Developing Concern for the Hereafter: A Guide for Muslims
Every day we witness that thousands of people are born and thousands pass away. It is evident that death is an inevitable reality, and no one can dispute that everyone has to leave this world. As Allah’s commandment states: “Every soul will taste death.” When we know that after coming into this world, we have to die, what then is the reality of this world? Why have we come here, and what should we do in this world?
This world is a place for action. Allah has sent us here to worship Him and live our lives according to the straight path He has provided. No one besides Allah will remain; everyone’s life is limited, and when the appointed day comes, they leave this world. This means that this world is not a permanent place; rather, it is a transient place for a brief moment, like that of a traveler. Our real abode is the Hereafter, which is eternal. Allah says:
يَا قَوْمِ إِنَّمَا هَٰذِهِ الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا مَتَاعٌ وَإِنَّ الْآخِرَةَ هِيَ دَارُ الْقَرَارِ (غافر:39)
Translation: O my people! This worldly life is but a fleeting enjoyment, and indeed the Hereafter is the home of permanence.
Indeed, the life of the Hereafter is far more significant than the life of this world, which is just a brief moment. Allah says:
وَيَوْمَ يَحْشُرُهُمْ كَأَن لَّمْ يَلْبَثُوا إِلَّا سَاعَةً مِّنَ النَّهَارِ يَتَعَارَفُونَ بَيْنَهُمْ ۚ قَدْ خَسِرَ الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا بِلِقَاءِ اللَّهِ وَمَا كَانُوا مُهْتَدِينَ (یونس:45)
Translation: And remind them of the Day when Allah will gather them, and it will seem to them as if they had stayed in the world but for an hour of the day, recognizing one another. Truly, those who denied the meeting with Allah and were not guided, they will be in loss.
Do we not see that in this world, great people like Pharaoh, Qarun, Haman, and Shaddad came and went? None of their armies, power, or wealth could save them. Ultimately, they all had to leave this world. Therefore, even the disbelievers do not deny death, but they fail to take heed from it, nor do they believe in the resurrection after death. Allah says:
زَعَمَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا أَن لَّن يُبْعَثُوا ۚ قُلْ بَلَىٰ وَرَبِّي لَتُبْعَثُنَّ ثُمَّ لَتُنَبَّؤُونَّ بِمَا عَمِلْتُمْ ۚ وَذَٰلِكَ عَلَى اللَّهِ يَسِيرٌ (التغابن:7)
Translation: The disbelievers think that they will never be resurrected. Say: “Yes, by my Lord, you will certainly be resurrected, then you will certainly be informed of what you did, and that is easy for Allah.”
Every Muslim believes in the Hereafter, as one of the six pillars of faith is belief in the Hereafter. In light of this verse, it is imperative that we affirm our belief in the resurrection after death. Allah will resurrect all humans on the Day of Judgment and account for their deeds. We must also believe in everything mentioned about the Hereafter in the Qur’an and Hadith, such as the life in the grave, the rewards and punishments in the grave, the blowing of the horn by Israfil (as), the resurrection from the graves, the gathering on the Day of Judgment, the establishment of Allah’s justice, the reckoning, the Hawd (Pool of Paradise), the Sirat (Bridge), and the entry into Jannah (Paradise) or Jahannam (Hell).
The Hereafter is certain, and the purpose of our life in this world is to prepare for it. This is why Allah commands us in the Qur’an to prepare for the Hereafter. Allah says:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَلْتَنظُرْ نَفْسٌ مَّا قَدَّمَتْ لِغَدٍ ۖ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ (الحشر:18)
Translation: O you who have believed, fear Allah and let every soul look to what it has put forth for tomorrow (the Hereafter), and fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is All-Aware of what you do.
In another verse, Allah mentions that those who strive for the Hereafter with sincerity and effort will be rewarded. Allah says:
وَمَنْ أَرَادَ الْآخِرَةَ وَسَعَىٰ لَهَا سَعْيَهَا وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَأُولَٰئِكَ كَانَ سَعْيُهُم مَّشْكُورًا (الاسراء:19)
Translation: And whoever desires the Hereafter and strives for it with the necessary effort, and is a believer, it is those whose efforts will be appreciated.
Another verse encourages us to send ahead good deeds for the Hereafter. Allah says:
وَمَا تُقَدِّمُوا لِأَنفُسِكُم مِّنْ خَيْرٍ تَجِدُوهُ عِندَ اللَّهِ هُوَ خَيْرًا وَأَعْظَمَ أَجْرًا (المزمل:20)
Translation: And whatever good you send ahead for yourselves, you will find it with Allah, better and greater in reward.
From this verse, we learn that we should not hesitate to spend and make sacrifices for the Hereafter. We should continuously do good deeds with the hope of receiving a greater reward in the Hereafter.
Now, to address a concerning aspect, the essence of our religion and its core purpose is the preparation for the Hereafter and attaining success through it. However, it is saddening to note that the majority of Muslims today are heedless of the Hereafter. Sometimes it feels as though even Muslims have become indifferent to the resurrection, meeting with Allah, and the reckoning after death. Allah has pointed out this heedlessness of people in His book:
اقْتَرَبَ لِلنَّاسِ حِسَابُهُمْ وَهُمْ فِي غَفْلَةٍ مُّعْرِضُونَ (الانبیاء:1)
Translation: The time for people’s reckoning has drawn near, yet they are heedless and turning away.
In light of all the aforementioned points, we need to firmly believe in the Hereafter and cultivate a concern for it. This is where the difference lies between us and the disbelievers. They consider this world to be their permanent residence, while for us, the Hereafter is our true home. Thus, I would like to highlight a few key points that will help foster concern for the Hereafter, Insha’Allah.
1. The key to developing concern for the Hereafter lies in the constant awareness that Allah is watching us. Allah is fully aware of all our actions, and nothing can be hidden from Him. Allah says:
أَلَمْ يَعْلَمْ بِأَنَّ اللَّهَ يَرَى (العلق:14)
Translation: Does he not know that Allah is seeing him?
Living with this awareness will help the believer guard his faith, stay committed to good deeds, and avoid evil, thus constantly working toward the preparation for the Hereafter.
2. The one who adopts Taqwa (God-consciousness) is always concerned about the Hereafter, which is why Allah commands us to take Taqwa as our provision for the journey ahead. Allah says:
وَتَزَوَّدُوا فَإِنَّ خَيْرَ الزَّادِ التَّقْوَىٰ (البقرۃ:197)
Translation: And take provisions for yourselves, but indeed, the best provision is Taqwa (fear of Allah).
The definition of Taqwa is: “Taqwa is the fear of the Mighty, acting according to the revealed scripture, being content with little, and preparing for the Day of departure (death).”
Today, many people have become heedless of Allah and His commands, and as a result, they neglect preparing for the Hereafter. However, those who fear Allah will naturally develop concern for the Hereafter and make the necessary preparations for it.
(3) Frequently remembering death is a great way to develop the concern for the Hereafter. Death marks the end of worldly life, after which the journey to the Hereafter begins. This is why the Prophet ﷺ instructed us to remember death often. His ﷺ saying is:
أَكثروا ذِكرَ هاذمِ اللَّذَّات يعني الموتَ (صحيح الترمذي:2307)
Translation: “Remember often the destroyer of pleasures, meaning death.”
The purpose of this saying is to detach ourselves from the temporary pleasures and desires of this world, connect with Allah, and prepare for the life after death by remembering it frequently. It is said by many of the predecessors that death itself is sufficient for admonition. While Allah has given terrible death to many tyrants, the death of Pharaoh, in particular, stands as a lesson for all.
(4) Visiting graves is also an important means of developing concern for the Hereafter. A reminder comes instantly from the death of others, and visiting graves periodically is also recommended to instill fear of Allah, soften the heart, and remind oneself of the Hereafter. The Prophet ﷺ said:
كنتُ نهيتُكم عن زيارَةِ القبورِ ألا فزورُوها ، فإِنَّها تُرِقُّ القلْبَ ، و تُدْمِعُ العينَ ، وتُذَكِّرُ الآخرةَ ، ولا تقولوا هُجْرًا (صحيح الجامع:4584)
Translation: “I had previously prohibited you from visiting graves, but now visit them, for they soften the heart, cause the eyes to weep, remind of the Hereafter, and do not speak foolish words.”
Reflect on the state of Uthman رضي الله عنه when he visited graves; he would weep so much that his beard would get wet. When asked why he wept over graves and not over the mention of Jannah and Jahannam, he replied:
إنَّ القبرَ أوَّلُ مَنازلِ الآخرةِ ، فإن نجا منهُ ، فما بعدَهُ أيسرُ منهُ ، وإن لم يَنجُ منهُ ، فما بعدَهُ أشدُّ منهُ قالَ : وقالَ رسولُ اللَّهِ صلَّى اللَّهُ علَيهِ وسلَّمَ : ما رأيتُ مَنظرًا قطُّ إلَّا والقَبرُ أفظَعُ منهُ (صحيح ابن ماجه:3461)
Translation: “The grave is the first station of the Hereafter; if one is saved from it, then the stages after it will be easier, but if one is not saved from it, the stages after it will be more severe. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: ‘I have never seen any sight more dreadful than the grave.'”
The grave and graveyard are terrifying places, where we find the graves of friends, relatives, and loved ones with whom we have shared the most precious moments of life. Does their separation not cause grief? And should it not make us think of our own eventual departure?
(5) Reflecting on the terrifying stages and dreadful scenes after death is also essential. These lessons can be revisited through books and the speeches of scholars, helping keep the reminder of the Hereafter alive in the heart. The hardship of death, the torment of the grave, the terror of the Day of Judgment, the state of the people in distress, the severity of reckoning, the truth of the Sirat, the hunger and thirst of the people of Hell, and the intense punishments they face—when a believer reflects on these, it should stir them to strive to avoid such difficulties and seek safety from them in the Hereafter.
(6) The greatest obstacle to preparing for the Hereafter is the love of the world or the pursuit of worldly desires. The reality is that the wider and more luxurious a person’s world, the less religious commitment they tend to have. The smaller the world a person lives in, the more focused they are on their faith. We could say that whoever prioritizes this world over their faith has forgotten the Hereafter. Allah addresses this truth in the Quran:
بَلْ تُؤْثِرُونَ الْحَيَاةَ الدُّنْيَاوَالْآخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَىٰ (الاعلی:16-17)
Translation: “But you prefer the worldly life, while the Hereafter is better and more lasting.”
It is astonishing that we, while preferring the fleeting pleasures of this world, overlook the eternal life of the Hereafter and its everlasting comfort. Allah does not even regard this world as significant, as evidenced in the saying:
لو كانتِ الدُّنيا تعدلُ عندَ اللهِ جناحَ بعوضةٍ ما سقى كافرًا منها شربةَ ماءٍ (صحيح الترمذي:2320)
Translation: “If this world were worth even the wing of a mosquito in the sight of Allah, He would not give a disbeliever even a sip of water from it.”
(7) Another major hindrance to the preparation for the Hereafter is the hardness of the heart and the impurity of sin and disobedience. If we purify our souls and cleanse our hearts from sin and immoral traits, we will be able to derive lessons from all things. Otherwise, the hardness of the heart will prevent us from reflecting, leading to neglect of duties and commission of sinful acts. Allah has stated that only those who purify their souls will be successful, as He says:
قد افلح من تزكى
Translation: “Indeed, he who purifies himself has succeeded.”
(8) We should live in this world as though we are travelers. This will help remove the desire to stay longer or live luxuriously in this world. Instead, the heart will be filled with the remembrance of Allah and concern for the Hereafter. The reality is that everyone in this world is a traveler on their way to the Hereafter. Those who understand this truth consider themselves travelers and prepare for the journey. Just as a traveler keeps their belongings ready for departure, an individual preparing for the Hereafter should keep their faith, deeds, and beliefs in readiness, never knowing when death may come. The Prophet ﷺ said:
كُن في الدُّنيا كأنَّكَ غَريبٌ أو عابرُ سبيلٍ وعدَّ نفسَكَ في أَهْلِ القبورِ (صحيح الترمذي:2333)
Translation: “Be in this world as if you are a stranger or a traveler, and count yourself among the people of the graves.”
Ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما said: “When you wake up in the morning, do not expect to live until the evening, and when you reach the evening, do not expect to live until the morning. Take advantage of your health before sickness and of your life before death, for you do not know what will happen tomorrow.” This teaches us to live with a sense of urgency regarding our preparation for the Hereafter, considering life and death beyond mere time.
(9) Reading the Quran with reflection and contemplation is another means of nurturing concern for the Hereafter. The Quran is the source of guidance and success in both this world and the Hereafter. When read with understanding, it increases faith and encourages righteous actions, while also cultivating the fear of Allah, purifying intentions, and sparking concern about avoiding Hell. Both these qualities arise from the Quran’s warnings and glad tidings. When a believer reads about the rewards of Heaven and the hardships of Hell, they feel the desire to attain Paradise and the fear of avoiding Hell. Therefore, we must continue to read the Quran with understanding so that our love for Paradise and fear of Hell remain strong.
(10) Finally, always remember that we are Muslims, and this identity must be preserved until death. The purpose of creation for a Muslim should remain devotion to Allah, worshiping Him sincerely and according to the Sunnah until death comes. Allah has commanded us:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِ وَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنتُم مُّسْلِمُونَ (ِآل عمران:102)
Translation: “O you who have believed, fear Allah as He should be feared and do not die except as Muslims.”
And the command of the Lord of the worlds:
وَاعْبُدْ رَبَّكَ حَتَّىٰ يَأْتِيَكَ الْيَقِينُ (الحجر:99)
Translation: “And worship your Lord until there comes to you the certainty (i.e., death).”
These are just a few points that will help nurture concern for the Hereafter. There are many other factors that can encourage this concern, such as acts that soften the heart and instill fear, as well as the comforts of the Hereafter itself. May Allah instill in us the concern for the Hereafter so that we may prepare for it as it should be and achieve salvation in the Hereafter.
Maqbool Ahmad Salafi
Islamic Da’wah Center, Masrah Ta’if