Life of the world

زُيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ حُبُّ ٱلشَّهَوَٰتِ مِنَ ٱلنِّسَآءِ وَٱلۡبَنِينَ وَٱلۡقَنَٰطِيرِ ٱلۡمُقَنطَرَةِ مِنَ ٱلذَّهَبِ وَٱلۡفِضَّةِ وَٱلۡخَيۡلِ ٱلۡمُسَوَّمَةِ وَٱلۡأَنۡعَٰمِ وَٱلۡحَرۡثِۗ ذَٰلِكَ مَتَٰعُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَاۖ وَٱللَّهُ عِندَهُۥ حُسۡنُ ٱلۡمَ‍َٔابِ ١٤

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 with Him.

Surah 3 Al-Imran Verse 14

• Allah mentions the delights that he puts in this life for people, such as women and children, and He started with women, because the test with them is more tempting. For instance, the Sahih recorded that the Prophet (pbuh) said: ‘I did not leave behind me a test more tempting to men than women’
• The desire to have children is sometimes for the purpose of pride and boasting, and as such, is a temptation.
• The desire to have wealth and horses sometimes result out of arrogance, and the desire to dominate the weak and control the poor, and this conduct is prohibited.
• All the above things are, however, encouraged and praised when sought for the pleasure of Allah or for protecting oneself from sins, as in:

• Enjoying women for the purpose of having children and preserving his chastity
• To have children to increase the Ummah of Muhammad (pbuh) with those who worship Allah alone without partners
• Money for the purpose of spending in acts of worship, being kind to family and relatives and spending on various acts of righteousness and obedience.
• Horses to be used in the cause of Allah, and when warranted to be used in battle

كُلُّ نَفۡسٖ ذَآئِقَةُ ٱلۡمَوۡتِۗ وَإِنَّمَا تُوَفَّوۡنَ أُجُورَكُمۡ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِۖ فَمَن زُحۡزِحَ عَنِ ٱلنَّارِ وَأُدۡخِلَ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ فَقَدۡ فَازَۗ وَمَا ٱلۡحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنۡيَآ إِلَّا مَتَٰعُ ٱلۡغُرُورِ ١٨٥

Everyone shall taste death. And only on the Day of Resurrection shall you be paid your wages in full. And whosoever is removed away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise, he indeed is successful. The life of this world is only the enjoyment of deception.

Surah 3 Al-Imran Verse 185

• The fact that a person is outstandingly successful in life does not necessarily prove that he is either on the right path or is the recipient of any special favour from Allah. Similarly, even if a person is surrounded by trials and hardships, it does not prove that he has either strayed from the right way or is out of favour with Allah. The earthly results of a man’s actions are often quite different from the ones he will see in the Next Life. What is of true importance is what will happen in that eternal life than in this transient one

وَقَالُوٓاْ إِنۡ هِيَ إِلَّا حَيَاتُنَا ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَمَا نَحۡنُ بِمَبۡعُوثِينَ ٢٩ وَلَوۡ تَرَىٰٓ إِذۡ وُقِفُواْ عَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمۡۚ قَالَ أَلَيۡسَ هَٰذَا بِٱلۡحَقِّۚ قَالُواْ بَلَىٰ وَرَبِّنَاۚ قَالَ فَذُوقُواْ ٱلۡعَذَابَ بِمَا كُنتُمۡ تَكۡفُرُونَ ٣٠

And they (the disbelievers) said: “There is no (other life) but our (present) life of this world, and never shall we be resurrected (on the Day of Resurrection)”. If you could but see when they will be held (brought and made to stand) in front of their Lord! He will say: “Is not this (Resurrection and the taking of the accounts) the truth?” They will say: “Yes, by our Lord!” He will then say: “So taste you the torment because you used not to believe”.

Surah 6 Al-Anam Verses 29-30

وَمَا ٱلۡحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنۡيَآ إِلَّا لَعِبٞ وَلَهۡوٞۖ وَلَلدَّارُ ٱلۡأٓخِرَةُ خَيۡرٞ لِّلَّذِينَ يَتَّقُونَۚ أَفَلَا تَعۡقِلُونَ ٣٢

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. Will you not then understand?

Surah 6 Al-An’am Verse 32

• This does not mean that earthly life has nothing serious about it and that it has been brought into being merely as a sport and pastime. Since ultimate reality is hidden in this world, people indulge in a variety of actions which are so blatantly opposed to reality that their life seems to consist merely of play and amusement. One who assumes the position of king in this world, for instance, is no different from the person who plays the part of a king on the stage of a theatre. His head is bedecked with a crown and he goes about commanding people as if he were a king, even though he has no royal authority. He may later, if the director of the theatre wishes, be dismissed from his royal office, put into prison or even be sentenced to death. Plays of this kind go on all over the world. Saints and man-made deities, people who try to unravel the unseen, those who claim to provide sustenance to others, others who think they have the power to bestow honour and dignity – such go about trumpeting their own glory while their own foreheads bear the stamp of their humble bondage to their Creator. By just one twist of fortune such people may fall off their pedestal and be trampled under the feet of those upon whom they have been imposing their God-like authority. All these plays come to an end with death. As soon as man crosses the boundaries of this world and steps into the Next, the reality will fully manifest, all the misconceptions that he has entertained will be peeled away, and he will be shown the true worth of his beliefs and actions.
• Earthly life has been compared to play and amusement for another reason. Compared to the true and abiding life of the Hereafter, earthly life seems, as it were, a sport, a transient pastime with which to amuse oneself before turning to serious business.

وَذَرِ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّخَذُواْ دِينَهُمۡ لَعِبٗا وَلَهۡوٗا وَغَرَّتۡهُمُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنۡيَاۚ وَذَكِّرۡ بِهِۦٓ أَن تُبۡسَلَ نَفۡسُۢ بِمَا كَسَبَتۡ لَيۡسَ لَهَا مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَلِيّٞ وَلَا شَفِيعٞ وَإِن تَعۡدِلۡ كُلَّ عَدۡلٖ لَّا يُؤۡخَذۡ مِنۡهَآۗ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُبۡسِلُواْ بِمَا كَسَبُواْۖ لَهُمۡ شَرَابٞ مِّنۡ حَمِيمٖ وَعَذَابٌ أَلِيمُۢ بِمَا كَانُواْ يَكۡفُرُونَ ٧٠

And leave alone those who take their religion as play and amusement, and whom the life of this world has deceived. But remind (them) with it (the Quran) lest a person be given up to destruction for that which he has earned, when he will find for himself no protector or intercessor besides Allah, and even if he offers every ransom, it will not be accepted from him. Such are they who are given up to destruction because of that which they have earned. For them will be a drink of boiling water and a painful torment because they used to disbelieve.

Surah 6 Al-An’am Verse 70

يَٰمَعۡشَرَ ٱلۡجِنِّ وَٱلۡإِنسِ أَلَمۡ يَأۡتِكُمۡ رُسُلٞ مِّنكُمۡ يَقُصُّونَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ ءَايَٰتِي وَيُنذِرُونَكُمۡ لِقَآءَ يَوۡمِكُمۡ هَٰذَاۚ قَالُواْ شَهِدۡنَا عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِنَاۖ وَغَرَّتۡهُمُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَشَهِدُواْ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمۡ أَنَّهُمۡ كَانُواْ كَٰفِرِينَ ١٣٠

O you assembly of jinns and mankind! “Did not there come to you Messengers from amongst you, reciting unto you My Verses and warning you of the meeting of this Day of yours?” They will say: “We bear witness against ourselves”. It was the life of this world that deceived them. And they will bear witness against themselves that they were disbelievers.

Surah 6 Al-Anam Verse 130

ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّخَذُواْ دِينَهُمۡ لَهۡوٗا وَلَعِبٗا وَغَرَّتۡهُمُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنۡيَاۚ فَٱلۡيَوۡمَ نَنسَىٰهُمۡ كَمَا نَسُواْ لِقَآءَ يَوۡمِهِمۡ هَٰذَا وَمَا كَانُواْ بِ‍َٔايَٰتِنَا يَجۡحَدُونَ ٥١

‘Who took their religion as an amusement and play and the life of the world deceived them’. So, this Day We shall forget them as they forgot their Meeting of this Day, and as they used to reject Our Ayat.

Surah 7 Al-A’raf Verse 51

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لَا تَخُونُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلرَّسُولَ وَتَخُونُوٓاْ أَمَٰنَٰتِكُمۡ وَأَنتُمۡ تَعۡلَمُونَ ٢٧ وَٱعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّمَآ أَمۡوَٰلُكُمۡ وَأَوۡلَٰدُكُمۡ فِتۡنَةٞ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ عِندَهُۥٓ أَجۡرٌ عَظِيمٞ ٢٨

O you who believe! Betray not Allah and His Messenger (pbuh), nor betray knowingly your Amanat. And know that your possessions and your children are but a trial and that surely with Allah is a mighty reward.

Surah 8 Al-Anfa’l Verses 27-28

• Amanah refers to the actions that Allah has entrusted the servants with, such as and including what He ordained
• ‘trial’ – Allah grants possession and children to you so that He knows which of you will be grateful and obedient to Him, or become busy with and dedicated to them instead of Him.
• Narrated Hudayfah that the Prophet (pbuh) said: ‘Certainly Al-Amanah descended from the heavens and settled in the roots of hearts of men (faithful believers), and then the Quran was revealed and the people read the Quran (and learnt Al-Amanah from it), and also learnt it from Sunnah’

قُلۡ إِن كَانَ ءَابَآؤُكُمۡ وَأَبۡنَآؤُكُمۡ وَإِخۡوَٰنُكُمۡ وَأَزۡوَٰجُكُمۡ وَعَشِيرَتُكُمۡ وَأَمۡوَٰلٌ ٱقۡتَرَفۡتُمُوهَا وَتِجَٰرَةٞ تَخۡشَوۡنَ كَسَادَهَا وَمَسَٰكِنُ تَرۡضَوۡنَهَآ أَحَبَّ إِلَيۡكُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ وَجِهَادٖ فِي سَبِيلِهِۦ فَتَرَبَّصُواْ حَتَّىٰ يَأۡتِيَ ٱللَّهُ بِأَمۡرِهِۦۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهۡدِي ٱلۡقَوۡمَ ٱلۡفَٰسِقِينَ ٢٤

Say (O Muhammad, pbuh): If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your kindred, the wealth that you have gained, the commerce in which you fear a decline and the dwellings in which you delight, are dearer to you than Allah and His Messenger (pbuh), and striving hard and fighting in His Cause, then wait until Allah brings about His Decision (torment). And Allah guides not the people who are Al-Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient).

Surah 9 At-Taubah Verse 24

فَلَا تُعۡجِبۡكَ أَمۡوَٰلُهُمۡ وَلَآ أَوۡلَٰدُهُمۡۚ إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ لِيُعَذِّبَهُم بِهَا فِي ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَتَزۡهَقَ أَنفُسُهُمۡ وَهُمۡ كَٰفِرُونَ ٥٥

So let not their wealth nor their children amaze you (O Muhammad, pbuh); in reality Allah’s Plan is to punish them with these things in the life of this world, and that their souls shall depart while they are disbelievers.

Surah 9 At-Taubah Verse 55

• Here the real cause of hypocrisy has been pin pointed – excessive love for their off springs and worldly possessions.

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَرۡجُونَ لِقَآءَنَا وَرَضُواْ بِٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَٱطۡمَأَنُّواْ بِهَا وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ عَنۡ ءَايَٰتِنَا غَٰفِلُونَ ٧ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ مَأۡوَىٰهُمُ ٱلنَّارُ بِمَا كَانُواْ يَكۡسِبُونَ ٨

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. Those, their abode will be the Fire, because of what they used to earn.

Surah 10 Yunus Verses 7-8

• Al Hasan said “They adorned it and praised it until they were well pleased with it. Whereas they were heedless of Allah’s signs in the universe, they did not contemplate them. They were also heedless of Allah’s Laws, for they did not abide by them. Their abode on the Day of Return is a Fire, a reward for what they have earned in their worldly life from among their sins and crimes. That is beside their disbelief in Allah, His Messenger and the Last Day”

ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَكَانُواْ يَتَّقُونَ ٦٣ لَهُمُ ٱلۡبُشۡرَىٰ فِي ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَفِي ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِۚ لَا تَبۡدِيلَ لِكَلِمَٰتِ ٱللَّهِۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلۡفَوۡزُ ٱلۡعَظِيمُ ٦٤

Those who believed (in the Oneness of Allah - Islamic Monotheism), and used to fear Allah much (by abstaining from evil deeds and sins and by doing righteous deeds). For them are glad tidings, in the life of the present world (i.e., righteous dream seen by the person himself or shown to others), and in the Hereafter. No change can there be in the Words of Allah, this is indeed the supreme success.

Surah 10 Yunus Verses 63-64

مَن كَانَ يُرِيدُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَزِينَتَهَا نُوَفِّ إِلَيۡهِمۡ أَعۡمَٰلَهُمۡ فِيهَا وَهُمۡ فِيهَا لَا يُبۡخَسُونَ ١٥ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَيۡسَ لَهُمۡ فِي ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ إِلَّا ٱلنَّارُۖ وَحَبِطَ مَا صَنَعُواْ فِيهَا وَبَٰطِلٞ مَّا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ ١٦

Whosoever desires the life of the world and its glitter; to them We shall pay in full (the wages of) their deeds therein, and they will have no diminution therein. They are those for whom there is nothing in the Hereafter but Fire; and vain are the deeds they did therein. And of no effect is that which they used to do.

Surah 11 Hud Verses 15-16

• This is a clear and stern warning to the worshipers of the world. They should know that they will get the full reward for the exertions (whatever they be) they put forth in order to acquire the worldly gains but they should note it well that they would get nothing in the next world. As they confined their efforts to the benefits of this world, and did nothing to earn the benefits of the next world, they should expect nothing for the deeds they have done for the material gains of this world. In order to illustrate this, let us take the case of a person who desires to build a palace for himself in this world and adopts all those devices, measures and means which help build such a palace. Most surely, he will succeed in building a grand palace, for no brick will refuse to stick to its place simply because he was an unbeliever. But it is equally obvious that he shall have to leave behind in this world that grand palace along with all its furnishings as soon as he breathes his last breath. For there is no reason why the palace he had built (or done anything else) for this world, should be credited to him in the next world, if he had done nothing to provide himself with a palace in the next world. For only those who provide for themselves with the necessary material for a palace in the next world in accordance with the divine law, deserve to get a palace there.

ٱللَّهُ يَبۡسُطُ ٱلرِّزۡقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَقۡدِرُۚ وَفَرِحُواْ بِٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَمَا ٱلۡحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنۡيَا فِي ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ إِلَّا مَتَٰعٞ ٢٦

Allah increases the provision for whom He wills, and straitens (it for whom He wills), 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.

Surah 13 Ar-Rad Verse 26

ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّذِي لَهُۥ مَا فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِۗ وَوَيۡلٞ لِّلۡكَٰفِرِينَ مِنۡ عَذَابٖ شَدِيدٍ ٢ ٱلَّذِينَ يَسۡتَحِبُّونَ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنۡيَا عَلَى ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ وَيَصُدُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَيَبۡغُونَهَا عِوَجًاۚ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ فِي ضَلَٰلِۢ بَعِيدٖ ٣

Allah to Whom belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth! And woe unto the disbelievers from a severe torment. Those who prefer the life of this world instead of the Hereafter, and hinder (men) from the Path of Allah (i.e., Islam) and seek crookedness therein - They are far astray.

Surah 14 Ibrahim Verses 2-3

وَلَقَدۡ ءَاتَيۡنَٰكَ سَبۡعٗا مِّنَ ٱلۡمَثَانِي وَٱلۡقُرۡءَانَ ٱلۡعَظِيمَ ٨٧ لَا تَمُدَّنَّ عَيۡنَيۡكَ إِلَىٰ مَا مَتَّعۡنَا بِهِۦٓ أَزۡوَٰجٗا مِّنۡهُمۡ وَلَا تَحۡزَنۡ عَلَيۡهِمۡ وَٱخۡفِضۡ جَنَاحَكَ لِلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ ٨٨

And, indeed, We have bestowed upon you seven of Al-Mathani and the Grand Quran. Look not with your eyes ambitiously at what We have bestowed on certain classes of them, nor grieve over them. And lower your wings for the believers.

Surah 15 Al-Hijr Verses 87-88

• Allah is saying to His Prophet (pbuh) (and we therefore are to take heed): Since We have given you the Grand Quran, then do not look at this world and its attractions, or the transient delights that we have given to its people in order to test them. Do not envy what they have in this world, and do not upset yourself with regret for their rejection of you and their opposition to your religion.
• ‘seven of Al-Mathani’ – there are some differences among the scholars over the meaning, as in:

• One group said that they are the seven long Surahs meaning Al-Baqarah, Al-Imran, An-Nisa, Al-Maidah, Al-Anam, Al-Araf and Yunus. In them Allah explains the obligations, the Hudud (legal limits), stories and rulings. (Ibn Umar, Ad-Dahak, Ibn Abbas)
• Second opinion is that they are Al-Fatihah which is composed of seven Ayat. The Bismillah is completing seven Ayah (‘Ali, ‘Umar, Al Hasan Al Basri)

• ‘lower your wings’ – be gentle to the fellow believers

وَٱصۡبِرۡ نَفۡسَكَ مَعَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَدۡعُونَ رَبَّهُم بِٱلۡغَدَوٰةِ وَٱلۡعَشِيِّ يُرِيدُونَ وَجۡهَهُۥۖ وَلَا تَعۡدُ عَيۡنَاكَ عَنۡهُمۡ تُرِيدُ زِينَةَ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَاۖ وَلَا تُطِعۡ مَنۡ أَغۡفَلۡنَا قَلۡبَهُۥ عَن ذِكۡرِنَا وَٱتَّبَعَ هَوَىٰهُ وَكَانَ أَمۡرُهُۥ فُرُطٗا ٢٨

And keep yourself (O Muhammad, pbuh) patiently with those who call on their Lord morning and afternoon, seeking His Face; and let not your eyes overlook them, desiring the pomp and glitter of the life of the world; and obey not him whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance, and who follows his own lusts, and whose affairs (deeds) have been lost.

Surah 18 Al-Kahf Verse 28

وَلَا تَمُدَّنَّ عَيۡنَيۡكَ إِلَىٰ مَا مَتَّعۡنَا بِهِۦٓ أَزۡوَٰجٗا مِّنۡهُمۡ زَهۡرَةَ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا لِنَفۡتِنَهُمۡ فِيهِۚ وَرِزۡقُ رَبِّكَ خَيۡرٞ وَأَبۡقَىٰ ١٣١

And strain not your eyes in longing for the things We have given for enjoyment to various groups of them (polytheists and disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah), the splendour of the life of this world that We may test them thereby. But the provision (good reward in the Hereafter) of your Lord is better and more lasting.

Surah 20 Ta-Ha Verse 131

وَمَآ أُوتِيتُم مِّن شَيۡءٖ فَمَتَٰعُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَزِينَتُهَاۚ وَمَا عِندَ ٱللَّهِ خَيۡرٞ وَأَبۡقَىٰٓۚ أَفَلَا تَعۡقِلُونَ ٦٠ أَفَمَن وَعَدۡنَٰهُ وَعۡدًا حَسَنٗا فَهُوَ لَٰقِيهِ كَمَن مَّتَّعۡنَٰهُ مَتَٰعَ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا ثُمَّ هُوَ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِ مِنَ ٱلۡمُحۡضَرِينَ ٦١

And whatever you have been given is an enjoyment of the life of (this) world and its adornment, and that (Hereafter) which is with Allah is better and will remain forever. Have you then no sense? Is he whom We have promised an excellent promise (Paradise), which he will find true, like him whom We have made to enjoy the luxuries of the life of (this) world, then on the Day of Resurrection, he will be among those brought up (to be punished in the Hell-fire)?

Surah 28 Al-Qasas Verses 60-61

وَمَا هَٰذِهِ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنۡيَآ إِلَّا لَهۡوٞ وَلَعِبٞۚ وَإِنَّ ٱلدَّارَ ٱلۡأٓخِرَةَ لَهِيَ ٱلۡحَيَوَانُۚ لَوۡ كَانُواْ يَعۡلَمُونَ ٦٤

And this life of the world is only amusement and play! Verily, the home of the Hereafter – that is the life indeed, if they but knew.

Surah 29 Al-Ankabut Verse 64

• …amusement and play…- The reality of life is no more than the children’s engaging in a sport and pastime for a while, and then returning home. The one who has become a king here, has not become a king in reality but is only playing the king. A time comes when his play ends, and he leaves the royal throne as empty-handed as he was when he had entered the world. Similarly, no phase of life here is enduring and lasting. Every one is playing his part only temporarily for a limited time. Those who are charmed by the short-lived triumphs of this life and are able to collect some means of enjoyment and pleasure and of glory and grandeur by losing their conscience and faith, are only engaged in a pastime. What will these toys profit them when after amusing themselves with these for some years in the world, they will enter through the gate of death empty handed into the next world of eternal life and find their same allurements to have caused them an everlasting affliction?
• …if they but knew…-If people had known the reality, that the life of this world is only a period of preparation for the test, and the real life for man, which is everlasting, is the life Hereafter, they would not have wasted this preparatory period in sport and merry making, but would instead have utilized each moment of it in works conducive to better results in the eternal life of the Hereafter.

يَعۡلَمُونَ ظَٰهِرٗا مِّنَ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَهُمۡ عَنِ ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ هُمۡ غَٰفِلُونَ ٧ أَوَ لَمۡ يَتَفَكَّرُواْ فِيٓ أَنفُسِهِمۗ مَّا خَلَقَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ وَمَا بَيۡنَهُمَآ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَأَجَلٖ مُّسَمّٗىۗ وَإِنَّ كَثِيرٗا مِّنَ ٱلنَّاسِ بِلِقَآيِٕ رَبِّهِمۡ لَكَٰفِرُونَ ٨

They know only the outside appearance of the life of the world, and they are heedless of the Hereafter. Do they not think deeply about themselves? Allah has created not the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them, except with truth and for an appointed term. And indeed, many of mankind deny the Meeting with their Lord. Surah 30 Ar-Rum Verses 7-8

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ ٱتَّقُواْ رَبَّكُمۡ وَٱخۡشَوۡاْ يَوۡمٗا لَّا يَجۡزِي وَالِدٌ عَن وَلَدِهِۦ وَلَا مَوۡلُودٌ هُوَ جَازٍ عَن وَالِدِهِۦ شَيۡ‍ًٔاۚ إِنَّ وَعۡدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقّٞۖ فَلَا تَغُرَّنَّكُمُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَلَا يَغُرَّنَّكُم بِٱللَّهِ ٱلۡغَرُورُ ٣٣

O mankind! Be afraid of your Lord and fear a Day when no father can avail aught for his son, nor a son avail aught for his father. Verily, the Promise of Allah is true, let not then this present life deceive you, nor let the chief deceiver deceive you about Allah.

Surah 31 Luqman Verse 33

• One’s relations with one’s friends, leaders, spiritual guides and other such people are not always very close. The closest mutual relation in the world is that found between parents and their offspring. But so horrendous will be the Day of Reckoning that no father will step forward and offer to redeem his son. Nor will any son come to his father’s rescue and suffer chastisement on his behalf. It would be stupid if anyone were to follow the course of sin and error under the illusion that someone else will come to his aid in the Next Life.
• Allah’s Promise signifies the promise that resurrection will necessarily occur, that the Day of Resurrection is bound to come, that someday Allah’s Court of Justice will inevitably come to order and everyone will be called to account.
• The life of this world deceives and beguiles the superficially minded filling their minds with a variety of misconceptions, as in:

• Everything is confined to just this world, and that there will be no Afterlife
• Luxuriant living, power or authority will endure
• Worldly prosperity is the right standard by which to judge what is true and what is false
• Material prosperity is an indicator of being blessed with Allah’s approval

• ‘chief deceiver’ could be Satan himself, a single person, a group of people, one’s own base self or any other object that deceives man. Every person’s deceiver is that which leads him astray, that which causes his life to take a turn in the wrong direction. The deception embraces a whole range of befooling, leading men to believe false notions, as in:

• Allah does not exist
• Some people are so dear to Allah that anyone who curries favour with them feel assured that Allah will necessarily forgive them
• Since Allah is Forgiving and Merciful, they can go about sinning to their hearts’ fill for Allah will continue to pardon them
• Determinism – if they commit evil they are helpless for it is Allah who makes them do so. Similarly, it is Allah who does not enable them to do good works.

It is only when they fall prey to such deceptions that he becomes enmeshed in erroneous beliefs

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّ وَعۡدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقّٞۖ فَلَا تَغُرَّنَّكُمُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَلَا يَغُرَّنَّكُم بِٱللَّهِ ٱلۡغَرُورُ ٥ إِنَّ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنَ لَكُمۡ عَدُوّٞ فَٱتَّخِذُوهُ عَدُوًّاۚ إِنَّمَا يَدۡعُواْ حِزۡبَهُۥ لِيَكُونُواْ مِنۡ أَصۡحَٰبِ ٱلسَّعِيرِ ٦

O mankind! Verily, the Promise of Allah is true. So, let not this present life deceive you, and let not the chief deceiver deceive you about Allah. Surely, Shaitan is an enemy to you, so take him as an enemy. He only invites his Hizb (followers) that they become the dwellers of the blazing Fire.

Surah 35 Fatir Verse 5-6

• ‘take him as an enemy’ – means since he has declared his enmity towards you, so be even more hostile towards him, oppose him, and do not believe the things with which he tries to tempt you

وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِيٓ ءَامَنَ يَٰقَوۡمِ ٱتَّبِعُونِ أَهۡدِكُمۡ سَبِيلَ ٱلرَّشَادِ ٣٨ يَٰقَوۡمِ إِنَّمَا هَٰذِهِ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنۡيَا مَتَٰعٞ وَإِنَّ ٱلۡأٓخِرَةَ هِيَ دَارُ ٱلۡقَرَارِ ٣٩ مَنۡ عَمِلَ سَيِّئَةٗ فَلَا يُجۡزَىٰٓ إِلَّا مِثۡلَهَاۖ وَمَنۡ عَمِلَ صَٰلِحٗا مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوۡ أُنثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤۡمِنٞ فَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ يَدۡخُلُونَ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ يُرۡزَقُونَ فِيهَا بِغَيۡرِ حِسَابٖ ٤٠

And the man who believed said: ‘O my people! Follow me, I will guide you to the way of right conduct. O my people! Truly this life of the world is nothing but a (quick passing) enjoyment and verily, the Hereafter that is the home that will remain forever. Whosoever does an evil deed, will not be requited except the like thereof; and whoever does a righteous deed, whether male or female, and is a true believer, such will enter Paradise, where they will be provided therein without limit’.

Surah 40 Ghafir Verses 38-40

• ‘man who believed’ - The reference is to a true believer in the Pharaonic community at the time of Prophet Moses, pbuh.

أَفَرَءَيۡتَ مَنِ ٱتَّخَذَ إِلَٰهَهُۥ هَوَىٰهُ وَأَضَلَّهُ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ عِلۡمٖ وَخَتَمَ عَلَىٰ سَمۡعِهِۦ وَقَلۡبِهِۦ وَجَعَلَ عَلَىٰ بَصَرِهِۦ غِشَٰوَةٗ فَمَن يَهۡدِيهِ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ ٱللَّهِۚ أَفَلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ ٢٣ وَقَالُواْ مَا هِيَ إِلَّا حَيَاتُنَا ٱلدُّنۡيَا نَمُوتُ وَنَحۡيَا وَمَا يُهۡلِكُنَآ إِلَّا ٱلدَّهۡرُۚ وَمَا لَهُم بِذَٰلِكَ مِنۡ عِلۡمٍۖ إِنۡ هُمۡ إِلَّا يَظُنُّونَ ٢٤

Have you seen him who takes his own lust (vain desires) as his ilah (god), and Allah knowing (him as such), left him astray, and sealed his hearing and his heart, and put a cover on his sight? Who then will guide him after Allah? Will you not then remember? And they say: “There is nothing but our life of this world, we die and we live and nothing destroys us except Ad-Dahr (the time)”. And they have no knowledge of it, they only conjecture.

Surah 45 Al-Jathiya Verses 23-24

• To take one’s lust as god means that one fully becomes the slave of one’s desire, as in:

• This person has made his base self his deity. He does all that his base self asks for. In so doing, he fails to observe the limits of the lawful and the unlawful laid down by Allah (Ibn Jarir Al-Tabari)
• Such a person obeys the propmptings of his base self so religiously as one should serve Allah (Abu Bakr Al-Jassas)
• He is led by his base self and follows it blindly. In other words, he looks after his self with a devotion that one consecrates to Allah (Zamakshari)

If someone behaves as described above, he is the servant of his unbridled desires, no matter whether he verbally calls them his god or not and whether he worships them as idols or not

• ‘astray with knowledge’ – This has two possible meanings:

1. Notwithstanding a person’s knowledge, Allah directed him to error for he was a slave of his own desires
2. In view of Allah’s Knowledge that one deifies one’s desires, Allah pushes him into error and misguidance

• ‘Will you not then remember’ – it becomes evident from the context of the verse that those who are bent on unbridled gratification of their desires are none else than those that deny the Hereafter. Such people look upon the idea of the Hereafter as so many shackles and fetters upon their freedom. Even a learned person, who is devoid of this consciousness (that denial of the Hereafter is fatal for morality and that what can restrain and keep under control is his belief in accountability in the Hereafter) is apt to behave like a brute
• ‘…they only conjecture’ – Swayed by their own base desires, it is the disbelievers’ wishful thinking which prompts them to deny the reality of the Hereafter

وَقِيلَ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ نَنسَىٰكُمۡ كَمَا نَسِيتُمۡ لِقَآءَ يَوۡمِكُمۡ هَٰذَا وَمَأۡوَىٰكُمُ ٱلنَّارُ وَمَا لَكُم مِّن نَّٰصِرِينَ ٣٤ ذَٰلِكُم بِأَنَّكُمُ ٱتَّخَذۡتُمۡ ءَايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ هُزُوٗا وَغَرَّتۡكُمُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنۡيَاۚ فَٱلۡيَوۡمَ لَا يُخۡرَجُونَ مِنۡهَا وَلَا هُمۡ يُسۡتَعۡتَبُونَ ٣٥

And it will be said: “This Day We will forget you as you forgot the Meeting of this Day of yours. And your abode is the Fire, and there is none to help you”. This, because you took the revelations of Allah (this Quran) in mockery, and the life of the world deceived you. So, this Day, they shall not be taken out from there (Hell), nor shall they be Yustataboon (i.e., they shall not return to the worldly life, so that they repent to Allah, and beg His Pardon for their sins).

Surah 45 Al-Jathiya Verses 34-35

وَيَوۡمَ يُعۡرَضُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ عَلَى ٱلنَّارِ أَذۡهَبۡتُمۡ طَيِّبَٰتِكُمۡ فِي حَيَاتِكُمُ ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَٱسۡتَمۡتَعۡتُم بِهَا فَٱلۡيَوۡمَ تُجۡزَوۡنَ عَذَابَ ٱلۡهُونِ بِمَا كُنتُمۡ تَسۡتَكۡبِرُونَ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ بِغَيۡرِ ٱلۡحَقِّ وَبِمَا كُنتُمۡ تَفۡسُقُونَ ٢٠

On the Day when those who disbelieve (in the Oneness of Allah Islamic Monotheism) will be exposed to the Fire (it will be said): “You received your good things in the life of the world, and you took your pleasure therein. Now this Day you shall be recompensed with a torment of humiliation, because you were arrogant in the land without a right, and because you used to rebel and disobey (Allah)”.

Surah 46 Al-Ahqaf Verse 20

• The Commander of the faithful, Umar bin Al-Khattab, gave up many of the joys of food and drink and refrained from them while saying, “I am afraid of being like those whom Allah has reproached and condemned by saying, You received your good things in the life of the world, and you took your pleasure therein”.

إِنَّمَا ٱلۡحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنۡيَا لَعِبٞ وَلَهۡوٞۚ وَإِن تُؤۡمِنُواْ وَتَتَّقُواْ يُؤۡتِكُمۡ أُجُورَكُمۡ وَلَا يَسۡ‍َٔلۡكُمۡ أَمۡوَٰلَكُمۡ ٣٦ إِن يَسۡ‍َٔلۡكُمُوهَا فَيُحۡفِكُمۡ تَبۡخَلُواْ وَيُخۡرِجۡ أَضۡغَٰنَكُمۡ ٣٧ هَٰٓأَنتُمۡ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ تُدۡعَوۡنَ لِتُنفِقُواْ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ فَمِنكُم مَّن يَبۡخَلُۖ وَمَن يَبۡخَلۡ فَإِنَّمَا يَبۡخَلُ عَن نَّفۡسِهِۦۚ وَٱللَّهُ ٱلۡغَنِيُّ وَأَنتُمُ ٱلۡفُقَرَآءُۚ وَإِن تَتَوَلَّوۡاْ يَسۡتَبۡدِلۡ قَوۡمًا غَيۡرَكُمۡ ثُمَّ لَا يَكُونُوٓاْ أَمۡثَٰلَكُم ٣٨

The life of this world is but play and pastime; but if you believe, and fear Allah, and avoid evil, He will grant you your wages, and will not ask you (to sacrifice all of) your wealth. If He were to ask you of it, and press you, you would covetously withhold, and He will bring out all your (secret) ill-wills. Behold! You are those who are called to spend in the Cause of Allah, yet among you are some who are niggardly. And whoever is niggardly, it is only at the expense of his own self. But Allah is Rich, and you (mankind) are poor. And if you turn away, He will exchange you for some other people and they will not be your likes.

Surah 47 Muhammad Verses 36-38

• ‘at the expense of his own self’ – meaning he only reduces his own rewards, and the bad outcome of that will come back to him. Allah ordained charity and spending from your wealth so that you would help your needy brothers or establish the system of Islam, the benefit of that would then come back to you, as well as the rewards

فَأَعۡرِضۡ عَن مَّن تَوَلَّىٰ عَن ذِكۡرِنَا وَلَمۡ يُرِدۡ إِلَّا ٱلۡحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنۡيَا ٢٩ ذَٰلِكَ مَبۡلَغُهُم مِّنَ ٱلۡعِلۡمِۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعۡلَمُ بِمَن ضَلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ وَهُوَ أَعۡلَمُ بِمَنِ ٱهۡتَدَىٰ ٣٠

Therefore withdraw (O Muhammad, pbuh) from him who turns away from Our Reminder (the Quran) and desires nothing but the life of this world. That is what they could reach of knowledge. Verily, your Lord it is He who knows best him who goes astray from His path, and He knows best him who receives guidance.

Surah 53 An-Najm Verses 29-30

• ‘what they could reach of knowledge’ – seeking this life and striving hard in its affairs is the best knowledge of the disbelievers that they have acquired. Their aim and knowledge are concentrated on this life; this is the goal of those who have no goodness in them. There is also a reported supplication: “O Allah! Make not this life the greatest of our concerns nor the best knowledge that we attain”

أَزِفَتِ ٱلۡأٓزِفَةُ ٥٧ لَيۡسَ لَهَا مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ كَاشِفَةٌ ٥٨ أَفَمِنۡ هَٰذَا ٱلۡحَدِيثِ تَعۡجَبُونَ ٥٩ وَتَضۡحَكُونَ وَلَا تَبۡكُونَ ٦٠ وَأَنتُمۡ سَٰمِدُونَ ٦١

The Day of Resurrection draws near. None besides Allah can avert it. Do you then wonder at this recitation (the Quran)? And you laugh at it and weep not, wasting your (precious) lifetime in pastime and amusements.

Surah 53 An-Najm Verses 57-61

• ‘wonder’ – here means doubting that it is true

ٱعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّمَا ٱلۡحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنۡيَا لَعِبٞ وَلَهۡوٞ وَزِينَةٞ وَتَفَاخُرُۢ بَيۡنَكُمۡ وَتَكَاثُرٞ فِي ٱلۡأَمۡوَٰلِ وَٱلۡأَوۡلَٰدِۖ كَمَثَلِ غَيۡثٍ أَعۡجَبَ ٱلۡكُفَّارَ نَبَاتُهُۥ ثُمَّ يَهِيجُ فَتَرَىٰهُ مُصۡفَرّٗا ثُمَّ يَكُونُ حُطَٰمٗاۖ وَفِي ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ عَذَابٞ شَدِيدٞ وَمَغۡفِرَةٞ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرِضۡوَٰنٞۚ وَمَا ٱلۡحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنۡيَآ إِلَّا مَتَٰعُ ٱلۡغُرُورِ ٢٠

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. (It is) as the likeness of vegetation after rain, thereof the growth is pleasing to the tillers; 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) and (there is) forgiveness from Allah and Good Pleasure (for the believers). And the life of this world is only a deceiving enjoyment.

Surah 57 Al-Hadid Verse 20

• The parable indicates the near demise of this life and the imminent end of it, while in contrast, the Hereafter is surely coming. Those who hear the parable should, therefore, be aware of the significance of the Hereafter and feel eagerness in the goodness that it contains

كَلَّا بَلۡ تُحِبُّونَ ٱلۡعَاجِلَةَ ٢٠ وَتَذَرُونَ ٱلۡأٓخِرَةَ ٢١

Not [as you think, that you (mankind) will not be resurrected and recompensed for your deeds], but (you men) love the present life of this world; And leave (neglect) the Hereafter.

Surah 75 Al-Qiyamah Verse 20-21

إِنَّ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ يُحِبُّونَ ٱلۡعَاجِلَةَ وَيَذَرُونَ وَرَآءَهُمۡ يَوۡمٗا ثَقِيلٗا ٢٧ نَّحۡنُ خَلَقۡنَٰهُمۡ وَشَدَدۡنَآ أَسۡرَهُمۡۖ وَإِذَا شِئۡنَا بَدَّلۡنَآ أَمۡثَٰلَهُمۡ تَبۡدِيلًا ٢٨

Verily! These (disbelievers) love the present life of this world, and put behind them a heavy Day (that will be hard). It is We Who created them, and We have made them of strong built. And when We will, We can replace them with others like them with a complete replacement.

Surah 76 Al-Insan Verses 27-28

فَإِذَا جَآءَتِ ٱلطَّآمَّةُ ٱلۡكُبۡرَىٰ ٣٤ يَوۡمَ يَتَذَكَّرُ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنُ مَا سَعَىٰ ٣٥ وَبُرِّزَتِ ٱلۡجَحِيمُ لِمَن يَرَىٰ ٣٦ فَأَمَّا مَن طَغَىٰ ٣٧ وَءَاثَرَ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنۡيَا ٣٨ فَإِنَّ ٱلۡجَحِيمَ هِيَ ٱلۡمَأۡوَىٰ ٣٩ وَأَمَّا مَنۡ خَافَ مَقَامَ رَبِّهِۦ وَنَهَى ٱلنَّفۡسَ عَنِ ٱلۡهَوَىٰ ٤٠ فَإِنَّ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ هِيَ ٱلۡمَأۡوَىٰ ٤١

But when there comes the greatest catastrophe (i.e., the Day of Recompense); The Day when man shall remember what he strove for; And Hell-fire shall be made apparent in full view for (every) one who sees; Then, for him who Tagha (transgressed all bounds, in disbelief, oppression and evil deeds of disobedience to Allah). And preferred the life of this world (by following his evil desires and lusts); Verily, his abode will be Hell-fire; But as for him who feared standing before his Lord, and restrained himself from impure evil desires, and lusts. Verily, Paradise will be his abode.

Surah 79 An-Naziat Verses 34-41

• Here, in a few words, it has been told briefly what shall be the criterion of the final judgment in the Hereafter. One kind of the conduct of life in the world is that transgressing all bounds of service man should rebel against Allah and should make up his mind that he would seek only the benefits and pleasures of this world in whatever way they could be sought and achieved. The other kind of conduct is that while man passes life in the world, he should constantly keep in view the truth that ultimately one day he has to stand before his Lord, and should refrain from fulfilling the evil desires of the self only for the fear that if he earned an unlawful benefit in obedience to his self, or enjoyed an evil pleasure, what answer he would give to his Lord. The criterion of the judgment in the Hereafter will be which of the two kinds of conduct he adopted in the world. If he had adopted the first kind of conduct, his permanent abode would be Hell, and if he had adopted the second kind of conduct, his permanent home would be Paradise.

بَلۡ تُؤۡثِرُونَ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنۡيَا ١٦ وَٱلۡأٓخِرَةُ خَيۡرٞ وَأَبۡقَىٰٓ ١٧

Nay, you prefer the life of this world; Although the Hereafter is better and more lasting.

Surah 87 Al-Ala Verses 16-17

أَلۡهَىٰكُمُ ٱلتَّكَاثُرُ ١ حَتَّىٰ زُرۡتُمُ ٱلۡمَقَابِرَ ٢ كَلَّا سَوۡفَ تَعۡلَمُونَ ٣ ثُمَّ كَلَّا سَوۡفَ تَعۡلَمُونَ ٤ كَلَّا لَوۡ تَعۡلَمُونَ عِلۡمَ ٱلۡيَقِينِ ٥ لَتَرَوُنَّ ٱلۡجَحِيمَ ٦ ثُمَّ لَتَرَوُنَّهَا عَيۡنَ ٱلۡيَقِينِ ٧ ثُمَّ لَتُسۡ‍َٔلُنَّ يَوۡمَئِذٍ عَنِ ٱلنَّعِيمِ ٨

The mutual rivalry (for piling up worldly things) diverts you, until you visit the graves (i.e., till you die). Nay! You shall come to know! Again nay! You shall come to know! Nay! If you knew with a sure knowledge. Verily, you shall see the Blazing Fire (Hell)! And again, you shall see it with certainty of sight! Then on that Day you shall be asked about the delights (you indulged in this world)!

Surah 102 At-Takhatur Verses 1-8

• Allah says that all are preoccupied by love of the world, its delights and its adornments, and this distracts you from seeking the Hereafter and desiring it. This delays you until death come to you and you visit the graves, thus becoming its inhabitants.
• Narrated Anas bin Malik that the Prophet (pbuh) said: ‘Three things follow the deceased person and two of them return while one remains behind with him. The things which follow him are his family, his wealth and his deeds. His family and his wealth return while his deeds remain’
• Narrated Anas that the Prophet (pbuh) said: ‘The son of Adam becomes old with senility, but yet two things remain with him: greed and hope’
• ‘If you knew with a sure knowledge’ – meaning had you known with truth you would not be diverted by the rivalry for wealth seeking.
• ‘you shall be asked about the delights’ – meaning, on that Day you all will be questioned concerning your gratitude towards the favours that Allah blessed you with; such as health, safety, sustenance and other things. You will be asked did you return His favours by being thankful to Him and worshipping Him and obeying Him. The Prophet (pbuh) said: ‘Two favours are treated unjustly by most people: health and free time’ Narrated Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (pbuh) said: ‘Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, says on the Day of Judgement, “O son of Adam! I made you ride upon the horses and camels, I gave you woman to marry, and I made you reside and rule (in the earth). So where is the thanks for that”’
• As to divine bounties, these are numerous, including many of which man has no perception. Some of these have been directly conferred upon man and many are earned by man. He will be answerable, in particular, for the latter – how he acquired these and how he utilised them. Likewise, he will be called to account for the divine favours bestowed upon him directly. He will be asked whether he had acknowledged Allah’s grace as the source of all these favours, and whether he had thanked Him in word and deed for these or did he imagine that he got these by chance? Or did he believe that others had a role in their bestowal?

END OF CHAPTER