Interesting thought. In my opinion, there is a thin line between getting too busy chasing life and actually paying attention to our deeds and work towards becoming a better muslim. I know that one of the ways of worship is the act of working and being a positive influence in our society.

From my perspective, it feels like we’re all caught up in this race for a life that looks flawless, and social media doesn’t make it any easier. Sometimes it’s like we’re so focused on being perfect in this life that we forget what truly matters. I think it’s important to remember to focus on what comes after this life, rather than getting lost in the pursuit of earthly ideals.

There was a female Sufi scholar who like ran around with a bucket of water and a torch, ‘I am going to take this bucket of water and pour it on the flames of hell, and then I am going to use this torch to burn down the gates of paradise so that people will not love God for want of heaven or fear of hell, but because he is God.’

And that sorta sums up my stance personally.

I am late diagnosed autistic, and I’m sharing that to give context. I have the strong sense of truth and justice type. Not knowing that when I was younger, meant that religion heavily impacted me negatively because I took it so seriously and intensely. Everything I did, every intention, every action…the afterlife heavily weighed on me and my psyche. I was trying so hard to be a good person, and what I interpreted as a good Muslim based off teachings, that I was not good to myself or kind to myself. I was so worried about the afterlife, I was not taking care of myself in the now. And that mental stress, is not healthy.

Know yourself now, take care of the you now. Be kind to yourself and kind to others. Taking care of yourself also helps you to take care of others around you. The afterlife is in God’s hands.

As for success, that looks different to each individual person. Personally, I’m not successful especially when it comes to what most people may consider achievements. I struggle a lot, everyday, especially being disabled. But I’m happy and relatively healthy, at least mentally if not physically yet. I just try to be a better me than I was yesterday. And I think I’m doing pretty good with that.