You Don’t Have to Do It All—And That’s Okay

In a world where we are constantly exposed to what others are doing, it’s easy to feel like we’re not doing enough. We see people heavily involved in charity work, constantly sharing Islamic reminders online, memorising Qur’ān, praying every Nawaafil prayer, or engaging in countless acts of worship—and while all of these things are beautiful, they don’t necessarily mean they are your path.

Allah created each of us uniquely. We have different personalities, different strengths, different challenges, different family dynamics, and different capacities. What comes naturally to one person may be incredibly difficult for another. One person may thrive in public work, while another finds their strength in quiet, unseen acts of devotion. One person may give generously in charity, while another gives through their time, their patience, or their kindness. All of these are forms of worship.

Not every act of worship is meant for everyone in the same way. You don’t have to force yourself to do everything just because you see others doing it. Maybe you’re not someone who can organise charity events, but your presence brings comfort to a friend who is struggling. Maybe you’re not memorising pages of the Qur’ān every day, but you recite even a small verse with sincerity and love. Maybe you don’t have the energy to pray every Nawaafil prayer, but the few rak‘ahs you pray are done with deep khushu‘.

What truly matters is sincerity. A small act done with a present heart is far more beloved to Allah than a large act done out of pressure or comparison. The Prophet ﷺ taught us that “the most beloved deeds to Allah are those that are consistent, even if they are small.”

So, free yourself from the burden of unrealistic expectations. Stop measuring yourself against someone else’s journey. Your worship, your contributions, and your connection with Allah will look different from others—and that’s okay. Find what resonates with you, what brings you closer to Allah in a way that feels natural and sustainable.

Your worth in the sight of Allah is not based on how much you do compared to others, but in how sincerely you do what you can.