The Reality of Man: From Deception to Truth
❖ Just This Much Reality…
When man enters this world, every eye eagerly awaits to welcome him. Smiles, joy, congratulations, prayers, and caravans of hopes become attached to his existence. Yet, hardly anyone realizes that this caravan is, in fact, the journey of his return — and its end is none other than the embrace of soil.
Qur’anic Depiction of Reality
Allah ﷻ describes the reality of man in the Qur’an:
كَمَثَلِ غَيْثٍ أَعْجَبَ الْكُفَّارَ نَبَاتُهُ
“Its likeness is as rain whose (growth) pleases the farmers…” (Al-Ḥadīd: 20)
Man Like a Plant
Indeed, man is just like a plant.
When a stalk of wheat sprouts, how fresh and delightful it appears! It becomes the center of attention. Everyone prays for it and rejoices over its growth. It grows, expands, and waves beautifully. People benefit from its shade.
But gradually, this very plant begins to yellow, weakens, and then one day is cut down by storm or sickle.
Such is the reality of man.
The True Story of Life
Whether a king on a throne or a laborer sleeping on the roadside — all share the same tale:
◈ In the beginning, weakness
◈ In the middle, the illusion of strength
◈ In the end, perishing
The Deception of Life
We are deceived by the glamour of this life. Wealth, fame, power, and status are mistaken as real strength. Yet, as time passes, all fades away. Relationships break, the body weakens, and finally, the grave embraces man.
Reality and Success
So what is the true reality?
The true reality is that only he is successful who, in this brief life, recognizes his Lord, lives according to His pleasure, and prepares himself for that Day when only intentions will have worth.
The Field Analogy
Life is a field. Whatever is sown here, that alone will grow. If thorns are planted instead of wheat, the end will be accordingly bitter.
Therefore, the time is still here to:
◈ Reform ourselves
◈ Detach from false grandeur
◈ Strive for real peace and Allah’s pleasure
Because the reality of man… is just this much!
