“I’m not truly happy with who I am right now, with what I’m doing with my life. I feel I can do SO much more if only I know WHAT to do and in which order. I will build the discipline it takes to get it done. To excel in it. To achieve success in it. But I can’t do that if I’m confused. I need to be clear. I need to be 100% sure that this is the path that will bring more joy in my life and bring me closer to my purpose. If I’m jumping from one thing to another, one idea to another, one plan to another, it actually means I don’t have clarity in what I want to do and I can never achieve the success I want until I have complete clarity on my next steps.”
Do you feel like that sometimes? Maybe you’re in that state of confusion right now. Maybe you’ve been in it for quite some time.
Clarity.
What a funny thing.
If you get it, you feel like you’ll never need it again.
Until you need it again. And then, you feel like you never really got it. Haha.
That’s because you won’t just need clarity once in your life at the start of something new. You’ll need it on your path over and over again.
But of course, it’s the hardest to get clarity at the START of a new path.
Today, I’ll be turning back the curtain on how I’ve felt utterly confused, overwhelmed and lost many many times in my life.
And how I’ve developed a system of getting unstuck, getting my clarity back again and leaving overwhelm behind as I work on this path, with passion every day and towards my purpose.
The pursuit of a purposeful Akhirah-aligned path started 5 years back. Before that, I thought I had it all figured out. Hah.
The first time I was in desperate need of clarity was when I was pursuing my post-graduate training as a medic in the U.K.
At that time, I was also thinking of taking a gap year from medicine to work on my creative impact-driven dream project, i.e. solving problems for other Muslim professionals with my online blog.
Then again – I was miserable, utterly confused and anxious about whether I should work part-time on my online business (I converted my blog into a course, coaching, consulting business) along with my day job as a pathology lecturer to medical & dental students.
Or should I quit my job and work on my business full-time.
I was paralyzed. I couldn’t make these decisions easily and felt stuck, limited and inactive for too long.
Alhamdulilah, I was finally able to get the clarity I needed by taking a systematic approach that used logic/ design thinking + intuition + istikhara (which I’ll be sharing with you today!)
Ultimately, my decisions led me to the point where I replaced my income as a medic with my online business bi-iznillah.
Because of the aligned path I chose, I now have the income and freedom to work from anywhere I want. (I worked from the U.K. for the last quarter of this year and from Pakistan the next).
Because of the aligned path I chose, I am able to work with dream clients and students without working all day,
without the need of posting about my personal life on social media,
without being stuck in a never-ending cycle of content creation (I create content on my own schedule, and create evergreen assets that are automated and stay relevant after years).
A balanced way of working is very important to me.
I love every part of my work. It carves out my creative potential.
It allows me to think bigger, to think beyond myself, to do more for Muslims using the skills and abilities Allah SWT has trusted me with.
It allows me to have a wide and deep impact worldwide.
The students in my programs and the readers at Muslim Empowerment are from so many different countries – it’s amazing to speak with like-minded Muslims from all over the world.
Above all, my work helps me become a better Muslim myself. I feel more accountable for my actions now than I did before when I was living in my own bubble and I feel I must work hard on myself because there are others who look up to me. Which is the ultimate goal, isn’t it? To keep working to be a better Muslim and please Allah SWT.
So yes, I wouldn’t have worked so hard despite all the odds, and worked with full focus on this path that has led me here today if I didn’t have 100% clarity that this is exactly what I want to do.
And believe me, it wasn’t easy making the choice. I had already set up a successful career as a medic before I focused on my entrepreneurship journey, so in that sense it was harder.
But I made gradual shifts towards my new path and kept my options open in my professional career until I had success with my entrepreneurial goals. That would be my suggestion to anyone on the brink of starting their own side hustle or starting their entrepreneurial journey.
In fact, I’d like to help you do that. In today’s post, I’d like to help you get clear on your purpose-aligned path.
I’ve developed a system of getting clarity that I’d like to share with you today.
I also have created a very precious resource for you! This resource has a step by step implementation exercise for you to get clarity around your next move/ goal/ path. It’s an absolute must-have and I couldn’t live without it.
I started online entrepreneurship and became a coach while being a doctor using the same roadmap. I truly believe it can help you massively. You can get it by clicking here.
If you need clarity in understanding and deciding your purpose, path, passion… if you’re stuck in deciding your next move… if you feel overwhelmed by the many options or feel restricted and burdened by the limited options – this post is for you buddy.
As a high achieving, impact driven Muslim professional who may be feeling unfulfilled, overwhelmed or limited, your next best step is to get crystal clear on what you want to achieve in life.
Even if you’ve accomplished quite a lot already, you may be questioning yourself…
Have I achieved enough?
Did I take the right path?
Did I make the right career choices?
Did I live up to my full potential or did I just settle?
What can I do next to live my potential?
What can I do next to bring more fulfillment, and purpose in my life?
What can I do next to create a larger impact?
Here’s how the lack of clarity drives the loop of overwhelm and unfulfillment:
When you’re uncertain of where you’re headed, you have no idea how much work or how long it’ll take you to achieve certain goals.
So obviously, you cannot plan and strategize for the goal in terms of action steps and timelines.
And when you do not have an action plan in hand, you can not schedule tasks on time and fit them into your routine in a doable stressless way to reach the end goal.
As a result, your mind is in a state of frenzy with a haphazard mesh of things to do and no structure.
At the best, this means you can not execute your goal-related tasks properly with full focus.
At the worst, this means you may have to try a bunch of things just to KNOW what to do. That’s ADDITIONAL work that adds to the overwhelm.
Now, do you see how the lack of clarity around your idea can be the cause of overwhelm?
It’s the fear of the unknown and how that’ll affect our life which drives us to overwhelm.
I don’t know about you, but if I knew how much work I’d have to do to achieve a goal, I could simply schedule it out and stretch it over a longer period of time if I’m strapped for time. Or squeeze it into a shorter period by cutting other things out if I need to get it done urgently.
In other words, I’d have some CONTROL over how I execute it.
Clarity is the first step to living your DREAM life. For Dunya and Akhirah.
So how do you get clarity?
Before I share my process, one other thing to keep in mind is to set the right expectations and be mentally prepared that this will be an uncomfortable process. But also, VERY fulfilling.
When it comes to achieving clarity in your purpose-aligned path…
➡ Rarely the answer is about finding a new fulfilling perspective and joy in your current work (more often than not, this is not the answer for someone who is unfulfilled and searching for a path that aligns with their purpose, and is impactful).
➡ More often than not, the answer may involve simpler choices and moves to make, like increasing the impact of the work you’re currently doing, or testing something new by starting a side hustle.
➡ Other times, it might demand more drastic shifts, like changing your career path or finally starting your dream business.
So keeping in mind this will be an uncomfortable process…
Why you don’t have clarity in your purpose-aligned dream path already
So let me start by asking you a simple question: why don’t you have clarity in your next move/ path already? Think about it.
This isn’t to call you out or anything, it’s to help you start looking for reasons you may be stuck. It’s a good place to start thinking in the right direction.
Is it because you haven’t explored your strengths and potential?
Is it because you have too many options?
Is it that you don’t have enough options or opportunities right now – or just the right option?
Is it because you don’t have any passion like others do, and have no clue how to get it?
Is it because you think you’re not good enough right now to do the thing you really want to do?
Or hear this… is it that you KNOW what you have to do and are deep down too scared to make a big decision… so you look for other things to fill up your time with, and convince yourself you’re confused?
For most people, a lot of answers lie in this venn diagram:
1️⃣Purpose
First, we must get clear on our purpose in life as a Muslim.
The purpose of our life is clearly given in the Quran: To live life striving to be a good Muslim by obeying, serving, and pleasing Allah SWT.
“And I did not create the Jinn and mankind except to worship me.” [Quran: Surah 51, Ayah 56]
Our purpose in life is the only thing that can keep us grounded and keep our efforts aligned with Akhirah.
Anything you do that helps you live your purpose automatically gets converted into Ibadah (as long as the intention is Allah-pleasing).
The thing about purpose is that we all know what it is for a Muslim.
THAT is not the hard part to figure out for us.
The hardest part is choosing goals that ALIGN with that purpose.
You can convert many of your present goals into akhirah-focused goals by shifting your intentions and aligning your goal to your purpose in life. I teach that in detail to my Balance Deen and Dunya students in one of the lessons, ‘Spiritual Compass Technique’.
While we may pick up halal hobbies that are not really purpose-driven, when it comes to your work path, I believe that’s something that needs to be aligned to Akhirah at all costs.
If someone is struggling just to get food on the table, then this post isn’t for them. Their test from Allah SWT is poverty and may Allah SWT make it easy for everyone going through such a test. For such a person, anything halal that pays money to provide for themselves and family should be the aim, of course. Until things get better bi iznillah and then you can aim for higher goals.
But for people who are accomplished in life, have the resources and energy to do more, but are just not fulfilled, one of the reasons could be that the work you’re currently doing doesn’t align with your purpose in life.
2️⃣Potential:
Humans beings have a built-in desire to be good at something. Being truly excellent at something – anything – is a higher level human need.
That’s why excellence (Ihsan) is prescribed by Allah SWT. He SWT knows our higher level needs and our potential.
“Verily Allah has prescribed ihsan in all things. So if you kill then kill well; and if you slaughter, then slaughter well. Let each one of you sharpen his blade and let him spare suffering to the animal he slaughters.” [Muslim]
Living and working to your potential will bring the kind of self-confidence that superficial things like beauty, wealth, prestige etc. simply can’t —- that’s because while everyone may not have been given the things man usually chases in life… beauty, material things, education, wealth, success, health, prestige, family… every physically and mentally sane person has been given some sort of ability.
Even those who are differently abled are… abled in some way.
Meaning, there is something every mentally sane person can do to add value to other people’s lives. And that obviously looks different for every person as abilities differ.
Forget adding value to other people’s lives.
Let’s just talk about potential. Not using potential to benefit others. Simply living up to your potential for yourself.
What does that even mean? Living up to your potential?
When we say living ‘up to’… it implies there’s a ceiling of ‘ability’ that we must reach, an “arbitrary point of maximum achievement in our lives is daunting and rarely inspiring” as Scott Young says. We’d agree. It’s not the best way to look at potential, is it?
So let’s instead say, living and working by using your potential every day.
In my understanding, potential is like a seed. Potential is the ability, it’s a power Allah SWT has placed inside each of us.
But to use that latent ability, you need to give it everything you have.
Meaning, if you’ve been given the resources of time, money, energy, & intelligence, using those resources to push yourself beyond your comfort zone regularly and create growth in a positive direction. That would mean you are living your potential.
The tree bearing fruit would be the result of using the potential.
Without using your time, energy, intelligence to plant the seed, water it, use the right soil, and keep working to grow the tree, there would be no growth. The seed would remain a seed. The potential of the seed to become a fruit bearing tree would be wasted. It would remain hidden in the seed.
Allah SWT has placed those fruit-bearing seeds in us. And He SWT has given us the resources we need – time, energy, Aql. Now it’s on us to use our resources on our potential.
“Blessed be He in Whose Hands is Dominion: and He over all things has Power. He Who created death and life that He may try which of you is ahsan-o (best or excellent) in deed: and He is the Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving.” (67:1-2)
Those who waste the seeds given to them by Allah SWT, live an unfulfilled life knowing they could have done more. They had those seeds with them all their life and didn’t do the work it takes to create a fruit bearing tree.
Those who do the work and use the seeds Allah SWT has given them, Allah then blesses them with a fruitful tree and even more fruit-bearing seeds. Meaning, while they enjoy the results of their hard work, their abilities/ potential also increases with time.
Allah Says in the Quran:
“And Allah gave them a reward in this world and the excellent reward of the Hereafter. For Allah loves the muhsineen (the good-doers)” (3:148)
“Is there any reward for ihsan except ihsan?” (55:60)
Not every seed you work on will become a fruit bearing tree, but the effort is always rewarded by Allah SWT.
“But whoever desires the Hereafter and exerts the effort due to it while he is a believer – it is those whose effort is ever appreciated (by Allah)” [17:19].
“Verily, Allah loves AlMuhsinun (gooddoers)” (05:13)
3️⃣Impact:
Generally speaking, good people have a built-in desire to add value to others and the world at large with their work.
“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do make a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” – Jane Goodall
“Could anything be better than this waking up every day knowing that lots of people are smiling because you chose to impact lives, making the world a better place.” – Anyaele Sam Chiyson
And for conscious Muslims, multiply that inner drive a hundredfold !
Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said:
“Whoever relieves a Muslim of a burden from the burdens of the world, Allah will relieve him of a burden from the burdens on the Day of Judgement. And whoever helps ease a difficulty in the world, Allah will grant him ease from a difficulty in the world and in the Hereafter. And whoever covers (the faults of) a Muslim, Allah will cover (his faults) for him in the world and the Hereafter. And Allah is engaged in helping the worshipper as long as the worshipper is engaged in helping his brother.” Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1930, Book 27, Hadith 36
“and—above all—to be one of those who have faith and urge each other to perseverance and urge each other to compassion.” (Al-Balad:17)
“you will never achieve righteousness until you donate some of what you cherish. And whatever you give is certainly well known to Allah.” (Al-Imran:92)
Some people may have everything yet they’re not fulfilled with their life and are still looking for something.
Impact.
It’s the underrated, unspoken thing that may be missing from their life.
In the Quran, Allah (swt) says: “Help one another in acts of piety and righteousness. And do not assist each other in acts of sinfulness and transgression. And be aware of Allah. Verily, Allah is severe in punishment” (Quran 5:2).
The real power of impact lies in using one’s abilities and God-given potential to serving others and serving the Ummah.
Note how all the companions of the Prophet S.A.W and the good early Muslims were busy doing their best work to serve the Muslim Ummah and the Deen of Allah SWT.
You can serve the Deen of Allah and the Muslim Ummah in any good way either through your abilities (skills, knowledge) or through your resources (money, power, time).
While, the superiority of a good deed is based on its intentions, WITH sincere intentions, wouldn’t the most superior act of service be serving with your abilities AND resources?
To live life knowing you’re doing something valuable, that you’re worthy in some way, that you’re not just here on this planet to eat, drink and sleep like animals… that sense of self-worth comes from spending time doing more things that are meaningful to you, challenge you to grow, have a cause bigger than you, and impact others in a positive way.
But of course. Service is not about increasing self-worth at the end of the day.
Service, in it’s purest form, is only about pleasing Allah SWT.
When Allah SWT is pleased, He SWT gifts us with that sense of self-worth and we know we are worthy to Him, which is the only thing that matters anyway.
4️⃣Passion/ Joy: 🎁
I mention ‘Passion’ at the end because if you look closely, that’s where it belongs.
After you’ve found a path or next move that is purpose aligned, allows you to work with your potential, and make impact, then note if you see yourself enjoying the work.
The beautiful thing about Allah’s blessings is that they are never-ending. Expansive. Limitless.
Meaning, you can find MANY things to do in Dunya that check all 3 of the boxes above – purpose, potential, impact.
And from the things on your list that check those 3 boxes, you can simply pick the ONE that you enjoy the most. Then you’d have all four – purpose, potential, impact and passion. That’s how simple it can be.
But know this – you’ll never find something that you’ll 100% enjoy. There’ll be parts of it you’ll enjoy and parts that you’ll not.
The answer is to simply choose something that has more parts that you enjoy doing (or can see yourself enjoying if you’ve never tried it before) and is not something you completely hate or find incredibly anxiety-provoking (this can change over the course of time of course).
And if you have already gained clarity on a path that Allah SWT has given you but you don’t love it, know that you can always learn to love something over time.
Especially if it’s something that pushes you to be your best version, and allows you to impact others. It will most definitely create the sense of self-satisfaction and fulfillment.
Another thing to know is that Allah SWT will open other paths for you in the future. You just have to be patient and grateful.
I’ve learned that when you pick goals and paths that focus on purpose, potential and impact, Allah SWT gives you a gift.
And that gift is JOY in your work.
So don’t go looking in the wrong order. Don’t go looking for passion first.
Remember – This is a BONUS. 🎁
“I think a lot of anxiety comes from the assumption that your calling is like a magical entity that exists in the world, waiting to be discovered.” -Amy Wrzesniewski
We have a higher purpose to fulfill on this planet. We are here on a mission to do good and serve Allah SWT for a better Akhirah.
Don’t let temporary flashy ‘fun’ projects get in the way of your mission and message.
“Have you seen ˹O Prophet˺ the one who has taken their own desires as their god?” (25:43)
You can pick hobbies you love and adore, but don’t confuse temporary enjoyment and fun with deep fulfillment and ever-lasting joy.
This brings me to what I like to call…
🌟 Aligned Path 🌟
The sweet spot in the center is the ALIGNED path.
This, my friends, is the path of visionaries.
Visionaries who dream BIG for Dunya and Akhirah.
This is the path that aligns with your higher purpose in life as a Muslim as well as your strengths to do good and create impact. (And secretly, it’s also what you want to do and may even come to love. 🤭)
If deep down you want to be in that center, you simply are a visionary, pal.
You already have that ‘visionary seed’ inside you.
It just needs the persistent hard work, & patience to become the fruit-bearing tree that’s encapsulated in that seed one day.
But hear this – you already have the seed inside you. How empowering is that?
But to become the visionary you’re destined to be,
➡️you must start with getting the clarity on your dream path (clarity),
➡️then design your goals (strategy),
➡️then reconcile them with your time (execution).
Let’s start by first getting you the clarity.
Use the free resource with step by step implementation exercises to get clarity around your next move/ goal/ path. There’s NOTHING out there like this resource. And it’s completely free! You can get access to it here.
🛤️Why we NEED an Aligned Path
Let’s talk about why NOT first.
🚫Not just to live a good ‘happy’ life
🚫Not just to live a prestigious life
🚫Not just to be awesome or unique or cool
🚫Not just to be wealthy and ‘successful’
Although these are amazing outcomes and gifts from Allah SWT in Dunya that you’ll enjoy on the path anyway, these are not the primary reasons for picking an aligned path.
Here’s why we really pick aligned goals/ path:
✅To please Allah by using our God-gifted potential to do more good
✅To set up an ongoing source of Sadqah-e-Jariah through the impact of our work (this is an investment that’ll pay itself back many times over)
✅To use our work as a mode of guidance for other people towards the Deen of Allah
Also we will be asked the question on the day of judgment:
- What did you do with your time, health, money, youth, energy, resources, abilities, skills. knowledge – did you spend them to secure your Akhirah, or did you spend them just to chase Dunya?
Ibn Mas’ud reported: The Prophet SAW said,
“The son of Adam will not be dismissed from his Lord on the Day of Resurrection until he is questioned about five matters: his life and how he lived it, his youth and how he expended it, his wealth and how he earned it and he spent it, and how he acted upon his knowledge.”
Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2416
“Whoever desires the harvest of the Hereafter – We increase for him in his harvest. And whoever desires the harvest of this world – We give him thereof, but there is not for him in the Hereafter any share.” [42: 20]
What happens when you work on an Aligned Path
⭐Fulfillment is the reward. You live life on a new level of happiness and fulfillment that very few people ever experience. The work you do on your aligned path is highly rewarding and fulfills you deeply.
⭐Your work keeps you excited every single day. It is what gets you out of bed every day.
⭐It becomes the cure of problems like depression, loneliness, worry, etc. You find strength in your work even when life throws difficulties along your way.
⭐It boosts your self-confidence and self-worth. It makes you feel like you’re doing something WORTHWHILE, unlike the majority of humans who live life only for themselves and do little good.
⭐It makes you stronger as it challenges you out of your comfort zone and you use that latent potential. It shows you what Allah SWT has made you capable of.
⭐It inspires you. You are in awe of being blessed to do that work.
⭐You see and FEEL the barakah in your work, time and money as your work pleases Allah SWT.
⭐You collect sadqah-e-jariah through the impact of your work. You have investments of ajar set up for Akhirah, you’re not worried about the part of ‘doing the good’. Now you just have to focus on purifying your niyyah, staying consistent on the path despite the difficulties, and staying grounded and humble.
⭐When you look back, you have no regrets when it comes to doing great work. You have lived your life in the effort of doing good work.
⭐You have become an example for others. That holds you accountable and makes you an even better Muslim (as you watch your actions more from the fear of misguiding people who look up to you).
⭐Your aligned path anchors you to Deen every time you get distracted by the fitnah/ the material aspects of Dunya (like money, etc.). It helps you STAY a good Muslim and stay consistent in the good habits you’ve built.
Our Muslim community needs big dreamers. Visionaries. Change-makers. Good hard working professionals. To make an impact in a positive way. To embody the identity Allah SWT has reserved only for Muslims – becoming spiritually driven intellectuals capable of achieving incredible things.
Our Muslim ancestors have lived their aligned path. Now it’s our turn.
Action Items:
✅STEP ONE: Explore your potential (strengths, abilities)
✅STEP TWO: Brainstorm Ideas for Impact
✅STEP THREE: Align path with purpose
✅STEP FOUR: Pick the path that promises the most joy
In the free clarity kit I’ve created for you to get clarity, I’ve laid out small exercises under each of these action items along with examples and checkpoints to help you get complete clarity on your next move. You can get the free download by clicking here >
Final Word
I hope this post opened a door of possibilities for you.
Clarity on your goals and path is an absolute blessing and joy to have.
But it can also be scary to look for it… maybe because we think we’re not ready to do whatever we’re supposed to next.
Don’t be too afraid to start a new path. People do it all the time.
Take a leap of Faith in Allah, then yourself and just go for it. I promise, it’ll become so much easier after you take that first step. But I understand, you can’t do that unless you have complete clarity on it.
I wish you the best in your search for clarity. With the Will of Allah, you will find it if you look for it.
Don’t forget to download your free resource, a step by step implementation exercise for you to get clarity around your next move/ goal/ path. It has simple exercises, examples and checkpoints to help you get complete clarity on your next move.
What’s next?
➡️ Once you’ve found the clarity you need, your next herculean task would be to overcome self-doubt and fear/ hesitation to execute on that goal/ path. Shaytan will do everything in his power to stop you from taking action on the aligned goal/ path.
Watch the free trainings in the trainings vault to overcome your fears and blocks to taking action: https://muslimempowerment.com/trainings/
➡️ After you’ve overcome internal barriers and started work on your dream goal/ path, the next biggest challenge that’ll determine the success in the outcome of your work will be staying FOCUSED and disciplined to get work done consistently.
Especially because nobody is holding you accountable for your important goals, and you have to rely on yourself to get up and take massive action towards your goal!
Plan, and execute your pressing goals in record time by joining us in Balance Deen and Dunya.
Now, it’s Your Turn
Comment below and write what type of clarity are you looking for right NOW. I’d absolutely love to know where you need help with gaining clarity and what could be your next steps towards an aligned path! 👇🏼
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
✅ Free Clarity Kit: https://muslimempowerment.com/free-clarity-kit/
✅ Balance Deen and Dunya: https://balancedeenanddunya.com/bdd-waitlist/
Follow Aimen on other platforms:
🌟Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/muslimempowermentofficial/
🌟Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/muslimempowermentofficial
📌Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/aimen137/
More from Aimen:
➡️ Watch my FREE trainings from our private Free Trainings Vault on designing your dream balanced life, increasing your performance and creating impact: https://muslimempowerment.com/trainings/
➡️ Goal-Setting: Set Your Next Deen and Dunya Goals towards a more Balanced and Fulfilling life with the Free Starter Kit: https://balancedeenanddunya.com/starter-kit/
➡️ Take your performance and mindset to the next level with my step-by-step course on simplified planning and focused execution on your important goals, minus the overwhelm/ burnouts/ exhaustion: https://balancedeenanddunya.com/enroll/
➡️ Join the Waitlist for my done-together high-level coaching program for starting a halal, Aligned, Profitable Online Course, Coaching, Consulting Business: Empowered Muslim Entrepreneur > https://muslimempowerment.com/empowered-muslim-entrepreneur-waitlist/
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