I have goals in this life. I want to be successful, and want to be able to provide for my family. May Allah swt give me a long healthy life. But I have family friends all around me who show off. Oh they're good at football, or look at this great college im going too. And my family is Muslim, my close family aren't practicing though. Except for my dad. I know these accomplishments are everything for them. I know that is the wrong way to think because eventually you will die and where will your accomplishments go. With these type of people around me it's hard not to get caught up in this world. I always remind myself this life is so short, but at the same time I feel so much pressure to become successful. My question is how to keep a balance? May Allah swt protect us from getting consumed in this dunya. Hoe do we keep the Akirah first when everyone around us so consumed with this world?
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
Don't get attached to this dunya by always remembering DEATH
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whatever we do in this life can be a form of worship, depending on our intention. Eating, Sleeping, Education,Job....all these can be a form of worship!
READ THIS!! --->> http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/220/
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89:23-24 And Hell, that Day, is brought (face to face),- on that Day will man remember, but how will that remembrance profit him? He will say: "Ah! Would that I had sent forth (good deeds) for (this) my (Future) Life!"
(AWESOME LECTURE) True Stories of Death | Sheikh Feiz : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhWq0C1TdDg
Quran 79:35-41 The Day when man shall remember what he struggled for,And Hell-fire shall be brought for everyone to see,Then,as for whom who was insolent..And preferred the life of this world (by following his evil desires and lusts),Verily, his abode will be Hell-fire;But as for him who feared standing before his Lord, and restrained himself from impure evil desires, and lusts. Verily, Paradise will be his abode.
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Remember often the destroyer of pleasures,” by which he meant death.
[Sunan ibn Majah, Book of Asceticism, Number 4258, Sahih]
Quran 62:8 Say, "Indeed, the death from which you flee - indeed, it will meet you. **Then you will be returned to the Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, and He will inform you about what you used to do."**
Salaam alaykum,
It's funny that I should find this question because I have the same problem :). I can share what I try to do and I hope it helps in some way.
1) Try to do you salaat everyday. This is very difficult especially if you live in the West but the act of salaat really humbles you and reminds you that Allah is always with you. It also will give you a feeling of bliss.
2) Learn about Islam. That may sound stupid but think to yourself how much do you really know about this deen? I grew up in Islam and watched my mother become more religious as time passed. I admired her and joined her in Qur'an classes but I did it for her more than for myself (just like you and your father). When I turned 19 I started to research about Islam, more specifically hijab. The more I learnt the more I fell in love and yearned for knowledge.
3) If you are a girl, wear the hijab. By that I mean read the conditions of hijab and try to implement them in one way or another. When you physically put on your hijab it makes you think of Allah. When you wear hijab people identify you as a Muslim so you have to start acting like one too. The fact that you are covering yourself in order to please Allah in itself shows that you have love for him.
3) Read the Qur'an. This relates to point 2. The Qur'an is the only way of obtaining knowledge from Allah. Try to understand what you are reading if you have to, read a translation. Also don't just read the Qur'an, listen to it. Develop a love for it. Find beautiful recitations of it instead of listening to rappers and singers.
4) Subscribe to Islamic YouTube channels like SoldiersofAllah, TheMercifulServant, QuranWeekly, TheDailyReminder and watch them daily. Using this you can find out about the Prophet (SAW) and his companions. Many of the channels I have mentioned also talk about other interesting things and serve as a great way of obtaining knowledge. It helps to watch videos if you are a visual learner.
5) If you are active on Instagram then subscribe to Islamic pages like lovethecreator and islam_inspirations. I find it refreshing to look through these pages because they always have du'as or dawah.
6) I find it also helps to go to jumaah. The masjid makes me feel safe. It is one of the only places I hear "salaam alaykum" and the adhan which reminds me of who I am. On that note try to get some Muslim friends because a good friend is he who reminds you of Allah when you are near them.
Thats my advice on how to remember Allah. At the same time you should remember that Allah actually encourages us to educate ourselves, so do so. Go to university and find a good job but don't forget where you come from. You are a Muslim so be proud of it and show it to the world!!