Go For the Gold

Last updated on: December 26, 2019 at 9:25 am by Iman

Go For the Gold 2019-12-26T09:25:39-06:00 Iman

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

If there’s one thing that everyone has in common, it’s that we always want more. We want to have better, do better, and be better. We want more money, things, love, respect, education, and status. We’re not easily content with having less than someone else, or being second best. There is always some part of us that keeps desiring and working towards more.

Whether it’s studying hard to get the best grades, or working day and night to get promoted at work, or wanting to have the best spouse, children, and home, we keep going at it. We compete with one another towards having an ideal life.

There is always some part of us that keeps desiring and working towards more.

“You’d better know, the worldly (lowest) life only amounts to games and entertainment, and beautification (of yourself and your possessions), and showing off, and your obsession with money and children. All of that is like the example of perfect rain; the produce that comes as a result of that rain impresses the farmer [who had buried the seed], then it turns yellow, and then it becomes worthless. And in the end, the only thing left is either intense punishment or forgiveness from Allah, and His contentment [pleasure]. And what is worldly life, if not just a means by which people get deceived.” (57:20)

This reality is a difficult pill to swallow, but it’s something that really deserves introspection. Nobody can force us to do this, and nobody else benefits from it but us, so we really need to be honest with ourselves.

Are we competing for the “gold medal” in this life, while knowing and being warned that it won’t help us accomplish anything in the next life? What we think is a gold medal, the ultimate prize and display of success, is actually just a participation trophy- something everyone gets, but it doesn’t actually mean anything. Everyone who’s come and gone from this world, since the beginning of time, has the same participation trophy as us, whether they were really successful or a nobody. In the Afterlife, we’ll all be equal, except for our good and bad deeds.

Are we competing for the “gold medal” in this life, while knowing and being warned that it won’t help us accomplish anything in the next life?

So what does Allah tell us immediately after we get hit by this hard reality?

“Race towards forgiveness from your Master, and a Garden, the stretch of which is like all of the skies and the earth, combined. That (Jannah) has been prepared for those who truly believed in Allah and His Messengers. That is the favor of Allah; He grants it to whomever He wants. And Allah is the possessor of the ultimate Favor.” (57:21)

There’s nothing wrong with trying to have and be the best in this life, but don’t forget the next one in the process.

He (swt) is telling us to compete, as our nature pushes us to do, but for the Permanent life, not this one. You have your participation trophy, now go for the gold. Don’t settle for less than your absolute best, when it comes to the things that will actually help you in a place that will last forever. There’s nothing wrong with trying to have and be the best in this life, but don’t forget the next one in the process. Keep your eyes on the prize.

I’ll race you. 😉

Faith & Spirituality

Inspiration

Previous Post

June 29, 2015

"Am I Beautiful?" | On Hijab, Modesty, and Self-Esteem

Next Post

November 24, 2015 Log Kya Kahenge? (What Will People Say?)

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Afterlife Culture Dealing with Others English Faith & Spirituality Inspiration Letters to the Ummah Personal / Life Poetry Ramadan Reality Check Reflections Relationships Religion Society & Culture Uncategorized Urdu Women

Select a Month September 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 January 2020 December 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 March 2016 November 2015 October 2015 June 2015 May 2015 February 2015 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Which book in the New Testament is the shortest?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Jude 3 John Philemon 2 John