Part 25

Each of these things indicates weakness of faith, mind, and insight. Whoever wants this worldly life and prefers it, he either believes that what is in the Hereatter is better and more lasting or he does not believe in it. If he does not believe, he will be lacking in faith but if he believes and does not prefer the Hereafter, his mind is ill and he is choosing evil for himself.

This is a present and necessary division that the servant must decide on. Preferring this worldly life instead of the Hereafter is either because of lack of faith or an ill mind, These two are the most common causes for preferring this worldly life and that is why the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) neglected it and his Companions kept their hearts away from it, abandoned it, and considered it as a prison, nota paradise. If they wanted it they would have gained all the pleasures it contained. The keys of treasures were offered to him (peace be upon him) and he refused and this worldly life presented all its wealth to his companions but they still preferred the Hereatter. They knew that life is only a crossing point and a passage that is not

AL-FAWA'ID : A Collection of Wise Syaings * 149

lasting, just like a cloud that will soon move, and a dream that they will soon wake up from.

> E if 2 gt, tae 8 avd ac fms oe oy Se a Te wel gla 2 by C5 GBS Gor ob TS ANG BUT Us i So a a Se pe ee fee ok 27 Uy Ewe ha ag

Oy Ri 5 ONT Jad Luis

which means, "Verily the likeness of (this) worldly life is as the water (rain) which We send down from the sky, so by it arises the intermingled produce of the earth of which men and cattle eat until when the earth is clad with its adornments and is beautified, and its people think that they have all the powers of disposal over it, Our Command reaches it by night or by day and We make it like a clean-mown harvest, as if it had not flourished yesterday! Thus do We explain the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, laws, etc.) in

“Recorded by Muslim, book pertaining to paradise, its description its bounties, and its intimates, chapter pertaining to the destruction of the world and assembling on the day of resurrection, no.2858.

150 * AL-FAWA'ID: A Collection of Wise Sayings

detail for the people who reflect. Allah cails to the home of peace (i.e. Paradise, by accepting Allah's religion of Islamic Monotheism and by doing righteous good deeds and abstaining from polytheism and evil deeds) and guides whom He wills to a Straight Path." (Ydnus, 10:24-25)

He told us about the meanness of this worldly life and urged man to avoid it while calling for the Hereafter.

Allah, the Almighty says,

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my ao qe sae eo le te ee Gales ch IS fe ail ots Cp og}-5 Lone A

7 LEG - £ loo - goo - ad ord oii te SOI 5 ON ibs ee BS Se ey luteal

which means, "And put forward to them the example of the life of this world, it is like the water (rain) which We send down from the sky, and the vegetation of the earth mingles with it, and becomes fresh and green. But (later) it becomes dry and broken pieces, which the winds scatter. And Allah is Able to do everything. Wealth and children are the adornment of the life of this world. But the good righteous deeds (five compulsory prayers, deeds of Allah's obedience, good and nice talk, remembrance of Allah with glorification, praises and thanks, etc.), that last, are better with your Lord for rewards and better in respect of hope." (Al-Kahf, 18:45-46)

And He, the Almighty says,

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fo o+- eo ee

AL-FAWA'ID : A Collection of Wise Syaings * 151

Sil asdi Gy Opes At Gh akg Lot Side ei gg =~ BAU doe 4D ee

which means, "Know that the life of this world is only play and amusement, pomp and mutual boasting among you, and rivalry in respect of wealth and children, as the likeness of vegetation after rain, thereof the growth is pleasing to the tiller; afterwards it dries up and you see it turning yellow; then it becomes straw. But in the Hereafter (there is) a severe torment (for the disbelievers, evil-doers), and (there is) Forgiveness from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure (for the believers, good-doers), whereas the life of this world is only a deceiving enjoyment." (Al-Hadid, 57:20)

And He, the Almighty says,

aT en oo lw vk eg ate Fee eae ous ly GAT asd (ae y5 wilh 8G OT Sy aealls

. sca. 4 Fs ¢ > og beset ks eet 4 Us

jn 2 Bede g PL?

. ana’ mae ane pb ook 2 a oe teas Sab cb ed o> GOV! Le oe Oe

which means, “Beautified for men is the love of things they covet; women, children, much of gold and silver (wealth), branded beautiful horses, cattle and well-tilled land. This is the pleasure of the present world's life; but Allah has the excellent return (Paradise with flowing rivers, etc.) with Him. Say: “Shall | inform you of things far better than those? For A/-Muttaqan (the pious - see V.2:2) there are Gardens (Paradise) with their Lord, underneath which rivers flow. Therein (is their) eternal (home)

152 * AL-FAWA'ID: A Collection of Wise Sayings

and Azwajun Mutahharatun (purified mates or wives) [i.e. they will have no menses, urine, or stool, etc.], And Allah will be pleased with them. And Allah is All-Seer of the (His) slaves."

which means, "And they rejoice in the life of the world, whereas the life of this world as compared with the Hereafter is but a brief passing enjoyment." (Ar-Ra'd, 13:26)

Allah, the Exalted threatened those who seek this worldly life alone and neglect His verses. He, the Almighty says,

which means, "Verily, those who hope not for their meeting with Us, but are pleased and satisfied with the life of the present world, and those who are heedless of Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), Those, their abode will be the Fire, because of what they used to earn."

And He, the Almighty reproached those who sought this worldly life from among the believers when He says,

Nail oe Gg igel SS Jay SUIS all Ye y

Boe Ge ete oi eat ee oe EL Heme ote -ae 48 € Selb Vp aT g Sau Spar! ae Led eV ZT Bal aysil keg

which means, "O you who believe! What is the matter with you, that when you are asked to march forth in the Cause of Allah (i.e. Jihad) you cling heavily to the earth? Are you pleased with

AL-FAWA'ID : A Collection of Wise Syaings * 153

the life of this world rather than the Hereafter? But little is the enjoyment of the life of this world as compared with the Hereafter." (At-Tawbah, 9:38)

The more the servant seeks this worldly life and is satisfied with it, the more he will slacken in obeying Allah and seeking the Hereafter. It is enough that Allah says,

Be Dpdb IPO G parle Bo oye ERE of Cid o

which means, "Tell Me, if We do let them enjoy for years, And afterwards comes to them that (punishment) which they had been promised! All that with which they used to enjoy shall not avail them." (Ash-Shu'ara’, 26:205-207)

And He, the Almighty says,

ee OES WOT gs BUY kk aT of AZ ays p

which means, "And on the Day when He shalt gather (resurrect) them together, (it will be) as if they had not stayed (in the life of this world and graves, etc.) but an hour of a day. They will recognize each other." (YGnus, 10:45)

And He, the Almighty says,

4 fee Be Se LZ ee ee ace cle , the . Yelle at a ge MeL YG I hey be Oye Oe eB 4D Gyknull all

which means, "Therefore be patient (O Muhammad) as did the Messengers of strong will and be in no haste about them (disbelievers). On the Day when they will see that (torment) with which they are promised (i.e. threatened, it will be) as if they had not stayed more than an hour in a single day. (O mankind!

154 * AL-FAWA'ID: A Collection of Wise Sayings

This Qur'an is sufficient as) a clear Message (or proclamation to save yourself from destruction). But shall any be destroyed except the people who are Al-Fasiqun (the rebellious, disobedient to Allah)." (Al-Ahgaf, 46:35)

And He, the Almighty says,

ol tte Gite oe 290 og ES ee ge anata CD Le gl ae VI GD A) a ok MB Gs Ja Sal Le

which means, "They ask you (O Muhammad) about the Hour, - when will be its appointed time? You have no knowledge to say anything about it, to your Lord belongs (the knowledge of) the term thereof. You (O Muhammad) are only a warner for those who fear it. The Day they see it, (it will be) as if they had not tarried (in this world) except an afternoon or a morning." (An-

And He, the Almighty says, 4 EU BE EG op ATT La LT Aw gis 3

which means, "And on the Day that the Hour will be established, the Mujrimdn (criminals, disbelievers, polytheists, sinners, etc.) will swear that they stayed not but an hour.” (Ar-

And He, the Almighty says, Jeb i Gas GP OY EI LSS a Gee Se LOT g AIS US >

which means, "He (Allah) will say: "What number of years did you stay on earth?" They will say: "We stayed a day or part of a day. Ask of those who keep account." He (Allah) will say: "You