Be in this world as if you were a stranger or a traveler.

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Be in this world as if you were a stranger or a traveler.” [Bukhari]

The above narration clearly indicates that we are in this world for a purpose and not for entertainment. We are like travelers during this life on earth. A traveler has a final destination that he/she is eager to reach. They need to use the time of their stop-over wisely, so as not to miss their connecting flight.

We should remember that earth is not our final destination. We have been encouraged to utilize the blessings Allah has put here for our use, yet we are told not to lose sight of the temporary nature of this life, and to use it to make preparations for the next life. Our souls are on a journey. Remembering death defeats joy. It kills our tastebuds for the pleasures of this life. But it is the only wise thing to do, in our own interest.

Concerning the life of this world Hazrat Esa (alaihis salaam) said, "This world is like a bridge, cross it and do not build on it."  This life is a bridge from our previous existence as soul to our next existence in the grave, then on the Day of Judgement, then either in The Garden or (Allah Forbid) The Fire. Houses are built on land, connected by bridges where the need arises. The most appropriate place to build, the focus of our attention, should be the land that we will set foot on once we cross the bridge that is our earthly existence. Where are you focused on building? On land, or on a delicate bridge that can collapse anytime with your death?

Allah's Gift

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Allah will say to the inhabitants of Paradise: ‘O inhabitants of Paradise!.... Are you contented?’ And they will say: ‘And how should we not be contented, O Lord, when You have given to us that which You have given to no one else of Your creation?’” [Bukhari]

Out of all His creations, Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) chose you to give eternal life to. He made Jannat for you. Allah wishes to be with you for eternity. For this He bestows eternal life to you. After you reach Jannat you become immortal. The ultimate pleasure in Jannat is that you will be allowed to look at Allah’s face. All that exists is perishable except Allah’s face. [Al-Quran 28:88] Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) tells us that He was a hidden treasure. He created us so that we could have this treasure. Those who realize this are intense in their love of their Lord. [Al-Quran 2:165]

Allah’s justice demanded that He ask us to do something, no matter how insignificant, in exchange for which we are loved more than all creation and granted immortality. So He gave us free will – the choice to recognize Him or deny Him. But He loaded the scales heavily in favour of our being able to recognize Him. He created all our souls at the time that He created Adam (alaihis salam) and we all testified to Allah being our Creator and Cherisher at that time. Our testimony is embedded in our sub-conscious mind, because of which we know instinctively that He is to be worshipped and that the beauty of the universe is His doing.

May we Love Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) as He should be loved, and may we worship Him as He should be worshipped. A dua made by a bedouin that particularly impressed Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) was:

“Oh Allah; Make my best day – the Day that I meet you.”