"Win-Win"

In his book "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People," Stephen Covey describes the paradigm of "Win-Win." Speaking about this, S. Covey writes in his book that "Win-Win" is a mindset that always seeks mutual benefit in all relationships with people. Reflecting on this concept, you understand how this value aligns with high moral standards in Islam.

How often do we experience troubles and trials that we evaluate with a "Win-Lose" approach? Instead of seeking mutual benefit and advantage, we compete and, when we "lose," we start complaining about our fate, forgetting that Allah said: "For indeed, with hardship [will be] ease. Indeed, with hardship [will be] ease." (Quran 94:5-6). We should not view it in any other way, as the Almighty has said: "Blessed is He in whose hand is dominion, and He is over all things competent, [He] who created death and life to test you; of you is best in deed; and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving." (Quran 67:1-2). Similarly, Allah in the Quran says: "And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient, Who, when disaster strikes them, say, 'Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return.'" (Quran 2:155-156). With the "Win-Win" approach, our perception of the world changes, and the words of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, "How wonderful is the situation of a believer! There is good for him in everything, and this is not the case with anyone except a believer: if prosperity attends him, he expresses gratitude to Allah, and that is good for him; and if adversity befalls him, he endures it patiently, and that is better for him," find a completely different response in our hearts.

Acting in the spirit of "Win-Win," every Muslim, with Allah's permission, will overcome any difficulty and become a "strong believer," as stated in the Hadith of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him: "The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, while there is good in both. Guard over that which benefits you, seek help from Allah, and do not lose heart. And if anything befalls you, do not say, 'If only I had done such and such,' but rather say, 'It is the decree of Allah, and He does what He wills,' for the phrase 'if only' opens the door to Satan's work."

Living as a Muslim with the "Win-Win" approach leads to the completeness of faith, for the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "None of you believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself."

Accepting all these arguments, a Muslim should change their approach to life, refrain from blaming or complaining about the twists and turns on their life's path, and remember Allah's mercy towards His righteous servants.