Understanding the Reality of This World vs. the Hereafter

The Reality of the World and the Concern for the Hereafter

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✺ Introductory Words:

Respected attendees of Jumu’ah, religious brothers, elders, beloved youth, and dear children!

Allah Almighty, through the Holy Qur’an, and the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, through numerous sayings and incidents, has advised us to understand the matter of this world and the Hereafter well. We must comprehend the reality of this world and also understand the reality of the Hereafter. We need to recognize the connection between the world and the Hereafter, their differences, the duration of the world, our lifespan in it, and the eternal duration of the Hereafter.

Allah Almighty has explained these matters in simple terms through various examples and occasions, making it accessible for everyone, whether educated or unlettered, to grasp the reality of this world and live life accordingly.

✺ The Ephemeral Nature of the World in the Light of the Qur’an and Sunnah:

❍ Allah Almighty states:

“And the life of this world is nothing but play and amusement. But far better is the house in the Hereafter for those who are Al-Muttaqun (the pious – see V. 2:2). Will you not then understand?”

(Surah Al-An’am: 32)

❍ And He also says:

“And this life of the world is only for amusement and play! Verily, the home of the Hereafter, that is the life indeed (i.e. the eternal life that will never end), if they but knew.”

(Surah Al-Ankabut: 64)

❍ Elsewhere, Allah describes the reality of the world through an analogy:

“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.”

(Surah Al-Hadid: 20)

❍ The Prophet ﷺ explained the matter of the Hereafter with a profound example:

“By Allah, this world (is so insigni- ficant in comparison) to the Hereafter that if one of you should dip his finger- (and wnile saying this Yahyg pointed with his forefinger) -in the ocean and then he should see as to what has stuck to it.”

(Sahih Muslim: 2858)

This signifies that the Hereafter is akin to dipping one’s finger into the sea and then removing it. The water that clings to the finger is the world, while the vast ocean represents the Hereafter.

✺ Neglecting the Hereafter and Understanding the Reality of the World:

However, only a few ponder over the reality of the Hereafter and reflect on what it truly signifies compared to this world. This negligence has led us to ruin our societies and lifestyles. Our focus revolves around worldly pleasures, comforts, and progress, while heedlessness towards the Hereafter continues to grow.

We see only the world before us. Generally, this is our state—except for those whom your Lord has shown mercy. Few people contemplate the reality of the Hereafter, the Shari’ah, and the truth, wondering what the Hereafter and the world actually are.

❍ The Prophet ﷺ said:

“The example of this world compared to the Hereafter is like someone who dips his finger into the sea and then removes it. The water that remains on his finger is the world, and the rest of the sea is the Hereafter.”

(Sahih Muslim: 2858)

This demonstrates that the age of the world or the time spent in it is exceedingly short and transient. The Hereafter, in contrast, is an eternal life that will never end—a boundless existence with no limitations.

✺ Examples of Death’s Reality and the World’s Ephemerality:

We observe how many companions, brothers, young and old, among our loved ones, fall ill. They say, “We have never taken medicine until now,” but then succumb to such illnesses that they leave this worldly life. Many active and healthy individuals fall prey to death’s grip, from which they cannot escape.

We see countless such examples every day. How many elderly endure the hardships of old age? How many children fail to even reach the threshold of youth?

This is the world and its transient nature!

✺ The Best Believer and the Wisest Person:

❍ It is narrated in a hadith that Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar (رضي الله عنه) reported:

While I was in the company of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, a man from the Ansar came and greeted the Prophet ﷺ. Then he asked:

“O Messenger of Allah, who among the believers is the best?”

We are all believers and Muslims, but have we ever thought to ask who is the best and most excellent believer? The Prophet ﷺ replied:

“The one with the best character.”

Then he asked:

“And who among the believers is the wisest?”

The Prophet ﷺ replied:

“The one who remembers death the most and is best prepared for what comes after it. They are the wise ones.”

[Sunan Ibn Majah: 4259, graded Hasan by al-Albani]

In contrast, in our societies, a wise person is often considered someone who deceives others. However, that is not true wisdom. Even in the world, such a person is not regarded as intelligent.

✺ The Criterion of Wisdom: Importance of Good Character and Preparation for the Hereafter:

Do we ever think that our character should be elevated? This concern is a sign of a good believer. In our social circles, markets, families, and friends, do we consider whether we have good morals through Allah’s grace? And do we ask Allah for the ability to have good character? Each of us should reflect on this, as it is a reminder for us.

We often perceive wise individuals as those with wealth, meticulous planning, worldly advancements, or high positions. However, according to the Prophet ﷺ, true wisdom lies in focusing on the Hereafter and preparing for it.

❍ The Prophet ﷺ said elsewhere:

“The clever person ids the one who subjugates his soul, and works for what is after death. And the incapable is the one who follows his desires and merely hopes in Allah.”

[Sunan al-Tirmidhi: 2459, Ibn Majah: 4260, Musnad Ahmad: 17123, graded Hasan by al-Albani]

✺ Investment for the Hereafter and Sayyiduna Uthman’s Zeal (رضي الله عنه):

Brothers in faith! Possessing worldly wealth and using it in lawful ways is indeed a great blessing. Consider how the companions of the Prophet ﷺ used their resources for the service of Islam, and the Prophet ﷺ gave them glad tidings of Paradise for spending in Allah’s cause.

❍ For instance, Sayyiduna Uthman (رضي الله عنه) purchased the well of Rumah from a Jew at a hefty price and donated it for public use, earning Paradise in return.

[Sunan al-Tirmidhi: 3703, graded Hasan by al-Albani]

Likewise, during the Battle of Tabuk, Uthman (رضي الله عنه) donated one thousand gold coins. The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Nothing will harm Uthman after today, no matter what he does.”

[Sunan al-Tirmidhi: 3701, graded Hasan by al-Albani]

✺ The Difference Between Spending for the World and the Hereafter:

Reflect on how much effort we put into worldly matters. We spend tirelessly on our homes, children, healthcare, and celebrations—expenses tied to this world. But when it comes to spending for the Hereafter, such as contributing to mosque construction, aiding the needy, or supporting religious causes—the most virtuous deeds—we tend to be less attentive.

❍ Allah says:

“And whatever good you send forth for yourselves, you will find it with Allah.”

[Surah Al-Baqarah: 110]

This is true wisdom: preparing for the Hereafter, as it is the ultimate success.

✺ A Hereafter-Oriented Perspective in Worldly Matters:

Honorable audience! Have we ever thought about how much we spend, from morning till night, throughout the day and night, in the path of Allah, for the Hereafter that will benefit us tomorrow? We think little about this.

I am not saying we don’t think at all or spend nothing. If that were the case, how would the system function? How would the poor be helped? How would the sick be cared for or treated? How would such grand mosques, so many educational institutions, and numerous issues be resolved? Allah provides ways, grants people the ability, and inspires hearts.

People spend for many reasons, but the primary reason should be spending for the Hereafter, with the intention that this expenditure will benefit them in the Hereafter.

✺ The Virtue of Charity and the Promise of Reward in the Hereafter:

❍ Allah Almighty says:

“The likeness of those who spend their wealth in the Way of Allah, is as the likeness of a grain (of corn); it grows seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains. Allah gives a manifold increase to whom He pleases. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures’ needs, All-Knower.”

(Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:261)

✺ The Importance of Charity in the Thinking of the Pious Predecessors:

❍ It is famously narrated about the great Tabi’i (successor of the Companions) and the jurist of Egypt, Marthad ibn Abdullah Mazani (may Allah have mercy on him) that he had a unique habit. I often mention this story, hoping it benefits both myself and the listeners who wish to benefit.

His practice was to always carry something in his pocket whenever he went to the mosque, intending to give charity. Imagine his mindset! He would ensure he spent something every time he went to the mosque, based on whatever Allah had enabled him to give.

One day, finding nothing, he placed an onion in his pocket, intending to give it to charity. His nephew, surprised, asked why he did so. He replied, “I heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) say:

‘The believer’s shade on the Day of Resurrection will be his charity.’”

(Sources: Musnad Ahmad: 23490, Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah: 2431, 2432, Sahih Ibn Hibban: 3310; graded Hasan Sahih by Albani)

A wise believer, even while giving something small, does so with the thought that this act will benefit them in the Hereafter.

✺ Two Basic Reasons Behind Spending Wealth:

Who can spend with such care? Certainly, only someone concerned about the Hereafter.

Alternatively, people may spend to show off, motivated by worldly recognition. For instance, if I request you to donate, you might give; later, if you ask me, I’d feel obligated to reciprocate. This is mere worldliness!

✺ The Importance of Maintaining Ties and Its Reward in the Hereafter:

❍ The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should maintain the ties of kinship.”

(Sahih Bukhari: 6138)

❍ He also said:

 “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, should serve his guest generously; and whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, should unite the bond of kinship (i.e. keep good relation with his kith and kin)”

(Sahih Bukhari: 2067; Sahih Muslim: 2557)

❍ Allah Almighty commands:

“Worship Allah and join none with Him in worship, and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, Al-Masakin (the poor), the neighbour who is near of kin, the neighbour who is a stranger, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (you meet), and those (slaves) whom your right hands possess. Verily, Allah does not like such as are proud and boastful”

(Surah An-Nisa, 4:36)

Maintaining kinship means strengthening, preserving, and nurturing relationships. Do not ruin or sever them.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) advised:

“O people! Spread (the greeting of) Salam, feed others, uphold the ties of kinship, and pray during the night when people are sleeping, and you will enter Paradise with Salam.”

(Sunan Ibn Majah: 3251, authenticated by Albani)

Clearly, those who strengthen ties will be granted Paradise in peace. Maintaining relationships is a challenging task, especially when relatives behave poorly. Despite this, continuing good treatment is a significant test.

✺ True Kinship is Rooted in Concern for the Hereafter:

❍ The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“The one who maintains kinship is not the one who reciprocates, but the one who continues to connect even when ties are severed.”

(Sahih Bukhari: 5991)

Maintaining kinship is not about mutual goodwill; even strangers reciprocate kindness. True kinship involves behaving well despite poor treatment, driven by the hope of reward in the Hereafter.

✺ The Hereafter-Oriented Perspective as the Criterion for Actions:

❍ Allah says:

“And perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), and give Zakat, and whatever of good (deeds that Allah loves) you send forth for yourselves before you, you shall find it with Allah.”

(Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:110)

The Prophet (peace be upon him) described the wisest believer as one who prepares for and remains concerned about the Hereafter.

✺ Prioritizing the Hereafter Amidst Worldly Engagements:

Reflect on the countless worldly engagements and issues we face. How much time do we allocate for prayer, charity, kinship, caring for the needy, supporting scholars and students, or contributing to religious missions? And how often do we do so with the intention of benefiting in the Hereafter?

✺ Reasons Behind Religious Financial Shortcomings Despite Worldly Abundance:

Despite increasing wealth, why do financial difficulties persist in religious matters? Weddings and social standards remain intact, often competing to outdo others, but spending on Allah’s religion faces economic excuses.

✺ Worldliness and Neglect of the Hereafter Indicate Foolishness:

A person focused solely on worldly matters is considered foolish by Allah. The Prophet (peace be upon him) emphasized that the wisest believer is one who prepares for the Hereafter.

✺ Balancing Worldly and Hereafter Priorities:

This doesn’t mean abandoning worldly affairs entirely. Instead, maintain balance, knowing that this world is temporary and serves as preparation for the Hereafter, where the results of our actions will be revealed.

✺ The Concept of the World’s Insignificance and the Eternity of the Hereafter:

❍ The Prophet of Allah ﷺ used to explain this concept to his companions. He ﷺ said:

“This world is as insignificant to you as a goat’s offspring, or even more insignificant than that.”

In other words, keep in mind that whether a person is a billionaire or a poor man struggling to make ends meet, both should understand that this worldly life will eventually pass. This world will soon come to an end because its duration is very short, and after it, the Day of Judgment will arrive, which is eternal and everlasting.

✺ The Attitude of a Believer Amidst Worldly Hardships and Comforts:

When a believer lives with this awareness, worldly difficulties do not bother him. He endures them with patience, and if he attains comforts, he uses them appropriately. There are countless comforts in this world, but in comparison to the Hereafter, they hold no value.

✺ Even a Small Place in Paradise is Better Than the Entire World:

Even if a believer is a billionaire, he should remain conscious of the fact that all the wealth and comforts of this world are insignificant compared to Paradise. Why? Because even with billions, how much comfort can one truly enjoy in this world? No matter how much honor, prestige, or luxurious living one attains, it holds no weight compared to the eternal blessings of the Hereafter.

❍ A Hadith states that the Prophet of Allah ﷺ said:

“A single endeavor (of fighting) in Allah’s Cause in the forenoon or in the afternoon is better than the world and whatever is in it.”

(Sahih al-Bukhari: 2792, Sahih Muslim: 1881)

This means that even a small place in Paradise surpasses all the wealth and comforts of this world. Hence, wisdom dictates that along with worldly pursuits, one should prioritize preparing for the Hereafter.

✺ The Limits of Permissible Greed and Strengthening Faith in Religion:

A person can be greedy for worldly gains, but that greed should be permissible, confined within the boundaries of Shariah. If one’s greed and desires are solely confined to the world, with no concern for the Hereafter, it indicates a weakness in faith. Such a person essentially lacks true belief in the religion brought by Allah, which is based on truth. It reflects a lack of trust in the words of Allah and His Messenger ﷺ.

❍ The Prophet of Allah ﷺ said:

“The place of a whip in Paradise is better than this world and all that is in it.”

✺ Belief in the Hereafter and Liberation from Worldly Deception:

A believer does not look longingly at a non-Muslim, a government, a wealthy individual, or someone living a luxurious life. He does not lose his way out of greed. Why? Because he knows that true success lies in the Hereafter. He believes that whatever sustenance Allah has decreed for him, he will receive it.

If someone else receives more, he does not become restless, envious, or jealous. He understands that Allah has written more for his brother and less for him. This is Allah’s wisdom and purpose, known only to Him. Allah tests some by giving more and others by giving less.

A person with firm belief that the world is merely a place of trial remains content with whatever Allah has provided, but his focus always remains on the Hereafter.

✺ The Advice to Live Like a Traveler in This World:

The Prophet of Allah ﷺ would explain this to his companions with great love and wisdom. One day, Abdullah ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما narrated that the Prophet ﷺ placed his hand on his shoulder.

Reflect for a moment—when we place our hand on a friend’s shoulder while talking, it creates a sense of closeness, affection, and familiarity. It feels like someone is speaking to us as one of our own.

This was also the way of the Prophet ﷺ.

❍ Abdullah ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما said: The Prophet ﷺ placed his hand on my shoulder and said: “Be in this world as if you were a stranger or a traveler.”

(Sahih al-Bukhari: 6416)

A traveler, when on a journey, does not make grand plans or big arrangements. He knows that his journey is temporary, and his real destination is his home and family. The Prophet ﷺ likened the reality of this world to a journey. A journey is brief, and one constantly yearns to return to their loved ones and true home. The Prophet ﷺ explained that the Hereafter is the true home, and this world is merely a temporary journey.

❍ He ﷺ said:

“Be in this world as if you were a stranger or a traveler.”

(Sahih al-Bukhari: 6416)

In a journey, does it matter whether you recognize someone or not? Because the journey will soon end. Similarly, the world, no matter how long it lasts, cannot change its temporary nature.

The duration of the world, no matter how long, is like a brief stopover for a traveler. Just as we might go 100 kilometers away for a day and return, that is the example of this world. It will end, and the Hereafter will remain forever.

If a believer’s conviction in the Hereafter being the ultimate success is weak, then violations of rights, playing with others’ dignity, deceiving others, and blackmailing will never cease. Until one firmly believes that they will have to account before Allah tomorrow, they will remain trapped in worldly deceptions.

✺ The Reality of Death and the Transience of Life:

❍ Similarly, Abdullah ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما, the son of Umar ibn al-Khattab رضي الله عنه, used to advise people by saying:

“If you survive till the evening, do not expect to be alive in the morning, and if you survive till the morning, do not expect to be alive in the evening, and take from your health for your sickness, and (take) from your life for your death.”

(Sahih al-Bukhari: 6416)

Think about it—what does your experience tell you? Can anyone among us claim with certainty that we will live until evening? We do not know if we will see the night. Death comes suddenly, and this is a fact known to all of us. Abdullah ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما’s advice should always be remembered: “When morning comes, do not count on the evening, and if evening comes, do not count on the morning.”

My brothers, this world is temporary, but the Hereafter will remain forever.

✺ Summary of the Discourse:

The purpose of this sermon is to remind us to maintain a lawful relationship with the world, to have permissible desires, and to use all the lawful means that Allah has provided. Allah has given us freedom in worldly matters, but that freedom should not blind us to the Hereafter. Do not prioritize the world over the Hereafter.

✺ Concern for Eternal Life and True Wisdom:

❍ We pray to Allah:

“Our Lord! Give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the torment of the Fire!”

(Surah al-Baqarah: 201)

We should always pray to Allah that our success is not limited to this world but that the success of the Hereafter is our ultimate goal. We should continue to seek salvation in the Hereafter from Allah and strive to be wise in His sight. May our morals be good and our wisdom valued by Allah.

True wisdom lies not in seeking short-term benefits at the cost of eternal life.

✺ Supplicatory Words:

May Allah grant us a correct understanding of religion and embed in our hearts the true reality of this world and the Hereafter as explained in the Quran and Sunnah. Ameen.

Wa aakhiru da’wana anil hamdu lillahi rabbil ‘aalameen.

Author: IslamicHelper