“And verily, the home of the Hereafter is for those with Taqwa”

[Surah Yusuf: 109]

 The life of this world is often described by Allaah in the Qur’aan to be a deception and a brief passing moment. We are ever being warned of becoming overwhelmed by its glitter and glamour, its charm and riches. While many race after it, we have been cautioned against it. I sat pondering over the state of many people who had established themselves in this world as if to brace themselves for eternity upon its soil – but only to later leave it empty handed.

“And what is the life of this world except a moment of deceiving enjoyment?”

[Surah al-Hadeed: 20]

The reality is that this life is only temporary and this world a dwelling place for a very short time. Our real home is the home of the Hereafter, our permanent place of residence and it is for this that we have been told to strive for. We are constantly reminded to become a people of the Hereafter and not those who give chase to this world only to lose out in the end. We thus remain in pursuit of our true home – the home of the Hereafter.

 The Companions of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) were great examples of believers who made every effort to achieve what is best. They sold the life of this world to attain the Pleasure of their Lord and they raced to arrive at the home of the Hereafter. From them are the likes of Mus’ab ibn ‘Umair (ra) who led a life of fame and fortune, but who abandoned all that because he understood the reality of the life to come. Then we have Abu Bakr (ra) and ‘Abdur-Rahman ibn ‘Auf, to name but a few who spent so much of their wealth and gave it away for the sake of Allaah like a people who did not fear poverty. And then there are others who found nothing dearer to give away then their own lives. They were truly a people of the Hereafter and so they strove and yearned to enter Paradise because home really is where the heart lies…

“And whoever desires the Hereafter and strives for it with its due effort whilst he is a believer, then such are the ones whose striving shall be appreciated.”

[Surah Al-Israa: 19]

It’s upon us to rectify our vision by fixing it upon the Aakhira (hereafter), and thereafter excel in attaining not just Paradise, but the highest part of it – al-Firdaws. Just like the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) taught us and encouraged us that when we ask Allaah, we ask for Jannat al-Firdaws. The fruits of this firm mindset and vision of achieving Paradise and arriving at the doors of the home of the Hereafter are abundant. What’s evident is that this will subsequently create a drive in us to perform deeds of righteousness and race to ascend in rank in the Sight of our Lord.

 Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala) constantly mentions those who “believe and do righteous good deeds” and a well-set vision on the Hereafter and consequent good deeds towards it, can only be due to an already present and firmly established Imaan (belief).

 This sa’iy or striving towards the home of the Hereafter is inseparable from Zuhd – the concept of detaching oneself from the world and its false beauty. It is impossible to race towards the Hereafter whilst being shackled and held back by the chains of this world. It’s a tug-of-war for the soul and a never ending battle which we cannot afford to lose. And Allaah has said about those who fail this great test,

“It was the life of this world that deceived them.”

[Surah Al-An’aam: 130]

We need to adorn ourselves with Taqwa and certainty to see the true state of this world and its real price. When we realise where we stand with regards to the Aakhira, we will begin to strive with our utmost effort and it is then – and only then – that we will have broken the chains of this world and stepped out of the box of deception.

 Part of our endeavour and race to develop righteousness is leaving off sin and transgression, and indeed there is no space in the home of the Hereafter for those who fail to put an end to their mischief as Allah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala) says,

“That home of the Hereafter, We shall assign it to those who do not rebel with pride and oppression in the land, nor cause corruption.”

[Al-Qasas: 83]

However, for most people there is a very sad reality of ‘hubb ad-dunya’ – a great love of this world. Its victims are many and the amount of people it has destroyed are too numerous for us to recollect. There are lessons for us to learn from those who came before us and indeed, it is as Allaah has stated,

“Nay, but you love the present life of this world, and neglect the Hereafter.”

[Surah al-Qiyaamah: 20-21]

We ask Allaah to strengthen us with a certainty that does not break and with Imaan that does not waver. May He aid us through the tests and trials of this world and deliver us from its traps. May He adorn us with the Taqwa which we need to enter our permanent dwellings – our home of the Hereafter.

 “And verily, the home of the Hereafter is for those with Taqwa”

[Surah Yusuf: 109]