Is one required to completely abandon permissible things that distract him from the afterlife, or should he strive for moderation in them, especially in the case of excessive preoccupation with bodybuilding and the accompanying feelings of strength and inner anger?

Moderation is the middle ground between two states, whether in quantity, quality, or proportion, and it is a characteristic of the Muslim Ummah. The successful Muslim is one who fulfills the rights due to their owners, such as the rights of Allah, the self, and the family. A Muslim should be moderate in practicing sports, so that their intention is legitimate and it benefits rather than harms their character and conduct, thus making it desirable. If a Muslim cannot be moderate in practicing sports, and it consumes their time and thoughts and negatively affects their character, then it is better for them to abandon it; because it may hinder the fulfillment of servitude to Allah. The prophets and righteous people abandon whatever distracts them from the worship of Allah. The crux of the matter revolves around the servant's aspiration and intention, and this cannot be achieved except by abandoning habits and customs, forsaking external obstacles, severing heart attachments to permissible things and the like, and leaving superfluous things that distract from the main objective.