Surah Ar-Ra'd · Ayah 17

فَأَمَّا ٱلزَّبَدُ فَيَذْهَبُ جُفَآءًۭ ۖ وَأَمَّا مَا يَنفَعُ ٱلنَّاسَ فَيَمْكُثُ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يَضْرِبُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْأَمْثَالَ

“As for the foam, it vanishes, being cast off; but as for what benefits mankind, it remains on the earth. This is how Allah sets forth parables.”

Recently I've noticed that when I consume — when I watch TV, play games, or accidentally scroll social media — time goes by, and when I wake up from the haze, it feels like wasted time. Like I didn't use any of it properly. I found that I'm a person who needs to see output. Something that is actually useful, actually of value to others. I find that in writing, in building, in creating. That's what gives me more meaning and purpose in my life than consuming ever has. And I feel this ayah captures it perfectly. The things that are pointless are cast off — they vanish. But whatever benefits people, that's what remains. That's what stays on the earth.

Week 2 · April 19, 2026