least thinkabout one issue at one point in their lives: living along
life, and to avoid dying if at all possible... Scientists have been
devoting serious effort to this end for many centuries, and have tried
to find formulas to make people live a longer life. However, to this
day, no progress has been made. Hence, with the verse, "Wedid not give
any human being before you immortality. And if you die, will they then
be immortal? Every self will taste death. We test you with both good
and evil as a trial. And you will bereturned to Us," (Surat
al-Anbiya': 34-35) Allah instructs us that each person was created
mortal, a fact which each will certainly face at his appointed time.
Regardless of the fact that people refrain from thinking or accepting
the reality of death, the truth is that mankind is mortal. In any
case, this worldly life is exceedingly short and transient. Each one
is sent to this world in order to be tested for a period oftime
ranging from sixty toseventy years. Therefore, itwould be a great
mistake for anyone to base his plans on this worldly life alone, to
accept this short-lived sojourn as his true life, and to forget the
hereafter where he will live forever.
This fact stands out clear and simple so that all can easily
comprehend it. Yet, as indicated in the following verse: "He Who
created death and life to test which of you is best in action. He is
the Almighty, the Ever-Forgiving," (Surat al-Mulk: 2) Allah adorned
this world in order to create this environment inwhich man will be
tested. One should not be deceived by the fact that some people
compete with each other to maximize their enjoymentof these worldly
blessings.Because, as the verses of the Qur'an indicate, those who
live in negligence could in no way be deemed a group one should
measure up to. Those, who strive to accumulate and heap up belongings,
sacrifice their beliefs in order to acquire authority, and who play
roles to earn the appreciation or approbation of others, are in fact
running after illusory ideals. To suppose that this worldly life is
real, and to run hopelesslyafter mundane benefits and rewards, is just
as illogical, comical and humiliating as mistaking the scenes of a
play for reality.
However, it should always be kept in mind that, not only those who
devote themselves to this worldlylife, but also those who expend
effort to acquire benefits both in this worldand the hereafter, are
deluded. The life of this world was created as a blessing for mankind.
While they are here, people should make the best possible use of its
many splendors, and enjoyits many blessings. Yet, one should never
idealize nor run after these blessings with excessive desire or
ambition. He should utilize them all to live according to the religion
in the best possible manner, to appreciate Allah, and to give thanks,
after having recognized that which has been bestowed upon him by
Allah. Acting in accordance with such reasoning as, "I can lead a life
both to gain Allah's consent and to make the best use of the benefits
of the worldly life," would bea thought-pattern damaging to one's
sincerity.
In the following verse, referring to some of His prophets, Allah
reminds mankind that the behaviorof those who keep solely the
hereafter in mind are the best in merit with Him:
And remember Our servants Ibrahim, Ishaq and Ya'qub, men of true
strength and inner sight.We purified their sincerity through
sincereremembrance of the Abode. In Our eyes they are among the best
of chosen men. (Surah Sad: 45-47)
Nevertheless, Allah bestows the greatest worldly blessings upon those
who sincerely turn to Him and desire the hereafter. Thus, one who
distances himself from sincerity by saying, "Let me have both this
world and the next," will in the end be deprived of both. One who
longs for the hereafter alone will gain the blessings both of this
world and the next.
Similarly, renown Turkish scholar Bediuzzaman Said Nursi said, "The
secret of this matter lies in sincerity.The transient pleasures of
this world become an ultimate purpose for thosewho have not succeeded
to attain spiritual purity. Thus, the acts done by these people for
the hereafter are effected by these pleasures, and their sincerity is
tainted. Because worldly objectives, pleasures couldnot be sought
along with deeds to earn otherworldly rewards. If so, sincerity is
harmed." 1 He underlined that the aim to gain both worldly and
otherworldly benefits emerge from a soul defficient in its education.
Such thinking diminishes sincerity, and prevents onefrom performing
pious deeds aimed at the hereafter.
In another of his works, Said Nursi noted that only those "who assume
that the world is a guest house" could hope to lead the best and
happiest of lives.
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