Effort is the Algorithm

November 3, 2026

Bismi Llāhir Raḥmānir Raḥīm Meaning: ‘In the name of Allāh, the Most Merciful, the Especially Merciful’. Allāh is the name of God Almighty.

"Effort is the Algorithm."

I saw this statement very recently in the thumbnail of a YouTube video recommended to me automaticallyThis video was about the STEM YouTuber Veritasium, by the way.. And, recently, it hit me. There is no way around it. For whatever good you want in the life of this world and the next, you have to work SO hard. That “engineer’s salary” that someone’s chasing? They have to work SO hard to get. That “life” that you’re dreaming of? You have to work SO hard to get there. It has to be EARNED with sweat and tears. It won’t be given out for free, generally speaking. I’ve seen this to be true over and over and over again. The same is true for the Wilayah of Allāh taʿālā. One has to purify themselves from major external (physical) and internal (spiritual) sins first and, depending on their aspirations, move on to even greater heights. There are levels to it all. You have to work according to the level of success that you want. The path to success is one full of difficulties and challenges.

However, in all of this, nowhere have I denied the benefits of privilege. Yes, we all have varying levels of privilege. Someone might come from a very underprivileged background but make up for it with effort and connections, in part, whereas someone might come from a very highly privileged background but not put in the effort required or have the requisite talent/intelligence. (Yes, even talent and intelligence are privileges bestowed upon some by Allāh taʿālā and those with it will be held accountable for it, according to the level of the privilege granted to them, on the Day of Judgment.) Again, it is the way of life that even a person with a lot of privilege and potential will not amount to much without the effort required even if they have the talent/intelligence. Without continual effort, traditions decay and even empires collapse – generally speaking. So, it does not suffice to just be born with a golden spoon in one’s mouth. Success cannot be separated from effort regardless of your background. However, importantly, it must also be mentioned that the difficulties of life are not limited to those lacking in privilegesI do not know whether the reader will find this point to be of relief or react to it with disbelief. However, from experience, I anticipate the latter reaction. Nonetheless, I have found it to be true from experience. So, no point in envying those who seem to be better off than us. Wishing for more suffering is the sign of an erring self whereas wishing for more goodness is the sign of a pure self. So, it’s a good thing that someone else has a certain privilege, we should pray that they use it properly and for good. Ultimately, may Allāh taʿālā bless that goodness for them as long as it was earned and is being earned by rightful means. ʾÃmīn.. Also, just because someone has certain privileges now doesn’t mean that their entire life has been a smooth sailing with no ups and downs, no waves to scatter their efforts and no currents to submerge them – even if momentarily. It laso does not mean that they have not had to or will not have to work just as hard as someone from a less-privileged background (esp. if they have high aspirations). Furthermore, the greater the height, the greater the scale of the problem that one may face – so we must be grateful to Allāh taʿālā for our privilege of having a life free of the so-many problems which plague others. AlḥamduliLlāh!

As a rule of life and a habit of mine, I must share some points from Islamic theology on the topic. There is nothing that we gain except that Almighty Allāh taʿālā has decreed it. That hard work I put in? It did not happen except that it was permitted and maybe even enabled by HIM. That thing I suddenly remembered that helped me make sense of things? It was HIM. That time I almost forgot to take something or learn something important but I didn’t, it was HIM. That time I did forget something important? It was very likely my negligence and/or the ploy of Satan and his minions but, ultimately, it is part of HIS plan and HE is the best of plannersPerhaps I was being protected from an unforeseen and/or unknown problem.. The devils can plot all they want but they will never succeed and will never be able to hinder Allāh taʿālā’s plan in the least. HE can turns the “losses” into wins (and the “wins” into losses). And the believer may even suffer endless pains in this life but s/he will NEVER lose ultimately, whatever may be and whatever may come in this short life. Even in the tiniest of pains, the sweetness of Paradise is beckoning her/him – as long as s/he remains content and gratefulPain and hardship removes different sins and raises one’s rank. However, it must be noted that major sins require regret and repentance. Furthermore, if the sin involves having taken the rights of other people, then said people must forgive one for the sin to be forgiven. Ideally, one should reach out to the victim (not necessarily in person) and seek their forgiveness – but, practically, it should only be done if there is some hope that it won’t worsen things or lead to further harm. Also, if one has truly made up for it yet the victims are being unreasonable, then just hope for good.. So, we must turn our sights to His mercy and hope for it endlessly like the beggars that we are in front of the Almighty King of all in creation. May Allāh taʿālā make it easy for us to be content with HIS decree. And HE is sufficient for us and the Best Disposer of affairs.

Thank you for your time and patience, dear reader. I pray that Allāh taʿālā makes this write-up of benefit to you. Please include this humble slave in your most heartfelt and intimate supplications to Allāh taʿālā. Bāraka Llāhu Fīk. As always, may peace be with you. ʾÃmīn.