Companions رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهُم, and everyone was astonished. When this news reached the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, he said: “O Companions! Why are you astonished?”

They answered: “O Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم! One Companion was more devoted in worship and also attained the rank of martyrdom. Despite this, he entered Paradise later, while the other Companion, who passed away a year later, entered Paradise first. What is the reason for this?”

The beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم replied: “Did the latter Companion not live for an additional year?”

They replied: “Yes, he did.”

He صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم then asked: “Did he not observe an extra year of fasts in Ramadan compared to the martyr?”

The Companions answered: “Yes, he did.”

The Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم asked: “Did the Companion who passed away a year later not perform more prostrations?”

They replied: “Yes, he did.”

The beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم explained: “It is due to this that the difference between them is as vast as the distance between the heavens and the earth.”^[1]

Dear Islamic brothers! Reflect upon this tremendous blessing! Consider our brothers, friends, and relatives who have departed from this world—may Allah Almighty forgive them without accountability. Yet, we are still alive; we still have time. In this new year, we can elevate our ranks by performing more good deeds and repenting from sins.

Therefore, this is truly a station of gratitude. However, if we fail to benefit from the time we have been given—if we neither perform virtuous deeds nor repent