The Reality of This World and the Hereafter in the Light of the Qur'an and Hadith
Written by: Qari Usama bin Abdus Salam
In the light of the Qur'an and Hadith, the value of the Hereafter compared to this world is extremely great, elevated, and eternal, whereas this world is temporary, fleeting, and a place of trial. Let us clarify this difference through some evidences and examples:
The Qur'an states:
وَإِنَّ ٱلدَّارَ ٱلْءَاخِرَةَ لَهِىَ ٱلْحَيَوَانُ ۚ لَوْ كَانُوا۟ يَعْلَمُونَ
“And indeed, the home of the Hereafter — that is the [true] life, if only they knew!”
[Al-‘Ankabut 29:64]
Meaning: The life of this world is nothing but play, amusement, and deception, while the life of the Hereafter is the real and everlasting life.
The Noble Prophet ﷺ said:
موضع سوط أحدكم من الجنة خير من الدنيا وما فيها
“The space of the whip of one of you in Paradise is better than the whole world and whatever is in it.”
[Sahih al-Bukhari: 2796, Sahih Muslim: 188]
Meaning: Even a hand-span of Paradise is more valuable than all of this world and its pleasures.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
ما الدنيا في الآخرة إلا مثل ما يجعل أحدكم إصبعه في اليم، فلينظر بم يرجع؟
“The worldly life in comparison to the Hereafter is like one of you dipping his finger into the sea; let him see what it returns with.”
[Sahih Muslim: 2858]
Meaning: The world is like a single drop, while the Hereafter is an endless ocean.
In the Noble Qur'an, Allah ﷻ says:
وَإِنَّ يَوْمًا عِندَ رَبِّكَ كَأَلْفِ سَنَةٍ مِّمَّا تَعُدُّونَ
“Indeed, a day with your Lord is like a thousand years of what you count.”
[Al-Hajj 22:47]
Meaning: In terms of time, weight, value, and importance — the scale of the Hereafter far surpasses that of this world.
ٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّمَا ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَا لَعِبٌۭ وَلَهْوٌۭ وَزِينَةٌۭ وَتَفَاخُرٌۭ بَيْنَكُمْ وَتَكَاثُرٌۭ فِى ٱلْأَمْوَٰلِ وَٱلْأَوْلَـٰدِ…
“Know that the life of this world is but play, amusement, adornment, boasting among you, and rivalry in wealth and children…”
[Al-Hadid 57:20]
This World:
The Hereafter:
ابْتَغِ فِيمَآ ءَاتَىٰكَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلدَّارَ ٱلْءَاخِرَةَ ۖ وَلَا تَنسَ نَصِيبَكَ مِنَ ٱلدُّنْيَا…
“Seek, with what Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter, and do not forget your share of this world…”
[Al-Qasas 28:77]
Using the world only as a means, while making the Hereafter the ultimate destination — that is true wisdom.
Written by: Qari Usama bin Abdus Salam
The Value of the Hereafter Compared to This World
In the light of the Qur'an and Hadith, the value of the Hereafter compared to this world is extremely great, elevated, and eternal, whereas this world is temporary, fleeting, and a place of trial. Let us clarify this difference through some evidences and examples:
The World is Temporary, the Hereafter is Everlasting
The Qur'an states:
وَإِنَّ ٱلدَّارَ ٱلْءَاخِرَةَ لَهِىَ ٱلْحَيَوَانُ ۚ لَوْ كَانُوا۟ يَعْلَمُونَ
“And indeed, the home of the Hereafter — that is the [true] life, if only they knew!”
[Al-‘Ankabut 29:64]
Meaning: The life of this world is nothing but play, amusement, and deception, while the life of the Hereafter is the real and everlasting life.
One Moment of the Hereafter > The Whole World
The Noble Prophet ﷺ said:
موضع سوط أحدكم من الجنة خير من الدنيا وما فيها
“The space of the whip of one of you in Paradise is better than the whole world and whatever is in it.”
[Sahih al-Bukhari: 2796, Sahih Muslim: 188]
Meaning: Even a hand-span of Paradise is more valuable than all of this world and its pleasures.
The World Compared to the Hereafter is Just a Drop
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
ما الدنيا في الآخرة إلا مثل ما يجعل أحدكم إصبعه في اليم، فلينظر بم يرجع؟
“The worldly life in comparison to the Hereafter is like one of you dipping his finger into the sea; let him see what it returns with.”
[Sahih Muslim: 2858]
Meaning: The world is like a single drop, while the Hereafter is an endless ocean.
One Day of the Hereafter > A Thousand Years
In the Noble Qur'an, Allah ﷻ says:
وَإِنَّ يَوْمًا عِندَ رَبِّكَ كَأَلْفِ سَنَةٍ مِّمَّا تَعُدُّونَ
“Indeed, a day with your Lord is like a thousand years of what you count.”
[Al-Hajj 22:47]
Meaning: In terms of time, weight, value, and importance — the scale of the Hereafter far surpasses that of this world.
The World is Alluring but Deceptive
ٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّمَا ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَا لَعِبٌۭ وَلَهْوٌۭ وَزِينَةٌۭ وَتَفَاخُرٌۭ بَيْنَكُمْ وَتَكَاثُرٌۭ فِى ٱلْأَمْوَٰلِ وَٱلْأَوْلَـٰدِ…
“Know that the life of this world is but play, amusement, adornment, boasting among you, and rivalry in wealth and children…”
[Al-Hadid 57:20]
Conclusion
This World:
- Temporary, fleeting, deceptive
- A place of trial
The Hereafter:
- Eternal, real, valuable
- The true life and the place of reward
Advice
ابْتَغِ فِيمَآ ءَاتَىٰكَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلدَّارَ ٱلْءَاخِرَةَ ۖ وَلَا تَنسَ نَصِيبَكَ مِنَ ٱلدُّنْيَا…
“Seek, with what Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter, and do not forget your share of this world…”
[Al-Qasas 28:77]
Using the world only as a means, while making the Hereafter the ultimate destination — that is true wisdom.
