This article is essentially based on the comparison between this world and the Hereafter, in which, in the light of the blessed verses of the Holy Quran and the authentic sayings of the Holy Prophet ﷺ, it is made clear that despite all its adornments, glitter, and temporary prosperity, this world is very insignificant, perishable, and worthless compared to the Hereafter, while the Hereafter is eternal, everlasting, and the place of true success.
The purpose of this article is that a person recognizes the temporary reality of this world, does not fall into its deception, and uses his life to prepare for the Hereafter. Instead of considering the world as the ultimate destination, one should regard it as a temporary passage and spend time in obedience to Allah Almighty.
The Reality of the World and Its Status Compared to the Hereafter
Respected readers!
Despite all its adornments, beauties, and splendors, the world is extremely insignificant compared to the Hereafter and has no permanent status. The Holy Prophet ﷺ clearly explained the difference between the world and the Hereafter with a very eloquent example.
Hadith of the Prophet ﷺ
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(( مَا الدُّنْیَا فِی الْآخِرَۃِ إِلَّا مِثْلُ مَا یَجْعَلُ أَحَدُکُمْ إِصْبَعَہُ هٰذِهِ – وَأَشَارَ بِالسَّبَّابَةِ – فِی الْیَمِّ، فَلْیَنْظُرْ بِمَ یَرْجِعُ ))
Translation:
“The example of this world compared to the Hereafter is like a person who dips his finger in the sea and then observes how much water comes out with that finger.”
Two Important Meanings of the Hadith
➊ The Shortness of the World’s Lifespan
One meaning of this hadith is that just as the water on a finger quickly dries up, similarly the life of this world is very short and will soon come to an end, while the water of the sea remains, likewise the blessings of the Hereafter will last forever.
This hadith clearly points to the reality that no matter how many thousands of years the world lasts, it is extremely short compared to the Hereafter, just like the water on a finger is negligible compared to the water of the sea.
The Reality of the World on the Day of Judgment
In the Holy Quran, it is stated at several places that when the disbelievers witness the horrors of the Day of Judgment, the life of this world will seem to them to have lasted only a few moments.
Quranic Verse
﴿ كَأَنَّهُمْ يَوْمَ يَرَوْنَهَا لَمْ يَلْبَثُوا إِلَّا عَشِيَّةً أَوْ ضُحَاهَا ﴾
Translation:
“When they see the Day of Resurrection, it will seem to them as if they had only stayed for an evening or a morning in the world.”
Similarly, at another place it is said:
﴿ كَأَنَّهُمْ يَوْمَ يَرَوْنَ مَا يُوعَدُونَ لَمْ يَلْبَثُوا إِلَّا سَاعَةً مِّن نَّهَارٍ ﴾
Translation:
“The Day they will see that which they were warned of, it will seem to them as if they had only stayed for an hour of the day in the world.”
And it is said:
﴿ وَيَوْمَ يَحْشُرُهُمْ كَأَن لَّمْ يَلْبَثُوا إِلَّا سَاعَةً مِّنَ النَّهَارِ يَتَعَارَفُونَ بَيْنَهُمْ ﴾
Translation:
“And the Day Allah will gather them, it will seem to them as if they had only remained for an hour of the day, and they will be busy recognizing one another.”
From these blessed verses, it becomes clear that no matter how long the life of this world is, it is equivalent to only a moment compared to the Hereafter.
Advice
Therefore, it is necessary for a wise person to spend this short time in the obedience of Allah Almighty, so that he may be blessed with eternal blessings in the Hereafter.
➋ The scarcity of the world and the vastness of the Hereafter
The second meaning of the Hadith is that the water on the fingertip is the world, and the rest of the ocean is the Hereafter. That is, the world is very limited, finite, and perishable compared to the Hereafter, while the Hereafter is immensely vast, great, and unlimited, beyond the comprehension of human intellect.
This reality can be estimated from the fact that the width of Paradise alone is equal to the heavens and the earth.
Quranic Verse
﴿ وَسَارِعُوا إِلَىٰ مَغْفِرَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَجَنَّةٍ عَرْضُهَا السَّمَاوَاتُ وَالْأَرْضُ أُعِدَّتْ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ ﴾
Translation:
“And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a garden as wide as the heavens and earth, prepared for the righteous.”
The greatness of the Hereafter and the blessings of Paradise
Numerous verses of the Holy Quran and authentic Hadiths of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ explicitly explain the reality that the blessings of the Hereafter are not only far greater than those of this world but are also unparalleled in their nature, vastness, and permanence.
Description of the Vastness of Paradise
Allah Almighty says at another place:
﴿ سَابِقُوا إِلَىٰ مَغْفِرَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَجَنَّةٍ عَرْضُهَا كَعَرْضِ السَّمَاءِ وَالْأَرْضِ أُعِدَّتْ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا بِاللّٰهِ وَرُسُلِهِ ذَٰلِكَ فَضْلُ اللّٰهِ يُؤْتِيهِ مَن يَشَاءُ وَاللّٰهُ ذُو الْفَضْلِ الْعَظِيمِ ﴾
Translation:
“Compete with one another in seeking forgiveness from your Lord and in obtaining Paradise whose width is equal to the heavens and the earth, prepared for those who believe in Allah and His messengers. That is the bounty of Allah which He gives to whom He wills, and Allah is the possessor of great bounty.”
When the width of Paradise itself is equal to the heavens and the earth, then its length and its blessings are beyond human comprehension.
The Virtue of a Small Part of Paradise
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
(( مَوْضِعُ سَوْطٍ فِي الْجَنَّةِ خَيْرٌ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا وَمَا فِيهَا، وَلَغَدْوَةٌ فِي سَبِيلِ اللّٰهِ أَوْ رَوْحَةٌ خَيْرٌ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا وَمَا فِيهَا ))
Translation:
“A space in Paradise equal to a whip is better than the world and everything in it, and setting out in the way of Allah in the morning or evening is better than the world and everything in it.”
This hadith is clear evidence that even a small part of Paradise is far more valuable and better than the entire world and all its treasures, comforts, and pleasures.
The Transience of Worldly Life
The world is not only insignificant compared to the Hereafter but is also very temporary and quickly comes to an end in itself.
The Example of the World is Like a Crop
Allah Almighty says:
﴿ إِنَّمَا مَثَلُ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا كَمَاءٍ أَنزَلْنَاهُ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ فَاخْتَلَطَ بِهِ نَبَاتُ الْأَرْضِ مِمَّا يَأْكُلُ النَّاسُ وَالْأَنْعَامُ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا أَخَذَتِ الْأَرْضُ زُخْرُفَهَا وَازَّيَّنَتْ وَظَنَّ أَهْلُهَا أَنَّهُمْ قَادِرُونَ عَلَيْهَا أَتَاهَا أَمْرُنَا لَيْلًا أَوْ نَهَارًا فَجَعَلْنَاهَا حَصِيدًا كَأَن لَّمْ تَغْنَ بِالْأَمْسِ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ نُفَصِّلُ الْآيَاتِ لِقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ ﴾
Translation:
“The example of the life of this world is like when We send down water from the sky, then the plants of the earth become lush and dense, which humans and animals eat, until the earth reaches its full beauty and its owners think that they have full control over it. Then suddenly Our command comes by night or by day, and We cut it down as if nothing had been there yesterday. Thus do We explain the signs for those who reflect.”
This example clarifies that just as a crop appears green and flourishing at one moment and then suddenly gets destroyed, similarly human life, after youth, strength, and prosperity, suddenly ends by death.
The Reality of the World: Play, Spectacle, and Deception
Allah Almighty further says:
﴿ اعْلَمُوا أَنَّمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا لَعِبٌ وَلَهْوٌ وَزِينَةٌ وَتَفَاخُرٌ بَيْنَكُمْ وَتَكَاثُرٌ فِي الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَوْلَادِ … وَمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا مَتَاعُ الْغُرُورِ ﴾
Translation:
“Know well that the life of this world is nothing but play, amusement, adornment, mutual boasting, and competition in increase of wealth and children… and the life of this world is merely a provision for deception.”
This verse warns a person that the apparent glitter of the world is nothing but deception, which makes a person heedless of the Hereafter.
The Contempt of the World: In the Light of Ahadith
Example of the Dead Goat’s Kid
Hazrat Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ passed through the market and saw a dead goat’s kid whose ears were small. He ﷺ said:
(( فَوَاللّٰهِ لَلدُّنْيَا أَهْوَنُ عَلَى اللّٰهِ مِنْ هٰذَا عَلَيْكُمْ ))
Translation:
“By Allah! The world is even more contemptible to Allah than this is to you.”
Even Less Worth than a Mosquito’s Wing
The Prophet ﷺ said:
(( لَوْ كَانَتِ الدُّنْيَا تَعْدِلُ عِندَ اللّٰهِ جَنَاحَ بَعُوضَةٍ مَا سَقَى الْكَافِرَ مِنْهَا شَرْبَةَ مَاءٍ ))
Translation:
“If the world were equal to the wing of a mosquito in the sight of Allah, He would not give a disbeliever even a sip of water from it.”
The World is a Trial
The outward glitter of the world, its pleasures, and comforts are actually a great test and trial. This is why the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ repeatedly warned his Ummah about the trials of the world.
Prophetic Hadith ﷺ
Hazrat Abu Saeed Khudri رضي الله عنه narrates that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
(( إِنَّ الدُّنْيَا حُلْوَةٌ خَضِرَةٌ، وَإِنَّ اللّٰهَ مُسْتَخْلِفُكُمْ فِيهَا فَيَنْظُرُ كَيْفَ تَعْمَلُونَ، فَاتَّقُوا الدُّنْيَا وَاتَّقُوا النِّسَاءَ، فَإِنَّ أَوَّلَ فِتْنَةِ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ كَانَتْ فِي النِّسَاءِ ))
Translation:
“Indeed, the world is sweet and green, and Allah has appointed you as His vicegerents in it to see how you act. So keep away from the world and also keep away from the trials of women, for the first trial of the Children of Israel was concerning women.”
This hadith clarifies that the world itself is not bad, but the trials arising from it cause a person to become heedless of Allah.
Advising to live in the world like a stranger and traveler
The Noble Prophet ﷺ used to teach his companions رضي الله عنهم not to consider the world as their real home but to live in it as a temporary passage.
Prophetic Hadith ﷺ
Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar رضي الله عنهما narrates:
(( كُنْ فِي الدُّنْيَا كَأَنَّكَ غَرِيبٌ أَوْ عَابِرُ سَبِيلٍ ))
Translation:
“Live in this world as if you are a stranger or a traveler on a path.”
Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar رضي الله عنهما himself used to say:
(( إِذَا أَمْسَيْتَ فَلَا تَنْتَظِرِ الصَّبَاحَ، وَإِذَا أَصْبَحْتَ فَلَا تَنْتَظِرِ الْمَسَاءَ، وَخُذْ مِنْ صِحَّتِكَ لِمَرَضِكَ، وَمِنْ حَيَاتِكَ لِمَوْتِكَ ))
Translation:
“When evening comes, do not expect the morning, and when morning comes, do not expect the evening. Collect good deeds with your health for sickness, and prepare provisions from your life for death.”
Explanation of the Meaning of the Hadith
In Musnad Ahmad, the words of the same hadith are as follows:
(( كُنْ فِي الدُّنْيَا كَأَنَّكَ غَرِيبٌ أَوْ عَابِرُ سَبِيلٍ، وَعُدَّ نَفْسَكَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْقُبُورِ ))
Translation:
“Live in this world like a stranger or a traveler, and count yourself among the people of the grave.”
A stranger has no permanent home, and a traveler stays temporarily somewhere on the way but his heart is attached to the destination. Similarly, the heart of a believer should be attached to the destination of the Hereafter.
Explanation by Imam Nawawi رحمه الله
Imam Nawawi رحمه الله says in his explanation of this hadith:
( لَا تَرْكَنْ إِلَى الدُّنْيَا، وَلَا تَتَّخِذْهَا وَطَنًا، وَلَا تُحَدِّثْ نَفْسَكَ بِالْبَقَاءِ فِيهَا، وَلَا تَتَعَلَّقْ مِنْهَا بِمَا لَا يَتَعَلَّقُ بِهِ الْغَرِيبُ فِي غَيْرِ وَطَنِهِ )
Translation:
“Do not turn towards the world, do not make it your home, do not desire to live in it forever, and do not attach your heart to those things in it to which no stranger attaches his heart outside his homeland.”
Prohibition of excessive attachment to the world
Hazrat Abdullah bin Masood (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(( لَا تَتَّخِذُوا الضَّيْعَةَ فَتَرْغَبُوا فِي الدُّنْيَا ))
Translation:
“Do not accumulate great wealth and property lest you become inclined towards the world.”
The purpose of this hadith is not to declare worldly means as forbidden, but to prevent becoming so engrossed in them that one neglects the religion.
Taking less from the world and encouraging concern for the Hereafter
An effective way to avoid the trials of the world is that a person takes from the world according to need and does not make his heart captive to it. The Companions of the Prophet (may Allah be pleased with them) were the most cautious in this matter.
An incident of a Companion
Abu Wa’il narrates that Hazrat Muawiyah رضي الله عنه went to visit Abu Hashim bin Utbah رضي الله عنه and saw that he was crying.
Hazrat Muawiyah رضي الله عنه asked:
“Uncle! Why are you crying? Is it because of pain or because of the desire for the world?”
He replied:
“Not because of the desire for the world, but the matter is that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ took a pledge from me, and I fear that I have not fully upheld that pledge. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ told me that for you, one servant and one mount for jihad in the way of Allah are sufficient from all your wealth, whereas today I feel that I have accumulated more than that.”
This narration is clear evidence that a believer should be content with little in this world and keep the real concern for the Hereafter.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ’s Disinterest in the World
The Holy Prophet ﷺ himself was the most indifferent to the world, even though if he ﷺ had wished, Allah Almighty would have granted him all the comforts of the world.
The Incident of Sleeping on a Mat
Hazrat Abdullah bin Masood رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ slept on a mat, and when he ﷺ got up, the marks of the mat were on his side.
We said:
“O Messenger of Allah! If we make a bed for you?”
He ﷺ said:
(( مَالِي وَلِلدُّنْيَا، مَا أَنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا كَرَاكِبٍ اسْتَظَلَّ تَحْتَ شَجَرَةٍ، ثُمَّ رَاحَ وَتَرَكَهَا ))
Translation:
“What relation do I have with the world! I am like a rider in this world who stops under a tree for a short rest, then leaves it and moves on.”
Caesar and Khosrow and the Asceticism of the Prophet ﷺ
Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that he went to meet the Prophet ﷺ and saw that he ﷺ was sitting on a mat, with a leather pillow under his head filled with date palm bark, and there were marks of the mat on his side.
Seeing this scene, Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) began to cry.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Umar! Why are you crying?”
He replied:
“O Messenger of Allah! Caesar and Khosrow are living in luxury and you, the Messenger of Allah, are in this condition!”
Then the Prophet ﷺ said:
(( أَمَا تَرْضَى أَنْ تَكُونَ لَهُمُ الدُّنْيَا وَلَنَا الْآخِرَةُ ))
Translation:
“Are you not pleased that the world is for them and the Hereafter is for us?”
This incident is clear evidence that the Prophet ﷺ had no love for this world, rather his focus was solely on the Hereafter.
The Importance of Deeds for the Hereafter
Since the world is temporary and the Hereafter is everlasting, wisdom demands that a person make the Hereafter the main focus of their efforts and struggle.
Guidance of the Holy Quran
Allah Almighty says:
﴿ بَلْ تُؤْثِرُونَ الْحَيَاةَ الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَىٰ ﴾
Translation:
“Rather, you prefer the life of this world, while the Hereafter is better and more lasting.”
Similarly He said:
﴿ وَمَا أُوتِيتُم مِّن شَيْءٍ فَمَتَاعُ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَزِينَتُهَا ۖ وَمَا عِندَ اللّٰهِ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَىٰ ۚ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ ﴾
Translation:
“Whatever you have been given is the enjoyment of the life of this world and its adornment, but what is with Allah is better and more lasting. Do you not then use reason?”
For whom are the blessings of the Hereafter?
The Holy Quran has repeatedly made it clear that the eternal and great blessings with Allah in the Hereafter are not for everyone but for servants possessing specific qualities.
Quranic Verse
Allah Almighty says:
﴿ فَمَا أُوتِيتُم مِّن شَيْءٍ فَمَتَاعُ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَمَا عِندَ اللّٰهِ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَىٰ ﴾
Translation:
“Whatever you have been given is the provision of the life of this world, but what is with Allah is better and more lasting.”
Then He said who these eternal blessings are for:
﴿ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ ﴾
Translation:
“This is for those who have believed and put their trust in their Lord alone.”
Characteristics of the Believers
Allah Almighty further states:
﴿ وَالَّذِينَ يَجْتَنِبُونَ كَبَائِرَ الْإِثْمِ وَالْفَوَاحِشَ وَإِذَا مَا غَضِبُوا هُمْ يَغْفِرُونَ وَالَّذِينَ اسْتَجَابُوا لِرَبِّهِمْ وَأَقَامُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَأَمْرُهُمْ شُورَىٰ بَيْنَهُمْ وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ ﴾
Translation:
“And those who avoid great sins and indecencies, and when they are angry, they forgive. And those who respond to their Lord’s command, establish prayer, conduct their affairs by mutual consultation, and spend out of what We have provided them.”
From these verses, it is clear that success in the Hereafter is connected with faith, piety, worship, good character, and reliance on Allah, not with worldly wealth.
The Trial of Worldly Desires
Allah has made many things of this world appear attractive to humans so that they may be tested.
Quranic Verse
﴿ زُيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ حُبُّ الشَّهَوَاتِ مِنَ النِّسَاءِ وَالْبَنِينَ وَالْقَنَاطِيرِ الْمُقَنطَرَةِ مِنَ الذَّهَبِ وَالْفِضَّةِ وَالْخَيْلِ الْمُسَوَّمَةِ وَالْأَنْعَامِ وَالْحَرْثِ ﴾
Translation:
“Beautified for people is the love of desires, such as women, children, stored-up treasures of gold and silver, fine horses, cattle, and farmland.”
Then clarifying the reality of all these, He said:
﴿ ذَٰلِكَ مَتَاعُ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَاللّٰهُ عِندَهُ حُسْنُ الْمَآبِ ﴾
Translation:
“All this is the provision of the worldly life, and the best abode is with Allah.”
The Best of All These Things
Allah Almighty, addressing mankind, says:
﴿ قُلْ أَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِخَيْرٍ مِّن ذَٰلِكُمْ ۚ لِلَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ جَنَّاتٌ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا وَأَزْوَاجٌ مُّطَهَّرَةٌ وَرِضْوَانٌ مِّنَ اللّٰهِ ﴾
Translation:
“Say! Shall I inform you of something better than all these? For those who fear Allah, there are gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever, purified spouses, and the pleasure of Allah.”
The Consequence of Worldliness
Those who drown in worldly desires and remain heedless of Allah’s religion, the Quran warns that a time will come when they will regret and wish to return to the world, but that opportunity will not be granted again.
Quranic Verses
﴿ وَأَنِيبُوا إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُمْ وَأَسْلِمُوا لَهُ مِن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَكُمُ الْعَذَابُ ثُمَّ لَا تُنصَرُونَ وَاتَّبِعُوا أَحْسَنَ مَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكُم مِّن رَّبِّكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَكُمُ الْعَذَابُ بَغْتَةً وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَشْعُرُونَ أَن تَقُولَ نَفْسٌ يَا حَسْرَتَىٰ عَلَىٰ مَا فَرَّطتُ فِي جَنبِ اللّٰهِ… ﴾
Translation:
“And turn to your Lord and submit to Him before the punishment comes upon you; then you will not be helped. And follow the best of what has been revealed to you from your Lord before the punishment comes suddenly upon you while you do not perceive it. Lest a soul should say, ‘Alas for me! I neglected Allah’s right and I was among the mockers…’ Or it says, ‘If only Allah had guided me, I would have been among the righteous…’ Or when it sees the punishment, it says, ‘If only I had another chance, I would be among the doers of good.’”
The Vastness of the Blessings of Paradise: The Lowest and the Highest Rank
The extent of the blessings of the Hereafter can be understood from the fact that even the lowest-ranking person in Paradise will be granted a kingdom far greater than the empires of the greatest kings of this world.
Prophetic Hadith ﷺ
Hazrat Mughirah bin Shu’bah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
Hazrat Musa (Moses) عليه السلام asked Allah Almighty:
O my Lord! What will the lowest ranking person in Paradise be like?
Allah Almighty said: He will be the person who will come after the people of Paradise have entered Paradise. He will be told: Enter Paradise.
He will say: O my Lord! How can I enter when all the people have taken their homes and received their rewards?
He will be told: Are you pleased that you be given a kingdom equal to the kingdom of one of the kings of the world?
He will say: O my Lord! I am pleased.
Allah will say: I have given you a kingdom like that, then another like that, then another like that, then another like that, then another like that.
He will say: O my Lord! I am pleased.
Allah will say:
(( هٰذَا لَكَ وَعَشَرَةُ أَمْثَالِهِ، وَلَكَ مَا اشْتَهَتْ نَفْسُكَ وَلَذَّتْ عَيْنُكَ ))
“This (all) is for you and ten times more than that, and for you is everything your heart desires and what your eyes find delightful.”
Then Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) asked: O my Lord! How will the highest-ranking people in Paradise be?
Allah Almighty said:
(( أُولٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ أَرَدْتُّ، غَرَسْتُ كَرَامَتَهُمْ بِيَدِي، وَخَتَمْتُ عَلَيْهَا، فَلَمْ تَرَ عَيْنٌ، وَلَمْ تَسْمَعْ أُذُنٌ، وَلَمْ يَخْطُرْ عَلَىٰ قَلْبِ بَشَرٍ ))
Translation:
“These are the people whom I have personally chosen, honored with My own hand, and sealed with My seal. For them are blessings that no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human heart has conceived.”
This reality is also confirmed by Allah Almighty’s statement:
﴿ فَلَا تَعْلَمُ نَفْسٌ مَّا أُخْفِيَ لَهُم مِّن قُرَّةِ أَعْيُنٍ ﴾
Translation:
“No soul knows what delights of the eyes are kept hidden for them.”
The story of the last person to enter Paradise
Hazrat Abdullah bin Masood (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(A long hadith in which the last person to enter Paradise, his request for the shade of trees, and finally being granted blessings equivalent to this world and ten more such worlds is mentioned)
This hadith makes it clear that even the least blessing of Paradise is far greater than all the prosperity of this world.
Second Sermon: The Reality of Prosperity and Hardship in This World
The Holy Prophet ﷺ explained the difference between this world and the Hereafter with another example:
Prophetic Hadith ﷺ
(( يُؤْتَىٰ بِأَنْعَمِ أَهْلِ الدُّنْيَا مِنْ أَهْلِ النَّارِ فَيُصْبَغُ فِي النَّارِ صَبْغَةً، ثُمَّ يُقَالُ لَهُ: هَلْ رَأَيْتَ خَيْرًا قَطُّ؟ فَيَقُولُ: لَا وَاللّٰهِ يَا رَبِّ ))
“The person with the most blessings in this world (who will be among the people of Hell) will be brought, then he will be immersed in Hell for a moment. Then he will be asked: Have you ever seen any goodness? He will say: No, by Allah! O my Lord!”
And then he said:
(( وَيُؤْتَىٰ بِأَشَدِّ النَّاسِ بُؤْسًا فِي الدُّنْيَا مِنْ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ فَيُصْبَغُ فِي الْجَنَّةِ صَبْغَةً، فَيُقَالُ لَهُ: هَلْ مَرَّ بِكَ بُؤْسٌ قَطُّ؟ فَيَقُولُ: لَا وَاللّٰهِ يَا رَبِّ ))
Translation:
“The most prosperous person in Hell will be brought and immersed in Hell for a moment, then asked: Have you ever seen prosperity? He will say: No, O my Lord!
And the most distressed person in Paradise will be brought, immersed in Paradise for a moment, then asked: Have you ever seen distress? He will say: No, O my Lord!”
The world is a prison for the believer
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
( اَلدُّنْيَا سِجْنُ الْمُؤْمِنِ وَجَنَّةُ الْكَافِرِ )
Translation:
“The world is a prison for the believer and Paradise for the disbeliever.”
Four types of people
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(( إِنَّمَا الدُّنْيَا لِأَرْبَعَةِ نَفَرٍ ))
“Indeed, the world is only for four types of people.”
Then four types are described:
➊ The one whom Allah has given wealth and knowledge and uses them correctly — the highest rank
➋ The one who has been given knowledge but not wealth, but has a good intention — equal reward
➌ The one who has been given wealth but not knowledge — the worst rank
➍ The one who has neither knowledge nor wealth but has bad intentions — equal sin
This hadith invites every person to self-accountability.
Balance Between This World and the Hereafter
Allah Almighty says:
﴿ وَابْتَغِ فِيمَا آتَاكَ اللّٰهُ الدَّارَ الْآخِرَةَ وَلَا تَنسَ نَصِيبَكَ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا ﴾
Translation:
“Seek the home of the Hereafter with what Allah has given you, and do not forget your share of the world.”
Conclusion
The deception of this world is temporary, and the blessings of the Hereafter are everlasting.
Whoever sacrifices the Hereafter for the world is unfortunate, and whoever makes the world subordinate to the Hereafter is the true successful one.
May Allah Almighty protect us from the trials of this world, grant us the ability to prepare for the Hereafter, and admit us into Jannat al-Firdous. Ameen.
