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Is a good muslim he who devotes his life to Islam or he who keeps a balance between life and faith?

I mean are we supposed to live our whole lives devoted to Islam, no chasing careers, no chasing wealth, just Islam and longing for the hereafter or Keep a balance, go to school, try to go as far in life as possible BUT keep a rememberance of who we are and our 5 pillars. Are we supposed to try and reach and maximum potention in life as long as it is halal? If you answer with quotations, please from the Quran only, or at least reliable hadith.

Public Comments

1. both are same things..even buddhists and ancient religions know about it. *shrug*
2. What is Islam ? Islam is not a new religion, but the same truth that God revealed through all His prophets to every people. For a fifth of the world's population, Islam is both a religion and a complete way of life. Muslims follow a religion of peace, mercy, and forgiveness, and the majority have nothing to do with the extremely grave events which have come to be associated with their faith. Who are the Muslims? One billion people from a vast range of races, nationalities and cultures across the globe - from the southern Philippines to Nigeria - are united by their common Islamic faith. About 18% live in the Arab world; the world's largest Muslim community is in Indonesia; substantial parts of Asia and most of Africa are Muslim, while significant minorities are to be found in the Soviet Union, China, North and South America, and Europe. 10 points please ..
3. In the name of Allah Most Gracious Most Merciful Islam: The Middle Way Some people think that to live an Islamic life is "restrictive". Islam however, was revealed as a balanced way of living. Allah (The Most High) created all the humans with what is called 'A Fitrah' (a natural state/desire).Islam recognises that within this Fitrah there are motivations that influence a man's role on earth e.g. a desire for good food and drink, to have a home, a desire for love and sex, to protect and be protected and to be successful and strong. Without some form of control and limit, all of these legitimate motives could prove very dangerous. So what constitutes the perfect control for the Fitrah? It must be a method that provides an organised yet practical demonstration of how to balance all these natural human desires. It cannot be something that goes against the Fitrah, by placing on it extra burdens. Likewise, it cannot be something that allows the human desires to run wild without any form of control. Islam is the perfect control for the Fitrah. It provides a divine method that elevates man above animals and the rest of creation. Humans lack perfect knowledge as well as perfect wisdom. No matter how hard we try, we will never attain the perfect way of life by our own thinking and interpretation. This is the reason why Allaah being the Most Wise, sent us the Qur'an and the Prophet Muhammad (SAW)[2] to show us this practical and organised way of life. Allaah, being Perfect, in His Wisdom and Knowledge, perfected a complete way of life for us. He has set His limitations and rules, all of which are beneficial to mankind, and therefore, do not need changing: "These are the limits (set) by Allaah, so do not approach them" (Surah al-Baqarah 2:1871) "These are the limits set by Allaah, so do not transgress them" (Surah al-Baqarah 2:229) This is why Islam does not allow celibacy, because it is against the Fitrah, i.e., the desire for sex. Celibacy goes beyond the limits required by humans, and is something that cannot be fulfilled because humans are designed to procreate. As humans we are not expected to fast every single day for the rest of our lives (for most 30 days of the year provides an up-hill struggle). It is also from ignorance to say that 'I shall not sleep during the night, but rather I shall pray!' [3] Humans have not been created by Allah to live life in such a manner. There is a balance which must be observed. The following incident describes the Islamic stance towards such behaviour, Anas reported that some of the Companions of Allaah's Messenger (SAW) used to say: "I will not marry women"; someone else said: "I will not eat meat"; and someone else said: "I will not lie down in bed". (On hearing this): The Prophet (SAW) praised Allaah, and glorified Him and said: "what has happened to these people that they say so and so, whereas I observe prayer and I sleep too. I observe fast and I break my fast; I marry women also. And he who turns away from my Sunnah (i.e., my example or lifestyle), he has no relation with me" [Narrated in Saheeh Muslim vol. 2. p703. no. 32361]. Islam on the other hand, does not allow the person to surrender themselves to lust and desire, as in contemporary 'civilisation'. Islam recognises the love a man has for women, children, gold, silver, and other possessions. But it provides a limit for the amount of this worldly pleasure which we require, and reminds us of the life in the hereafter. "Beautified for men is the love of things they desire: Women, Children, much of gold and silver (wealth), branded beautiful horses, cattle and well-tilled land. This is the pleasure of the present world's life, but Allaah has the excellent return ( Paradise )" (Surah Aali-Imraan 3:141) The inclinations and desires of the Fitrah are not to become the objective in life. Rather they are to be taken in a stabilised manner. The way to deal with them is real and Allaah (The Most High) has given us the detailed descriptions of a levelled approach. This levelled approach gives mankind the perfectly balanced pleasure in this worldly life. The method of maintaining a well-balanced life is not an endurance test to see who lasts the longest. Allah has revealed Islam, to show us how to attain this balance in a real manner. Life is not a torturous spiritual test, where you are ordered to Iive in mountains and trees. Fasting all year round is not obligatory. Marriage is permissible and you do not have to beat yourself senseless to purify your soul! Rather as Muslims, we must try to follow the Prophet and his balanced teachings of life and living. As Allah says in the Qur'an: "Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (saw), you have a good example to follow.." (Surah Al-Ahzab 33:21)
4. Balance is highly required otherwise you wouldn't understand religion at all and the temporariness of this world and the temporariness of its pleasures. When you understand this world to you'll start understanding religion and then there's no limit. Eventually whatever you do will be a religious activity because you'll simply find that following God's commands are of far greater value than anything else.
5. Islam has again and again stated that moderation is the epitome(example) of a good Muslim. in Islam, it is forbidden to leave the world to chase after the religion. Similarly, to chase after the world is also prohibited. Islam advises to balance both the world and your religion. It also advises that moderation in everything is better than solely chasing your deen (religion). To seek out a good career is a must on all the Muslim males so that they may support their family. Wealth is often the root of all wrongdoing so exercise should be maintained to spend the wealth in the way of Allah. In this matter, no moderation is required. you can spend all the money you have leaving just enough for your basic needs. Soon enough, you'll get ten fold the amount as Allah states the He will give tenfold of what the believer has given for His sake. (not exact words) that's why we always say in Islam; he who spends is richer than he who keeps it. so your 2nd statement would be quite accurate.
6. A Balance The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) once asked a companion: "(Is it true) that you fast all day and stand in prayer all night?" The companion replied that the report was indeed true. The Prophet then said: "Do not do that! Observe the fast sometimes and also leave (it) at other times. Stand up for prayer at night and also sleep at night. Your body has a right over you, your eyes have a right over you and your wife has a right over you." - Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 7, Hadith 127 The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately. . .Always adopt a middle, moderate, regular course, whereby you will reach your target (of paradise)." - Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 8, Hadith 470
7. Keeping a balanced life itself is devotion to Islam. It is part of Islam to fulfill right of Allah, your own body, your family and relatives and the whole society.
8. 'Getting married is completing half your 'Deen'. (Hadith). Hope the answer is there.
9. Devoting your life to Islam is the best. Especially since you get those things in the "balanced" way too. Part of our Islamic duty IS educating ourselves, so going to school would be a good deed in Islam. A good career and working hard is a good deed. If you're a man and you use that money to feed your wife, Allah sees that as a charity. You are caring for others. And reaching good wealth to leave your family is a good deed. :-) Make a life for yourself and remember Allah in all you do. That's the best way.