What is the reality of life?
Normally people do not like to think of such things. For them, there is one
life, that of the world, and they try to live it in as prestigious and
comfortable a way as possible, for afterwards, neither man, nor anything that
concerns him, will remain. Some do think about this matter, but only on a
philosophical level. They seek a theoretical explanation of the world. Such
explanations are interesting from a philosophical point of view, but they are
of no basic value to man. Theoretical discussions about whether a cosmic spirit
keeps the whole universe revolving for its own fulfillment, or whether
everything is part of some sublime being, do not raise any personal issues for
man. Some have a religious answer to the question, but their solution is also
of no import to man. Some religions hold that the son of God was crucified in
atonement for man’s sins; others see life as a mysterious, recurring cycle,
with man repeatedly being born arid dying; some claim that man will be rewarded
and punished in this world. These are the creeds of which most religions are
made.
All such solutions to the
problems of life differ from one another considerably, but in so much as none
of them raises any serious personal issue for man, they are all the same. They
are either explanations of events or a means of providing us with some sort of
spiritual satisfaction. They do not issue us with any warning or stir us into
any action.
But the answer provided by Rasulullah ﷺ is of an entirely different nature. Whereas the other
answers do not raise any critical issue for man, the answer provided by the
Prophet places every individual in a precarious position from which the next
step leads either to an awesome abyss of destruction or to a world of eternal
bliss. It requires every man to take a serious view of his situation, even more
so than a traveler in the night whose torch reveals a black snake slithering
menacingly in front of him.
The message taught by Rasulullah ﷺ, contains a greater
warning for all mankind. He taught that after this world a vaster world is
awaiting us, where every person will be judged and then punished or rewarded
according to his deeds. The props which man relies on in this world will not
support him there, for there will be no trading, no friendship and no
acceptable intercession. (Qur'an, 2:254)
The world hereafter, makes
this existence a matter of personal importance to everyone. Everyone’s fate,
according to his teachings, hangs in the balance. Either one can believe in his
message and follow his guidance, thus preparing oneself for everlasting
paradise, or one can ignore his teachings, thus resigning oneself to eternal
hellfire.
There are two things, which
make this matter even more worthy of our attention. Firstly, the arguments of
those who have expounded other theories on this matter have been very dubious.
Those who consider material aggrandizement to be all that is worthwhile in life
have no proof for their theory; their ideas are based on superficial
attractions. Those who speak in philosophical terms have only analogies to
offer as evidence. They themselves do not have full faith in what they say, so
how can others be expected to accept their theories?
Then there are those who
speak with reference to the prophets and scriptures. Basically their platform
is solid, but the prophets and books to which they refer belong to an age-long
past. We have no reliable historical information regarding them at our
disposal. Even though the original source of these religions is sound, we still
cannot rely on their teachings as they are at present. The criterion with which
to judge the past is history, and history does not verify the authenticity of
their dogmas.
With Rasulullah ﷺ,
however, the case is quite different. On the one hand, his prophetic credentials
stand up to any scrutiny. Rasulullah ﷺ was the epitome of everything a prophet should be.
There is no doubt about his prophethood; it is an established historical fact,
which no one can deny.
The facts of the Prophet
Muhammad’s life and teachings have also been carefully preserved; their
historical credibility cannot be contested. The Qur’an exists in its revealed
form. Rasulullah ﷺ’s words and actions are recorded in book-form, so one has no difficulty
in establishing exactly what he said and did in his life.
Rasulullah ﷺ warned us that
we are confronted with a reality, which we can never change; we have no choice
but to face it. Death and suicide only transfer us to another world; they do
not obliterate us altogether. The Creator has established an eternal scheme for
success and failure, which no one can alter or opt out of. We have to choose
between heaven and hell; we have no other choice.
If the meteorological
department forecasts a hurricane, it is telling us about an impending disaster
in which those affected will have no say in the matter; another power will
control events. One can either escape or expose oneself to destruction. So,
when the earthquake of the Last day occurs there will be no path to safety save
that which Rasulullah ﷺ has laid down. We ignore that path at our own
peril..
credit CPS inter...
