THE WORLD IS EVIL: The Hereafter Is The Real Life!

The World Vs The Hereafter

All Prophets Warned Of

The Love Of This World

(M. Javed Naseem)

“O you who believe! What is the matter

with you that, when you are asked to go

forth in the cause of Allah, you cling

heavily to the earth? Do you prefer the

life of this world to the Hereafter?

But little is the comfort of this life,

as compared with the Hereafter.”

(al-Quran 9:38)

When we talk about the relationship between the Creator and the Creation, God and Man, there is only one basis to judge it: How honestly, sincerely and faithfully we discharge our obligations! We were clearly told that this world is temporary and we are given an opportunity during its short tenure to work on the Hereafter – the real life. It’s very unfortunate that most of us never understood (didn’t want to understand) the purpose of this journey from point-A to point-B. We are supposed to travel light but we are accumulating more and more heavy baggage.

“These are the people who buy the life of

this world at the price of the Hereafter.

Their penalty shall not be lightened

nor shall they be helped.”

(al-Quran 2:86)

We are going crazy in the race for material goods and benefits. We get so blinded by the pressure from TV, from the left and right that we ignore all rules and regulations; we violate all codes of ethics and manners of conduct. We just want to grind our own axe at all costs without thinking beyond the present temporary gain.

“What is the life of this world but play

and amusement? But best is the home in

the Hereafter, for those who are righteous.

Will you not then understand?”

(al-Quran 6:32) 

And then we talk proudly about Islam. We judge others on all the high standards of Islam, in every walk of life, but don’t apply those standards to our own lives. Are we exempt? Why and under what authority?

Nobody is exempt from the Laws of Allah, not even the Prophets and the Messengers of the Almighty. On the contrary, they were the best role-models for the rest of the mankind. They led by example and showed us how to live by the Book without violating the rights of others – especially the rights of Allah.

All Prophets promoted the life of the Hereafter because that was the principal message of Allah.

“… But the home of the Hereafter is

is best for those who do right.

Will you not then understand?”

(al-Quran 12:109)

“The Love of the world is the basis of every evil.”

--  Jesus Christ

"Those who have much wealth (in this world) 

will be the least rewarded (in the Hereafter) 

except those who do …” – Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.)

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "Both in this world and in the Hereafter, I am the nearest of all the people to Jesus, the son of Mary. The prophets are paternal brothers; their mothers are different, but their religion is one."  

(Bukhari, Book 55, Hadith No.652)

Prophet Isa ibn Maryam (r.a.) (or Jesus Christ), said:

“Don’t make the world your guide (leader) because it will enslave you.”

“Deposit your treasure (of good deeds) with the best Guardian (Allah) so that you don’t run the risk of losing it. The treasures of the world (wealth) can be stolen, wasted or lost by some calamity, while the treasures of Allah are free of those dangers.”

The World Is Evil: Jesus Christ

The world is full of evil and one big element

of evil is that people disobey God in the world.

Another proof of its evil is that you cannot win

the Hereafter unless you lose the world.

Always bear in mind that the love of the

world is the basis of every evil. The worldly

desire of a short time can cause you the pain

and punishment for ever (in the Hereafter).

-- Jesus Christ

“Some people want the world, whereas the world itself wants some people. Those who strive for the Hereafter, the world wants them to keep them away from God. And those who want the world, it runs away from them, till they die chasing their worldly desires.”

“The love for the Hereafter and the love of the world cannot live together in the same heart, just like the fire and water cannot be combined in one pot.”

Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) Said:

Narrated Abdullah bin Abu Aufa: A man displayed some goods in the market and swore by Allah that he had been offered so much for that (that which was not offered), and he said so, so as to cheat a Muslim. On that occasion the following Verse was revealed: “Verily! Those who purchase a small gain at the cost of Allah's covenant and their oaths, they shall have no portion in the Hereafter” (al-Quran 3:77). (Bukhari, Book 34, Hadith No.301)

“But verily the reward of the Hereafter

is the best, for those who believe, and

are constant in righteousness.”

(al-Quran 12:57) 

Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri: The Prophet (s.a.w.) delivered a sermon and said, "Allah gave a choice to one of (His) slaves either to choose this world or what is with Him in the Hereafter. He chose the latter (the Hereafter)." Abu Bakr wept. I said to myself, "Why is this Sheikh weeping, if Allah gave choice to one (of His) slaves either to choose this world or what is with Him in the Hereafter and he chose the latter?" And that slave was Allah's Apostle himself. Abu Bakr knew more than us. …

(Bukhari, Book 8, Hadith 455)

Narrated Anas : The Prophet used to say, "O 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." (al-Quran 2:201).  

(Bukhari, Book 60, Hadith No.47)

“And there are men who say: Our Lord!

Give us good in this world and good

in the Hereafter, and defend us from

the torment of the Fire!" 

(al-Quran 2:201)

Narrated Anas: The most frequent invocation of the Prophet (s.a.w.) was: "O Allah! Give to us in the world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the torment of the Fire." (al-Quran 2:201).  

(Bukhari, Book 75, Hadith No.398)

Narrated Al-Bara bin Azib: Allah's Apostle said, "When a Muslim is questioned in his grave, he will testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is Allah's Apostle, and that is what is meant by Allah's Statement: "Allah will keep firm those who believe with a Word that stands firm in this world and in the Hereafter." (al-Quran14:27).

(Bukhari, Book 60, Hadith No.221)

Narrated Abu Dhar: While I was walking with the Prophet at the Hurra of Medina in the evening, the mountain of Uhud appeared before us. The Prophet said, "O Abu Dhar! I would not like to have gold equal to Uhud (mountain) for me, unless nothing of it, not even a single Dinar remains of it with me, for more than one day or three days, except that single Dinar which I will keep for repaying debts. I will spend all of it (the whole amount) among Allah's slaves like this and like this and like this." The Prophet pointed out with his hand to illustrate it and then said, "O Abu Dhar!" I replied, "Labbaik wa Sa'daik, O Allah's Apostle!" He said, "Those who have much wealth (in this world) will be the least rewarded (in the Hereafter) except those who do like this and like this (i.e., spend their money in charity)."

(Bukhari, Book 74, Hadith No.285)

When we disobey Allah, we practically reject Allah and His Commandments. And that is a punishable crime. It’s very unfortunate that we don’t understand the severity of this crime. We can lose this world as well as the Hereafter!

"As to those who reject faith, I will

punish them with terrible agony in this

world and in the Hereafter, nor will

they have anyone to help."

(al-Quran 3:56) 

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