As I approach the final Islamic age of maturity (40), it’s a time for me to take stock of what I have achieved so far in this life.
It seems God chose for me not to have much of a conventional life thus far, and despite a promising start in school, I didn’t achieve much on the material plane.
Or maybe I did, just not in very conventional ways.
I got a job as a software engineer at the BBC straight after university, at the age of 21.
I made the pilgrimage to Makkah (the Hajj) with my parents at the age of 26.
I think overall, it’s important to realise that our so-called “achievements” are not really our own, and it’s of course God who is in charge of all things.
Shalim
No misfortune can happen, either in the earth or in yourselves, that was not set down in writing before We brought it into being – that is easy for God – so you need not grieve for what you miss or gloat over what you gain.
Qur’an, 57:22