Dear Islamic brothers! You have heard that in spite of reaching old age, the desire of wealth does not disappear. Thus, he remains deprived of the pleasure of worship. To instil the remembrance of death in our hearts and to abandon the love of the world, listen to the translation of 3 Arabic couplets mentioned in the book of Maktaba-tul-Madinah, ‘Aansuon ka Darya’. After seeking forgiveness, make a sincere intention to live the rest of your lives in the worship of Allah.

1.   O elderly man! In the face of old age, you are still indulged in ignorance. It is not appropriate for you to show ignorance [at this age].

2.   Your fate has been made clear by the white hair of your head, but you are inclined to the temporary world that is deceiving you.

3.   Do not hold any regrets over this mortal world, as you will face death one day. Proceed by making such a firm intention which is not adulterated by indecency and immodesty.

Value of the world in comparison to the Hereafter

Sayyiduna Mustawrid bin Shaddaad رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ reports that the final Prophet of Allah صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, ‘By Allah Almighty! The world in comparison to the Hereafter is nothing but as though one of you placed their finger in a sea and then saw how much water comes upon the finger.’

 (Sahih Muslim, p. 1529, Hadith 2858)

Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه states, ‘This example is only to make people understand. Otherwise, the mortal and immortal world are incomparable; like the wetness of a drenched finger has no comparison with the sea.’

‘Remember! The world is something which makes one heedless of the remembrance of Allah Almighty. For the intelligent and wise, this world is a place of harvest for the Hereafter. Even the Salah offered by a heedless person to show off is [considered a part of] his worldliness. On the other hand, a wise man’s eating, drinking, sleeping, waking up, living and even passing away are all considered a part of his religion, as these acts are the Sunnahs of the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. A Muslim should eat, drink, sleep and awaken with the intention of acting upon the Sunnah. Only a life lived in preparation for the Hereafter is successful and blessed.’ (Mirat-ul-Manajih, vol. 7, p. 03)

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب                                                           صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد