✍ Written by: Maqbool Ahmad Salafi – Islamic Da’wah Center, Masrah, Taif
Every day, thousands of people are born, and thousands pass away. Everyone who enters this world must inevitably leave it. No one denies that death is an undeniable truth. Allah says:
كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ
“Every soul shall taste death.”
[Āl ʿImrān: 185]
So, if death is inevitable, then what is the reality of this world? Why are we here, and what is expected of us?
The world is a place of action, where Allah has sent us to worship Him and live according to the straight path He has revealed. No one except Allah is everlasting; all creatures have limited lifespans. Once their time comes, they depart this world.
Hence, this world is not a place of permanence — it is like a brief stay of a traveler. The real abode is the Hereafter, which is everlasting. Allah says:
يَا قَوْمِ إِنَّمَا هَٰذِهِ الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا مَتَاعٌ وَإِنَّ الْآخِرَةَ هِيَ دَارُ الْقَرَارِ
“O my people! This worldly life is only temporary enjoyment, whereas the Hereafter is truly the eternal home.”
[Ghāfir: 39]
In comparison to the Hereafter, this worldly life is no more than a fleeting moment:
كَأَن لَّمْ يَلْبَثُوا إِلَّا سَاعَةً مِّنَ النَّهَارِ
“It will be as if they had not stayed (in the world) but an hour of a day.”
[Yūnus: 45]
History testifies that no worldly power could prevent death — not Pharaoh, Qārūn, Hāmān, or Shaddād. They came and left. Disbelievers also do not deny death, but they deny resurrection after death. Allah refutes their claim:
زَعَمَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا أَن لَّن يُبْعَثُوا...
“The disbelievers claim they will never be resurrected. Say: Yes! By my Lord, you will surely be resurrected, then you will be informed of what you did. And that is easy for Allah.”
[at-Taghābun: 7]
Every Muslim believes in the Hereafter — it is one of the six pillars of faith. Based on this belief, it is obligatory upon us to:
Allah has repeatedly commanded us in the Qur’an to prepare for the Hereafter:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَلْتَنظُرْ نَفْسٌ مَّا قَدَّمَتْ لِغَدٍ...
“O believers! Be mindful of Allah and let every soul look to what it has sent forth for tomorrow. And fear Allah. Surely, Allah is All-Aware of what you do.”
[al-Ḥashr: 18]
Those who strive for the Hereafter while being believers will have their efforts appreciated by Allah:
وَمَنْ أَرَادَ الْآخِرَةَ وَسَعَىٰ لَهَا سَعْيَهَا وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ...
“Whoever desires the Hereafter, strives for it as he should, and is a believer – it is they whose effort is appreciated.”
[al-Isrāʾ: 19]
وَمَا تُقَدِّمُوا لِأَنفُسِكُم مِّنْ خَيْرٍ...
“Whatever good you send forth for yourselves, you will find it with Allah – better and greater in reward.”
[al-Muzzammil: 20]
While Islam revolves around preparation for the Hereafter, most Muslims today are heedless of it. Their actions raise concerns whether they even believe in resurrection, judgment, and meeting their Lord.
Allah warns:
اقْتَرَبَ لِلنَّاسِ حِسَابُهُمْ وَهُمْ فِي غَفْلَةٍ مُّعْرِضُونَ
“The time of people's reckoning has drawn near, yet they turn away in heedlessness.”
[al-Anbiyāʾ: 1]
Here are ten key ways to develop a stronger sense of the Hereafter:
أَلَمْ يَعْلَمْ بِأَنَّ اللَّهَ يَرَى
“Does he not know that Allah sees?”
[al-ʿAlaq: 14]
This awareness protects faith, encourages good deeds, and deters from sin.
وَتَزَوَّدُوا فَإِنَّ خَيْرَ الزَّادِ التَّقْوَىٰ
“And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is taqwā.”
[al-Baqarah: 197]
Taqwā means fearing Allah, acting upon revelation, being content, and preparing for death.
أَكثروا ذِكرَ هاذمِ اللَّذَّات يعني الموتَ
“Increase the remembrance of the destroyer of pleasures — i.e., death.”
Frequent remembrance of death helps detach from worldly pleasures and motivates preparation for the Hereafter.
“I had forbidden you from visiting graves, but now visit them, for they soften hearts, bring tears to the eyes, and remind of the Hereafter.”
ʿUthmān رضي الله عنه would cry heavily at graves and narrated the Hadith:
“The grave is the first stage of the Hereafter; whoever is saved from it, all that follows will be easier, and whoever is not, what follows will be worse.”
Contemplate the severity of death, punishment in the grave, terror of Judgment Day, the hardship of the Ṣirāṭ bridge, and the torment of Hell. Repeatedly listening to reminders from scholars and books will develop awareness and fear.
بَلْ تُؤْثِرُونَ الْحَيَاةَ الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَىٰ
“You prefer the worldly life, while the Hereafter is better and more lasting.”
[al-Aʿlā: 16-17]
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“If the world was worth the wing of a mosquito in the sight of Allah, He would not give a disbeliever even a sip of water from it.”
Hard-heartedness and spiritual pollution prevent concern for the Hereafter. True success lies in purifying the soul:
قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَن تَزَكَّىٰ
“Successful indeed is the one who purifies himself.”
[al-Aʿlā: 14]
كُن في الدُّنيا كأنَّكَ غَريبٌ أو عابرُ سبيلٍ...
“Be in this world like a stranger or a traveler.”
Ibn ʿUmar رضي الله عنه advised: “Do not expect to reach the evening if you survive till morning, and do not expect to reach the morning if you survive till evening.”
The Qur’an is the source of guidance and the key to success in both worlds. Reciting it with understanding inspires hope in Paradise and fear of Hell — both essential for spiritual growth.
وَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنتُم مُّسْلِمُونَ
“Do not die except as Muslims.”
[Āl ʿImrān: 102]
وَاعْبُدْ رَبَّكَ حَتَّىٰ يَأْتِيَكَ الْيَقِينُ
“And worship your Lord until certainty (death) comes to you.”
[al-Ḥijr: 99]
These are ten key strategies to develop a concern for the Hereafter. Many more could be added — any action that softens the heart and awakens the soul aids in this purpose.
May Allah instill within us the true awareness of the Hereafter, guide us in preparing for it accordingly, and grant us salvation on the Day of Judgement. Āmīn.
❖ The Reality of Death and the Purpose of Life
Every day, thousands of people are born, and thousands pass away. Everyone who enters this world must inevitably leave it. No one denies that death is an undeniable truth. Allah says:
كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ
“Every soul shall taste death.”
[Āl ʿImrān: 185]
So, if death is inevitable, then what is the reality of this world? Why are we here, and what is expected of us?
The world is a place of action, where Allah has sent us to worship Him and live according to the straight path He has revealed. No one except Allah is everlasting; all creatures have limited lifespans. Once their time comes, they depart this world.
Hence, this world is not a place of permanence — it is like a brief stay of a traveler. The real abode is the Hereafter, which is everlasting. Allah says:
يَا قَوْمِ إِنَّمَا هَٰذِهِ الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا مَتَاعٌ وَإِنَّ الْآخِرَةَ هِيَ دَارُ الْقَرَارِ
“O my people! This worldly life is only temporary enjoyment, whereas the Hereafter is truly the eternal home.”
[Ghāfir: 39]
❖ The World Compared to the Hereafter
In comparison to the Hereafter, this worldly life is no more than a fleeting moment:
كَأَن لَّمْ يَلْبَثُوا إِلَّا سَاعَةً مِّنَ النَّهَارِ
“It will be as if they had not stayed (in the world) but an hour of a day.”
[Yūnus: 45]
History testifies that no worldly power could prevent death — not Pharaoh, Qārūn, Hāmān, or Shaddād. They came and left. Disbelievers also do not deny death, but they deny resurrection after death. Allah refutes their claim:
زَعَمَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا أَن لَّن يُبْعَثُوا...
“The disbelievers claim they will never be resurrected. Say: Yes! By my Lord, you will surely be resurrected, then you will be informed of what you did. And that is easy for Allah.”
[at-Taghābun: 7]
❖ Belief in the Hereafter: A Pillar of Faith
Every Muslim believes in the Hereafter — it is one of the six pillars of faith. Based on this belief, it is obligatory upon us to:
- Believe that Allah will resurrect all humans on the Day of Judgment.
- Accept what the Qur’an and Sunnah teach about:
- Barzakh (life in the grave)
- Reward and punishment in the grave
- Blowing of the Trumpet by Israfil عليه السلام
- Resurrection
- Gathering on the Day of Judgement
- Divine Court of Allah
- Accountability
- The Pond of Kawthar
- The Bridge of Ṣirāṭ
- Admission to Paradise or Hell
❖ Preparation for the Hereafter
Allah has repeatedly commanded us in the Qur’an to prepare for the Hereafter:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَلْتَنظُرْ نَفْسٌ مَّا قَدَّمَتْ لِغَدٍ...
“O believers! Be mindful of Allah and let every soul look to what it has sent forth for tomorrow. And fear Allah. Surely, Allah is All-Aware of what you do.”
[al-Ḥashr: 18]
Those who strive for the Hereafter while being believers will have their efforts appreciated by Allah:
وَمَنْ أَرَادَ الْآخِرَةَ وَسَعَىٰ لَهَا سَعْيَهَا وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ...
“Whoever desires the Hereafter, strives for it as he should, and is a believer – it is they whose effort is appreciated.”
[al-Isrāʾ: 19]
وَمَا تُقَدِّمُوا لِأَنفُسِكُم مِّنْ خَيْرٍ...
“Whatever good you send forth for yourselves, you will find it with Allah – better and greater in reward.”
[al-Muzzammil: 20]
❖ The Neglect of the Hereafter
While Islam revolves around preparation for the Hereafter, most Muslims today are heedless of it. Their actions raise concerns whether they even believe in resurrection, judgment, and meeting their Lord.
Allah warns:
اقْتَرَبَ لِلنَّاسِ حِسَابُهُمْ وَهُمْ فِي غَفْلَةٍ مُّعْرِضُونَ
“The time of people's reckoning has drawn near, yet they turn away in heedlessness.”
[al-Anbiyāʾ: 1]
❖ 10 Ways to Develop the Concern for the Hereafter
Here are ten key ways to develop a stronger sense of the Hereafter:
① Live with the Awareness that Allah is Watching
أَلَمْ يَعْلَمْ بِأَنَّ اللَّهَ يَرَى
“Does he not know that Allah sees?”
[al-ʿAlaq: 14]
This awareness protects faith, encourages good deeds, and deters from sin.
② Acquire Taqwā (Piety)
وَتَزَوَّدُوا فَإِنَّ خَيْرَ الزَّادِ التَّقْوَىٰ
“And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is taqwā.”
[al-Baqarah: 197]
Taqwā means fearing Allah, acting upon revelation, being content, and preparing for death.
③ Remember Death Frequently
أَكثروا ذِكرَ هاذمِ اللَّذَّات يعني الموتَ
“Increase the remembrance of the destroyer of pleasures — i.e., death.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ at-Tirmidhī: 2307
Frequent remembrance of death helps detach from worldly pleasures and motivates preparation for the Hereafter.
④ Visit Graves Regularly
“I had forbidden you from visiting graves, but now visit them, for they soften hearts, bring tears to the eyes, and remind of the Hereafter.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Jāmiʿ: 4584
ʿUthmān رضي الله عنه would cry heavily at graves and narrated the Hadith:
“The grave is the first stage of the Hereafter; whoever is saved from it, all that follows will be easier, and whoever is not, what follows will be worse.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Ibn Mājah: 3461
⑤ Reflect on the Stages After Death
Contemplate the severity of death, punishment in the grave, terror of Judgment Day, the hardship of the Ṣirāṭ bridge, and the torment of Hell. Repeatedly listening to reminders from scholars and books will develop awareness and fear.
⑥ Avoid Excessive Love of the World
بَلْ تُؤْثِرُونَ الْحَيَاةَ الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَىٰ
“You prefer the worldly life, while the Hereafter is better and more lasting.”
[al-Aʿlā: 16-17]
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“If the world was worth the wing of a mosquito in the sight of Allah, He would not give a disbeliever even a sip of water from it.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ at-Tirmidhī: 2320
⑦ Purify the Heart and Soul
Hard-heartedness and spiritual pollution prevent concern for the Hereafter. True success lies in purifying the soul:
قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَن تَزَكَّىٰ
“Successful indeed is the one who purifies himself.”
[al-Aʿlā: 14]
⑧ Live Like a Traveler
كُن في الدُّنيا كأنَّكَ غَريبٌ أو عابرُ سبيلٍ...
“Be in this world like a stranger or a traveler.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ at-Tirmidhī: 2333
Ibn ʿUmar رضي الله عنه advised: “Do not expect to reach the evening if you survive till morning, and do not expect to reach the morning if you survive till evening.”
⑨ Recite and Reflect on the Qur’an
The Qur’an is the source of guidance and the key to success in both worlds. Reciting it with understanding inspires hope in Paradise and fear of Hell — both essential for spiritual growth.
⑩ Remain Conscious of Your Muslim Identity Until Death
وَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنتُم مُّسْلِمُونَ
“Do not die except as Muslims.”
[Āl ʿImrān: 102]
وَاعْبُدْ رَبَّكَ حَتَّىٰ يَأْتِيَكَ الْيَقِينُ
“And worship your Lord until certainty (death) comes to you.”
[al-Ḥijr: 99]
❖ Conclusion
These are ten key strategies to develop a concern for the Hereafter. Many more could be added — any action that softens the heart and awakens the soul aids in this purpose.
May Allah instill within us the true awareness of the Hereafter, guide us in preparing for it accordingly, and grant us salvation on the Day of Judgement. Āmīn.
