Most of us have heard the phrase "Life is short..".And many of us think it is and believe it.When it refers to this duniya(the present world),it is true.Not many of us can live to 100 years old;even that is short compared to the life of the planet earth todate.
The understading that life is short makes one strives to fulfill one's desires as much as possible within the shortest possible time.In the pursuit,one may have transgressed those forbidden by Allah swt. This is due mainly to the misunderstanding the meaning of Islamic World view as conceived by many modern men that the 'world' refers only to this duniya without the akhirat(the Hereafter).This is confirmed by the society perception of success like position,power and wealth associated with a person.
As muslims/musliamahs, we must include akhirat as part of the 'world'(alamin) in our thinking and understanding.As I was taught, the word 'alamin' is a plural in Arabic language,hence it is made of this world(duniya) and the Hereafter(akihirat). Therefore, life is not short. It is forever after one has passed through Alam Barzah.
It is very important to have this understanding of Islamic world view so that we may live our lives as stipulated in the Qur'an and The Sunnah.
Below is a copy of relevant article I got from Nasiha website which explains more and better on this issue.
Al-Isra (The Ascension)
Chapter 17: Verse 19
Road to The Final Destiny
"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"
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 is seen to be striving to maintain a quality life. But, it is clear that the non-believer cannot compare with the true Believer. The non-believer may find that all his worldly desires are fulfilled, but his accomplishments will only bring temporary satisfaction. The true Believer on the other hand, may achieve worldly gains but he realises that true contentment will only come when the ultimate reward of Paradise and the pleasure of his Lord is achieved.
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.
Start, then, to prepare for the Hereafter 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 Paradise.
Remember that your personal destiny and, therefore, the end of all your life's pursuits, lay 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.
Source:
"In The Early Hours" - Khurram Murad
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