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يَٓا اَيُّهَا الَّذ۪ينَ اٰمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ وَلْتَنْظُرْ نَفْسٌ مَا قَدَّمَتْ لِغَدٍۚ وَاتَّقُوا اللّٰهَۜ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ خَب۪يرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ.
وَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللّٰهِ صَلَّي اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ:
مَا أَنَا فِى الدُّنْيَا إِلاَّ كَرَاكِبٍ اِسْتَظَلَّ تَحْتَ شَجَرَةٍ ثُمَّ رَاحَ وَتَرَكَهَا.
ENDLESS LIFE: AKHIRAH (AFTERLIFE)
Honorable Muslims!
It was back in the 'Asr al-Sa'adah. A man entered the Masjid al-Nabawi in a hurry and, with his sonorous voice, asked our Prophet, "O Messenger of Allah, when is the final hour?" He repeated the same question three times without lowering his voice even though the Prophet's Companions beckoned him to hush. The Prophet first led the prayer and then asked, "Where is that person who asked about the final hour?" The man replied, "It is me, o Messenger of Allah." The Prophet asked, "So, what have you prepared for the final hour?" The man replied, "I do not have many good deeds. But I really love Allah and His Messenger very much." The Prophet (saw) said, "A man will be with whom he loves, and you will also be with whom you love."[1] Thus, the Messenger of Allah (saw) reminds his ummah that they should not inquire about when the final hour is but prepare for it.
Dear Believers!
This world is a place of trials and a guesthouse. It is the cropland and preparation stage for the Afterlife. The Afterlife, on the other hand, is the last stop on our path of servitude before eternity. It is our true homeland and eternal residence. It is the place where we shall harvest what we have sown in this life and will undoubtedly account for everything, large or small, good or evil.
Dear Muslims!
Belief in the Afterlife gives significance to our lives, attitudes, and behaviors. It helps us to understand the reason for our creation. It strengthens our faith in, worship for, and obedience to our Lord (swt). It aids in the development of a sense of responsibility for all existence, living and non-living.
Dear Believers!
A person who believes in the Afterlife is aware that they are under divine supervision. They are always well-measured and well-balanced. They are excusive, forgiving, and tolerant. They are patient and resilient in the face of hardships. They never give up hope and they constantly rely on Allah (swt). They seek peace and happiness by having faith in Him and doing deeds to gain His pleasure (swt). For a believer knows,
وَمَنْ يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ شَراًّ يَرَهُ فَمَنْ يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَيْراً يَرَهُۜ
"So whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it. And whoever does an atom's weight of evil will see it."[2]
Dear Muslims!
The Prophet Muhammad (saw) states in one hadith as follows, "Verily, the example of this world and myself is that of a rider who seeks shade under a tree, then he moves on and leaves it behind."[3] Yes, we are all passengers on our way to the Afterlife. We shall leave this world where we have been hosted as guests. When that great day arrives, we shall be confronted with the consequences of our actions in this life. Our book of deeds will be handed to us, the scales of justice will be set up, and we will be brought to account. We shall be rewarded for every good deed we have done, but we will also be punished for every sin we have committed. Happy are those who account for themselves before death and prepare for after death! Happy are those whose book of deeds shall be handed to them from the right hand side! Happy are those who shall be given a life with which they shall be pleased!
I would like to conclude this Friday's khutbah with our Lord's (swt) following verse: "O you who have believed! Fear Allah and let every soul look to what it has put forth for tomorrow. Fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is acquainted with what you do."[4]
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[1] Tirmidhi, Zuhd, 50.
[2] Zalzalah, 99/7, 8.
[3] Tirmidhi, Zuhd, 44.
[4] Hashr, 59/18.
General Directorate of Religious Services