Preparing for the Hereafter: Drawbacks of a Palace, King Story

Many years ago there lived a King who built himself a huge and
magnificent palace. No one had seen anything like it before. The
turrets rose into the sky and many expensive materials were used in
itsconstruction. The King invited one and all to come and view his
palaceand left a guest book at the entrance for them to sign and leave
comments in.
He took pleasure in reading the various praises that people visiting
the palace had written for him in the book. However, he came across
two comments that were not in keeping with the general feeling. These
two comments were not in praise of the palace; on the contrary, they
criticized it. The King was upset and summoned the authors of the
comments. At first, neither of them was ready to explain his comment
but, after the King assured them that their lives were not in danger,
they disclosed the reasons.
"O King! There are two weaknesses in this palace. The first of these
is that some day, the palace will turn into ruins, and the second one
is that it does not have anything to ensure that its owner will not
beseparated from it one day. In a life of just a few days, why do we
have to attach ourselves to such worldly, material things?" (Bikhre
Moti)
Man will soon die and leave behind all his worldly possessions. What
will accompany himthe journey to the Hereafter are his noble deeds.
Imam Ali al Hadi (as)said: In the world, people are publicized by
their property, wealth and asset, and in eternity they are known by
their deeds and actions.
"Wealth and children are an adornment of the life of the world, but
lasting righteous deeds are better with your Lord in reward and better
in hope." Noble Qur'an, (18:46)
Wisdom therefore dictates that man should focus his attention to
things that are imperishable and highly rewardable.
Imam Ali (as)said: The world is a passage lodging, and eternity is a
place everlasting, yon should take advantage ofthe opportunity to save
something from your passage lodging for the rest of your Journey.
Some body asked Imam Hassan Mojtaba (as):
Why are we reluctant to die, why don't we like death?
"Because", replied the Imam Hassan Mojtaba (as), "You ruined your
next world (hereafter) and developed this one; naturally, you do not
like to be transferred from flourishing to decline."
Imam Hassan Mojtaba (as) said: The faithful people use this world to
gather provisions for the next world but faithless people only enjoy
the fruits of this world while living.
Imam Jafar Sadegh (as)quoted on the authority of Holy Prophet Muhammad
(saww): What do I have to do with this world, and what does this world
have to do with me? The story of me and the world is similar to that
of a man who is riding on a hot day and reaches a tree. He takes a nap
under the shade of the tree for a short while, and then goes on
leavingthe tree behind.
Imam Jafar Sadegh (as) said: The person, who is attached much to the
world, when it is time to depart, will have many deep regrets and many
grievances.