When the lifestyle of one who is working solely for the material gains of this world is compared with that of a person who is striving for the everlasting rewards of the Hereafter, there is seemingly very little difference. In both cases, each person seems to be striving to maintain a quality life.
The Qur’an , however, states that the two parties are far from equal:
{Is then the one who believes equal to the man who is a transgressor and wicked? Not equal are they.} (As-Sajdah 32: 18)
What Is the Difference?
It is clear that the non-believer, limited to himself and feeding upon his own desires, cannot compare with the true believer.
The non-believer may fulfil all his worldly desires, but his accomplishments will only bring temporary satisfaction;
{To him who desires only this fleeting life, We grant him only here and only as much as We please, only to whomever We will: but in the end We consign him to Hell.} (Al-Israa’ 17: 18.)
The true believer on the other hand, may achieve worldly gains but he realizes that true contentment will only come when the ultimate reward of Paradise and the pleasure of his Lord is achieved.
{Verily, that which is with Allah is best for you, if you but knew. All that which is with you is bound to end, whereas all that which is with Allah is everlasting.} (An-Nahl 16:95-96.)
This understanding of life and its true objective is the secret of the believer’s strength and support. This makes him the most powerful and resourceful person to walk upon the earth.
The Qur’an continues in Al-Israa’:
{But, as for those who desire the life to come, and strive for it as it ought to be striven for, and are true Believers- they are the ones whose strivings find acceptance and reward.} (Al-Israa’ 17: 19)
Start, then, to prepare for the Aakhirah today!
Why waste your time and energy on what will perish when you can use the same to earn the delights and pleasures of the life to come?
Everything you have must be put forward as an investment for that life, but you must keep in mind that the investment is not the objective.
All that Allah has bestowed on you -body, mind, faculties, and property -are valuables for investment, but the real objective is to earn the pleasure of Allah and the rewards of Jannah.
Remember that your personal destiny and, therefore, the end of all your life’s pursuits, lie in the Hereafter, but the road to that destiny lies in Dunya, in this world. Indeed the achievements made during the time of the Prophet were the results of full participation in this world – neither withdrawing nor retiring from it – for the sake of the life to come.
The Prophet and his Companions planned for this world as though they were going to stay here forever but equally they sought the rewards of the Hereafter as though death was close at hand. It is this delicate balance that you must strive to achieve in your approach to life.
The reality of the hereafter
For those who sat and listened to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), the Hereafter became almost a living reality to the extent that they could almost visualize it with their own eyes.
On some occasions, during the Prophet’s descriptions of the Aakhirah, they observed him going forward as if to grasp something while on other occasions he would withdraw as if to save himself.
When questioned about those unusual movements the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) explained that as he spoke, he saw the fruits of Jannah in front of him.
He reached out wanting to seize some so that he could show them. He said that, had he done so, it would have provided enough food for the entire world in all times to come.
Similarly, when he withdrew, he saw the Hell-fire in front of him and wanted to save himself from it.
It was this and other similar experiences witnessed by the companions which were responsible for reforming their lives so completely that all their morals, manners, activities, goals in life – indeed, their entire purpose of existence – was determined by their awareness of their meeting with Allah.
It is this reality and conviction in our ultimate fate – repeatedly emphasized in the Qur’an and in the life example of the Prophet – that we must continuously refer to for inspiration in conducting life’s activities.
References
Taken with slight modifications from the author’s book: In the Early Hours