I have a lot of confusion regarding our excessive involvement in worldly affairs. Although I offer my prayer five times a day, but each time I stand before Allah, there are millions of thoughts that come to my mind. As far as the involvement is concerned, we are all the time thinking about what we have to do in this world. Since I am a student, my thoughts are only related to how and when I will complete all my tasks. Now, although I do give time to my religion, but I don't feel certain whether it is worthwhile or not. I just want to know what are my limits of getting involved in this world. Whether studying till the post graduate level or even beyond that means anything? These are some of the things that bother me all the time and I have reached a point where I feel that offering prayers or reciting the Qur’ān won't save me from going to Hell AT ALL. I'll be waiting for a reply.
The Almighty has made this world a place of trial and test. Here each person has been given the chance to prove his mettle and become worthy of an eternal reward in the Hereafter. If he is unable to do so, he shall have to face the ignominy of Hell. The Qur’ān we read every day and the prayer we offer five times a day actually serve to remind us of this reality, which we tend to forget so very easily.
However, this does not mean that one should not get involved in worldly affairs. In fact, a person should use whatever talents he has for the betterment of the society he lives in. He should try to correctly assess himself and choose a life which best suits his talents and abilities. The only thing he must remain mindful of in his struggles in the affairs of this world is that whenever, he has to make a decision in life, he should always give priority to the life of the Hereafter. Islam is not a religion of hermits and recluses, nor does it condone leading a life that is cut off from the rest of the world. It wants a person to live right in the mainstream of events and face the harsh realities of life.
As a student you should concentrate on your studies and specialize as much as you can in the field of your interest. During your educational and later vocational pursuits, whenever there is a clash between interests of this world and those of the Hereafter pray that the Almighty give you the courage to choose the latter.
In other words, the key word is balance and giving each thing its proper due. Neither should a person get so involved in life that he forgets the Hereafter, nor should he forsake the life of this world, lest he lose the chance to achieve high honours in the Hereafter.