Feeling Lost at 25 - Seeking Hope and Advice, Assalamu Alaikum
Assalamu Alaikum, I’m a 25-year-old Muslim working as a Mechanical Engineer in Riyadh, and I feel completely lost. I’m hoping to hear from fellow Muslims who’ve been in a similar place and found a way forward. I was never a strong student - I got through engineering aiming just to pass, and I often didn’t really understand the material. My parents were strict; they cared for me but there wasn’t much emotional support. I was bullied a lot as a kid, and that left me with low confidence, a fear of speaking up, and this constant feeling that I’m not good enough. Now I’m in Riyadh on site training after five months, but I honestly struggle to keep up. I look at other engineers and feel small next to them. I try to learn Revit and mechanical design, but seeing others’ work makes me think I’ll never be capable. I’m the eldest sibling and my younger brothers and sisters look up to me, yet I feel like I’m failing them and failing myself. On top of that, I’m spiritually stuck. For the last five years I’ve been praying, reading the Qur’an, trying to pray Tahajjud, making du’a, and trying to be consistent - but I keep falling into sins. It’s a cycle I can’t seem to break. I repent, I cry, I feel guilty, and then I slip again. That guilt makes ibadah feel heavy because I’m afraid Allah is displeased with me. I truly want to do something pleasing to Allah, to honour my parents, and to better myself - but I feel weak, blank, tired, and lost. Has anyone been at rock bottom - mentally, spiritually, and emotionally - and then seen Allah open a door when they least expected it? How did you start rebuilding confidence, skill, and your relationship with Allah? Any practical steps, du’as, or personal stories would mean a lot. JazakAllah khair.