“I am a Muslim youth living in the USA. I look around me and most kids my age are just into “worldly stuff”. I feel lost. I am not sure what to do with my life. Sometimes, I just feel I am wasting too much time on SM and friends. I am still figuring out things about religion. I am not too good with rituals but I like helping those in need. What does Islam say about community work? Can I help non-Muslims as well? What are some good new year resolutions I can make?“
Salam Alaykum,
Don’t feel lost
Don’t feel lost, while the guidance has been sent by The ultimate Guide Himself.
“And follow that which is revealed to you from your Lord. Indeed Allah is ever, with what you do, Acquainted. And rely upon Allah, and sufficient is Allah as Disposer of affairs.” (Quran 33: 2-3)
The best thing to do always is to ask the Maker. If you have a machine and people give you different personal opinions about how to use it, they will confuse you. People’s opinions are subjective, but the Maker’s opinion is the most accurate and gives you optimal results.
Allah is the Maker and Creator of life and all mankind, and He is the Most Knowing of how to live the best life and secure the best eternal place after death.
It was narrated from Abu Dharr that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“Allah the Blessed and Exalted says: ‘O My slaves, all of you are astray except those whom I guide. Ask Me for guidance and I will guide you…. [Sunan Ibn Majah]
And Allah said:
“And if you obey most of those upon the earth, they will mislead you from the way of Allah. They follow not except assumption, and they are not but falsifying. Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who strays from His way, and He is most knowing of the [rightly] guided.” (Quran 6: 116-117)
So what did Allah say about the purpose of life?
Allah Almighty said in His Last & Final Direct Revelation, The Quran,
“And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” (Quran 51: 56)
Worship here does not mean meaningless movements/rituals. It means to deeply learn about Him, connect with and commit to Him.
Allah gave us the ability to learn. When Allah created our father Adam, He said: “And He taught Adam the names-all of them…..” [Qur’an: Chapter 2: Verse 31].
This is not a fleeting moment of history; this is a reality of life: Allah teaches us.
He created this entire universe for us so He can teach us, and He honoured us above other creations with that.
“It is He who created for you all of that which is on the earth.” (Quran 2: 19)
“And We have certainly honored the children of Adam and carried them on the land and sea and provided for them of the good things and preferred them over much of what We have created, with [definite] preference.” [Quran 17: 70]
Allah’s Promise
Allah promised to teach us, help us and guide us. We will experience His Closeness, learn and elevate and connect with Him in the ways He designated until the Day we meet Him.
He promised us in return for this short life journey of testing our faith that we will get Paradise, wherein we get whatever we please eternally without any limitations.
Everything prescribed as acts of worship in Islam is essentially connected with actualising our purpose in life.
The understanding of the Shahada (testimony of faith), gives a sense of direction, focus and a plan (there is One God, and this is how to follow Him).
Prayer is a connection and communication; we recite the words of Allah, listen to His Words, and then speak to Him in dua. We take breaks five times a day from the hustle and bustle of this life to peacefully connect with the Source of Peace and get reminded of our Destination.
In Ramadan, we fast to learn how to control our physical being and focus on our spiritual being.
We give charity “zakat” which comes from the word “purification” because it is a purification of our wealth and our hearts from stinginess and miserliness, and greed.
We go to pilgrimage (Hajj) where people from all backgrounds gather to worship their Only deity and remember that they are all equal, they come from the same Source and to Him they will return.
Everything instructed has a purpose. When we follow that with contemplation, we feel at peace, and life becomes meaningful and worthwhile.
Satisfaction comes with knowing our purpose and connecting with Allah, and striving for the eternal Paradise near Him. Even studies have shown that Muslims are the most satisfied in life due to this feeling of Oneness of God taught in Islam.
Reality Check
Nobody can guarantee that we will live for the whole year. No one can guarantee that they will live until the evening or wake up the next day. So we need to be in a state of presence and awareness and not be oblivious or heedless. Connect with Allah every day, ask for His guidance and His support in doing the best every day and have hope in Him and remember the final destination.
New Year: 9 Reality Check Tips To Take You To The Next Level
Have a sincere intention to please Allah and fulfil your purpose in life.
- Connect with Allah deeply and lovingly through making dua daily
- Fulfil your religious obligations first and foremost (like daily prayers).
- Learn about your deen (The Quran) and the Seerah of the Prophet. This is not history. This is guidance for life revealed for a purpose, not a joke. So join circles of knowledge to learn and grow in knowledge and practice.
- Engage with righteous companions to help you remain steadfast.
- Ask Allah to use you in the best way in this life, to inspire and guide you towards the best work and give you success in it.
- Help all people for the sake of Allah.
- Be dutiful and respectful to your family
- Connect with Allah in remembrance (adhkar) when you wake up, and before you go to sleep, reminding yourself that we come from Allah and to Him we will return. So be aware, hopeful in Him, longing for Him daily.
If you do that, you will feel fulfilled, with the Will of Allah, the Owner and the Controller of Hearts.
And Allah knows best.
I hope this helps.
Salam, and please keep in touch.
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