On a recent flight, the captain announced that complimentary wi-fi was available. I was delighted. Like many passengers, I eagerly tried to connect, but after several unsuccessful attempts, I reluctantly accepted that it simply wasn't working. As I settled back into my seat, a familiar saying came to mind: “You get what you pay for.”

That brief inconvenience became an unexpected reminder of a profound truth. In life, things of genuine worth rarely come without investment. Whether it is education, a successful career, good health, strong relationships or financial security, excellence usually requires commitment, discipline and perseverance. We understand that quality comes at a price.

Islam teaches the same principle regarding our greatest investment — the hereafter.

Allah says in the Koran: “And that there is not for man except that for which he strives.” (53:39)

This powerful verse reminds us that success is not built on wishful thinking but on sincere effort. Every worthwhile achievement demands striving, and our eternal destination is no exception.

We spend years pursuing qualifications to earn a living. We exercise and eat wisely to preserve our health. We obey the laws of society to live peacefully with others.

Likewise, we obey Allah's commandments, establish our prayers, give charity, speak truthfully, show kindness, and seek forgiveness because we are striving for something infinitely greater than worldly success — the eternal pleasure of Allah and His Paradise.

Allah repeatedly links faith with action: “Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds will have the Gardens of Paradise as their accommodation.” (18:107)

Faith is never presented as mere belief without action. True faith motivates good deeds, and good deeds strengthen faith.

The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “The intelligent person is the one who holds himself accountable and works for what comes after death.” (Narrated by Jāmiʿ al‑Tirmidhī, Hadith 2459)

Death is not the end; it is the beginning of eternal life. Every prayer offered with sincerity, every act of charity, every temptation resisted, every hardship borne with patience, and every good deed performed for Allah's sake is an investment that will never lose its value.

People often say, “No pain, no gain.” There is wisdom in those words. Athletes train relentlessly before standing on a podium. Students sacrifice comfort before earning their qualifications. Farmers sow before they reap. Likewise, Allah has established a divine law that what we harvest tomorrow depends on what we plant today.

As the saying goes, you reap what you sow. Islam teaches an even deeper reality: you receive what you strive for.

Perhaps my failed attempt to access “free” wi-fi was a reminder that the things we value most are rarely obtained without effort. Paradise is priceless, yet Allah, in His mercy, has shown us the path to it. The journey requires faith, obedience, repentance, patience and perseverance.

In the end, life continually teaches the same lesson that the Koran declared over 14 centuries ago: “There is not for man except that for which he strives.”

May Allah make us among those whose striving is sincere, whose deeds are accepted, and whose final reward is Jannatul-Firdaws. Ameen.

Remember the adage, “Nothing in life is free … nor in death.”

Everything has a cost. In life, you pay with effort, time, and sacrifice. In death, you “pay” with your deeds. Nothing is truly free — not the dunya (the temporary we live in now), and not the hereafter (permanent life). The wise person prepares for both.

Bermuda, let us be mindful and take heed always.

As salaam alaikum (peace be unto you).

• Linda Walia Ming is a member of the Bermuda Hijab Dawah Team, a group of Muslim women who reside in Bermuda and have a goal of educating the community about the religion of Islam