Life's Journey Is Short

In Islam, the perspective on this worldly life is that it is temporary and transient, a journey towards the eternal afterlife. While Muslims are encouraged to enjoy the blessings of this life, it is seen as a place of testing and preparation for the real and everlasting life in the hereafter. This understanding shapes their priorities and actions, emphasizing the importance of seeking God's pleasure and preparing for the Day of Judgment.

Here's a more detailed explanation:

Transient Nature:

The Quran and Islamic teachings consistently remind believers that this world is temporary and not the ultimate destination. Verses like Surah Al-Ankabut (29:64) describe worldly life as "play and amusement" compared to the "real life" of the Hereafter, according to Quran.com.

Preparation for the Hereafter:

Islam emphasizes that this life is a test and a preparation ground for the Hereafter. Muslims are encouraged to perform good deeds, seek knowledge, and live righteously to earn God's mercy and a place in paradise.

Balance and Moderation:

While recognizing the temporary nature of this world, Islam also encourages a balanced approach to life. Muslims are allowed to enjoy permissible (halal) things in this world but are cautioned against excessive attachment and materialism. The Quran even includes prayers for blessings in both this world and the next, according to Al Hakam.

Focus on the Eternal:

The ultimate goal for Muslims is to attain the pleasure of God and a place in Paradise. This understanding shapes their priorities and actions, motivating them to strive for spiritual growth and to make choices that align with Islamic teachings.

Example of a Traveler:

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used the metaphor of a traveler resting briefly under a tree before continuing their journey to illustrate the transient nature of this world, according to QuranReflect. This emphasizes that worldly life is a temporary stop on a much longer journey.

Preoccupation With This Life Condemned

• Q57:20 Know that this worldly life is no more than play and games, and boasting among you, and hoarding of money and children. It is like abundant rain that produces plants and pleases the disbelievers. But then the plants turn into useless hay, and are blown away by the wind. In the Hereafter there is either severe retribution, or forgiveness from God and approval. This worldly life is no more than a temporary illusion.

Success in the material world is not even the remotest indication that you will be redeemed to God, because all humans are placed on Earth under circumstances God wishes them to test them in.

Most people take God for granted and assume that just being nice - as per their own opinion of nice (which may be different from the next person) - is enough and that will forgive them for anything and everything they do wrong.

But if your soul is not happy, you know in your heart something is missing. And if we don’t return to God’s path, the permanent loss or reward for the soul is unimaginable and irreversible. This should motivate you to want to do something about it.

Important: It is imperative for you to know that the Quran is neither a ‘Muslim book’ nor the exclusive preserve of any community just because it was revealed in a particular place or language. It is a universal book of assured guidance for anyone who chooses to let God guide him or her.

To take God’s guidance from the Quran, you do not need to know Arabic, nor change your name, religious lineage, cultural habits or anything like that. Submission to God can be practised independently and privately with direct accountability to God.

You must know that Submission to God is an active and joyous existence where you can laugh, sing, play, study, travel, marry, pursue various vocations, earn as much as you wish etc., as long as you remain devoted to God alone and do things righteously to please Him.

The Quran is your daily reference book to point out all your limits. Once you discard all your previous idols and decide to become a “Submitter” to God, He erases all your previous sins and puts you on the assured path to happiness and salvation.