Looking back, my young self thought it was all just stories... 😭😭

Even though I was born a Muslim, when I was around 6 to 8 years old, I used to think the prophets were made up. I didn't even realize Christianity shares many of the same prophets-like Prophet Dawud (A.S.). Hearing about him taking down a giant with a slingshot, my little mind was like, 'No way there were giants on Earth, and how did he not get crushed?' I also struggled to believe Musa (A.S.) split the sea, and it totally surprised me later to learn that Isa (A.S.) is one of our prophets too. I even remember foolishly joking about him as a kid without knowing better... now, Alhamdulillah, I understand he's a beloved Prophet of Allah and will return to defeat the Dajjal. As I got older and started reading the Quran and listening to Islamic talks, everything began to make sense. I'm not a perfect Muslim-I’ve got my sins-and back then, I didn’t fully grasp the Hadiths and stories shared at the masjid. Even now in my 20s, I’m still learning every day. I went astray for a while, chasing the temptations of this dunya... but it’s a reminder that death is closer than we think. May Allah have mercy on my soul, draw me nearer to Him, and grant the same to the entire Ummah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.