Are you satisfied with the life of this world rather than the Hereafter?
But what is the enjoyment of worldly life compared to the Hereafter except a [very] little. Sura At-Tawbah 38
This dunya is short, temporary, a place of deception – yet we fall for it, over and over again. The concept that we will rise again from the graves does not seem to register. AT ALL.
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Is not the world cursed and everything in it? Except for the remembrance of Allah and what facilitates it, the scholar or the student.” Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2322
Ibn Al-Qayyim says, Utba ibn Ghazwan delivered us a sermon and he praised Allah and laudeded Him, then said:
“Verily the world has been given the news of its end, and it is running to meet its end swiftly. Nothing remains of it except like water left in the utensil which its owner leaves. You are going to shift to an abode which knowns no end; and you should proceed there with the good before you.”
In another narration Jabir ibn ‘Abdullah reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, passed through the market, entering from part of the high part of the city and the people were on both sides of him. He passed by a dead one-eared goat and reached out and took its ear. Then he said, “Who would like to buy this for a dirham?” They said, “Why would we want it when it is worthless? What would we do with it?” He said, “Would you like to have it?” “No,” they replied. He asked them that three times and they said, “No, by Allah! If it were alive, it would have a defect as it only has one ear. Why would we want it when it is dead?” The Prophet said, “By Allah, this world is less in the sight of Allah than this goat is to you.” Reference: Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 962
If this world is more insignificant and detested to Allah than the dead goat then loving the dunya and working to achieve its goods, houses, cars, trucks, fame, popularity makes no sense at all. For surely it is coming to an end – sooner or later.
Allah created us for Jannah, not for this dunya. This world and the short life span is only a testing ground – and Allah wants to see who is best amongst us in deeds. As Allah says in Sura Al-Mulk – “[He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed – and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving –“.
If we spend our limited life in this dunya thinking this is it – what can we expect to achieve in the Hereafter? Allah says in Sura Naziat, “So as for he who transgressed, And preferred the life of the world, Then indeed, Hellfire will be [his] refuge.” The giver of life – who gave us life the first time – will give us eternal life – based on how we followed His commands and His book of guidance in this world – will we not then take heed?
Abdullah ibn Mas’ud reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, laid down upon a reed mat and it left marks on his side. When he woke up, I started wiping his side and I said, “O Messenger of Allah, why do you not let us spread something on top of this mat for you?” The Prophet said, “What is the world to me? What am I to the world? Verily, the example of this world and myself is that of a rider who seeks shade under a tree, then he moves on and leaves it behind.” Source: Musnad Aḥmad 3701
The Qur’an is from Heaven revealed by Allah (SWT) on the night of Power. Make a constant connection with the Qur’an and we will make connection with Heaven, Insha Allah.
And Allah knows best.
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