is they who are the attainers [of success].” (Surah Al-Hashr, 59:20)

What I find so striking here is the simplicity and power of the statement. Allah says they are not equal, la yastawee. It is a self-evident truth. 

Then He defines the ultimate winners, al-Fa’izoon, as the people of Jannah. 

This term Al-Fawz (الفوز) which we discussed, signifies the ultimate triumph, the supreme achievement. 

This verse anchors our life’s goal. Every decision, every moment of struggle, every choice to obey Allah over our desires becomes a step towards joining this blessed group, ashabu al-jannah. It realigns our entire definition of “winning.”

7. Quranic Quote on Success Lies in Community and Enjoining Good

In our modern world, success is often painted as a solo journey, a personal climb to the top. But Islam teaches us something profoundly different. 

True, lasting success (Falah) is tied to the health and righteousness of our community, our Ummah.

“وَلْتَكُن مِّنكُمْ أُمَّةٌ يَدْعُونَ إِلَى الْخَيْرِ وَيَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ ۚ وَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ”

Waltakun minkum ommatun yad’oona ila alkhayri waya’muroona bilma’roofi wayanhawna ‘ani almunkari wa’ola-ika humu almuflihoon.

“And let there be from you a nation inviting to [all that is] good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, and it is those who are the successful.” (Surah Aal-i-Imran, 3:104)

Here, Allah connects Al-Falah—flourishing success—to a collective duty. Notice the words: “Let there be from you a nation (ummah)…” This is not an individual task. 

We succeed together when we uphold goodness in society. 

Al-Ma’roof (what is right) is what is known to be good by divine law and sound human nature. Al-Munkar (what is wrong) is that which is rejected by them. 

This verse makes success a social responsibility. We cannot turn inward and hope for our own salvation while ignoring the society around us. Our success is intertwined. 

To enhance your Quran recitation with proper Tajweed, consider exploring the online courses offered by Learn Quran with Tajweed. These classes aim to help you understand and beautifully recite the Quran according to its original revelation.

8. A Verse on the Triumph of Sacrifice and Brotherhood

Sometimes, we think of success in terms of what we gain. But the story of our Deen is built on the success that comes from sacrifice. 

Allah praises the Ansar (the helpers of Madinah) for their incredible spirit of giving and brotherhood, setting them as an example of success for all time.

“وَيُؤْثِرُونَ عَلَىٰ أَنفُسِهِمْ وَلَوْ كَانَ بِهِمْ خَصَاصَةٌ ۚ وَمَن يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ”

wayu’thiroona ‘ala anfusihim walaw kana bihim khasasah, wa man yooqa shuhha nafsihi fa’ola’ika humu al-muflihoon.

“but give [the emigrants] preference over themselves, even though they are in privation. And whoever is protected from the stinginess of his soul – it is those who are the successful.” (Surah Al-Hashr, 59:9)

Allah praises the Ansar for the quality of ithar—preferring others over themselves, even when they themselves were in need (khasasah). 

This is the absolute opposite of the selfish mindset the world teaches. 

And look! Allah ends this verse with the exact same phrase as the one from Surah At-Taghabun we just discussed: protecting oneself from the greed of the soul is the key to Falah. 

It shows that the ultimate act of selflessness, ithar, is also the ultimate act of purifying the soul and achieving true, lasting success. It proves that in Allah’s divine economy, what you give away is truly what you save.

9. The Ultimate Success is When Your Scales are Heavy with Good Deeds

After all the efforts, the sacrifices, the prayers, and the struggles of this worldly life, there comes a Day when everything will be accounted for. 

Allah, in His perfect justice, tells us exactly what success will look like when we stand before Him. It is not about the weight of our worldly possessions, but the weight of our deeds.

“وَالْوَزْنُ يَوْمَئِذٍ الْحَقُّ ۚ فَمَنْ ثَقُلَتْ مَوَازِينُهُ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ”

Wal-waznu yawma’idhin al-haqq; faman thaqulat mawazeenuhu fa’oolaa’ika hum al-muflihoon.

“And the weighing [of deeds] that Day will be the truth. So those whose scales are heavy – it is they who will be the successful.” (Surah Al-A’raf, 7:8)

Let this verse sink deep into your heart. Allah is describing the Mizan—the Scales of Justice. He says the weighing on that Day is Al-Haqq, the absolute truth and reality. There will be no error, no injustice. 

This is the final and true evaluation. And who are the successful, al-Muflihoon? They are the ones whose scales are heavy (thaqulat mawazinuhu).

Read more about: Quranic Verses On Good Character

Quranica Can Help You in Your Journey to True Success 

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Conclusion:

Our exploration of these Quranic quotes about success, presented in both Arabic and English, has offered a profound redefinition of true achievement through the divine concepts of Al-Falah and Al-Fawz. 

We’ve journeyed through verses that illuminate enduring success as being rooted in unwavering faith (23:1), the diligent purification of our souls (91:9-10), sincere obedience to Allah and His Messenger (33:71), and ultimately, the supreme triumph of salvation from the Fire and admittance into Paradise (3:185).

These divine words remind us that At-Taqwa (piety and God-consciousness) is indeed our best provision (2:197), that striving for collective well-being by enjoining good is integral to communal success (3:104), and that true victory culminates in our scales being heavy with good deeds on the Day of Judgment (7:8). 

Embracing this holistic understanding of success encourages a life rich in faith, righteous actions, selfless sacrifice, and a constant pursuit of Allah’s pleasure. May these verses inspire us to align our aspirations with this noble and everlasting success defined by our Creator, leading to His contentment and the ultimate reward.