Come Back To Reality

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Right now if we try to list down all the blessings that Allah has given us, we know we won't be able to. But how much attention do we give Allah compared to everything and everyone else.

We give preference to the worldly life more than the One who gives us everything we have. Many show no concern and make no serious investment for the next life.

When the adhan is called for prayer, you see people are still working or talking. When the iqamah is called, they walk slowly to the masjid. Those are the ones who pray. But they are many more who don't pray. They are too busy with their lives. Even once a week for Friday prayer is a big deal for many. They can't go to the masjid for Jumu'ah prayer, and if they go at all, they barely make it (but they're never late to the movies or shows) and they can't focus and listen to the khutbah, always checking their watches or looking up to the clock on the wall (but they are punctual to work and attentive in meetings with their bosses).

Even while having dinner with family or family outings, they can't put their phones away--don't want to miss an important call.

Why? Because we are delusional. We have to snap out of it.

We have become of people who are constantly running; for worldly or religious cause -- having no time to step back and take a breath--to look at the sky, the mountains, the ocean, the trees, the cats, the birds, the bees, the ants, and all the things around us, to thank Allah for what He has given us, to feel His mercy at this moment. No longer we are the people of reflection and remembrance as if this is too trivial for us.

The reality is that there are far bigger priority in our lives than our career, paychecks, degrees, social networks, fame or fans. That's why believing in the unseen is one of the great blessings. There are angels who are constantly writing down our deeds--good and bad. This will be shown to us in the next life. There are people who are being punished in the graves for their disobedience. May Allah have mercy on all the Muslims.

كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ ۗ وَإِنَّمَا تُوَفَّوْنَ أُجُورَكُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ۖ فَمَن زُحْزِحَ عَنِ النَّارِ وَأُدْخِلَ الْجَنَّةَ فَقَدْ فَازَ ۗ وَمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا مَتَاعُ الْغُرُورِ ﴿١٨٥

Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained [his desire]. And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion. (185)

[Qur'an AleImran 3:185]

Remember our worst enemy, the Shaytan. He wants to take us with him to the Fire. So, he will try to deceive us. He maximizes the happiness and success of this world so much that we forget what lies ahead in the next life.

وَلَلْآخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ لَّكَ مِنَ الْأُولَىٰ ﴿٤

And indeed the Hereafter is better for you than the present (life of this world).(4)

[Qur'an Ad-Dhuha 93:4]

This world is nothing compared to the life in the Hereafter.

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said,

"Allah said, 'I have prepared for My pious worshipers such things as no eye has ever seen, no ear has ever heard of, and nobody has ever thought of. All that is reserved, besides which, all that you have seen, is nothing." Then he recited:-- 'No soul knows what is kept hidden (in reserve) for them of joy as a reward for what they used to do.' (32.17)

[Bukhari]

لَا تَعْلَمُ نَفْسٌ مَّا أُخْفِيَ لَهُم مِّن قُرَّةِ أَعْيُنٍ جَزَاءً بِمَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ ﴿١٧﴾ أَفَمَن كَانَ مُؤْمِنًا كَمَن كَانَ فَاسِقًا ۚ لَّا يَسْتَوُونَ ﴿١٨﴾ أَمَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ فَلَهُمْ جَنَّاتُ الْمَأْوَىٰ نُزُلًا بِمَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ ﴿١٩﴾ وَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ فَسَقُوا فَمَأْوَاهُمُ النَّارُ ۖ كُلَّمَا أَرَادُوا أَن يَخْرُجُوا مِنْهَا أُعِيدُوا فِيهَا وَقِيلَ لَهُمْ ذُوقُوا عَذَابَ النَّارِ الَّذِي كُنتُم بِهِ تُكَذِّبُونَ ﴿٢٠

And no soul knows what has been hidden for them of comfort for eyes as reward for what they used to do. (17) Then is one who was a believer like one who was defiantly disobedient? They are not equal. (18) As for those who believed and did righteous deeds, for them will be the Gardens of Refuge as accommodation for what they used to do. (19) But as for those who defiantly disobeyed, their refuge is the Fire. Every time they wish to emerge from it, they will be returned to it while it is said to them, "Taste the punishment of the Fire which you used to deny." (20)

[Qur'an As-Sajda 32:17-20]

We ask Allah that we see the Truth and keep us on the Truth.

Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam