Ibaad’Allah, what is the life of this world that we live? A life full of good and bad, rewarding and corrupting.

However short, or however long our life span is, whatever becomes of us is due to our own doings, which leads either to our success or to our failure.

Allah says in the Quran :

Everyone shall taste the death. And only on the day of Resurrection shall you be paid your wages in full. And whoever is removed away from the Fire and admitted into Paradise, he indeed is successful. The life of this world is only the enjoyment of Deception (a deceiving thing) [3:185]

If you look around...what do you see?...do you not see how so much evil and corruption has spread in the dunya?, how so many Muslims have the left the straight path and have chosen to follow a path other than the path of Muhammad (saw)?

Look to what Allah says in the Quran :

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? [6:32]

And how do we go about our lives trying to please Allah Ta’la?, when we have occupied much of our time with things that have no benefit for us, when the ummah is splitting apart due to our development of ill-feelings towards one another, when slandering and backbiting have become so common amongst us, when we have allowed shaytaan to bring hatred and enmity between us, when we enjoy doing deeds merely for fame and praise, rather than to solely seek the face of Allah the most High.

And when Allah gathers on the day of judgement, He, the Almighty will say :

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 disbeliever’s. [6:130]

Ibaad’Allah, even the Sahaabah (ra) were warned by the Prophet (saw) about the luxuries of this life, and leaving the straight path..

Abu Darda (ra) reported that Allah’s Messenger (saw) came forth to us while we were making mention of destitution, “Do you fear destitution?, By Allah in who’s Hands is my life, (the riches of) the world will be poured upon you abundantly, till nothing but this (world) will cause the heart of anyone of you to deviate (from the truth). By Allah, I am leaving you (after me) with something like brightness, its night and its day are alike”. Abu Darda (ra) said, “By Allah, Allah’s Messenger (saw) left us on (a path) like brightness [Ibn Maajah, authenticated by Albani].

SubhanAllah, is this not the case with many of the Muslims today, who have chosen the dunya over the straight path?

All over the world our brothers and sisters, the old and the young are suffering, being tortured and butchered ....and it is these people who have chosen this temporary life over the eternal blissful life, that you will find doing little or nothing to help, who are too busy enjoying the dunya…

And Allah gives a clear warning in the Quran

O you who believe!, what is the matter with you that when you are asked to march forth in the cause of Allah, (ie Jihad), you cling heavily to the earth?. Are you pleased with this life of this world rather than the Hereafter?. But little is the enjoyment of the life of this world as compared with the Hereafter. [9:38]

And Allah says:

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 [13:26]

Ibaad’Allah, ask yourself - are you really happy with this short, temporary life?, do your hearts prefer this life over the next?, perhaps many of you on hearing this will reply in the negative, but verily, Actions speak louder than words, and reflect upon what you say with what you actually do.

For those who prefer this life over the next, everlasting life of joys, then take heed of Allah’s warning :

Whoever wishes for the quick-passing (transitory enjoyment of this world), We readily grant him what We will for whom We like. Then, afterwards, We have appointed for him Hell, he will burn therein disgraced and rejected (- far away from Allah’s mercy) [17:18]