Dunya and Aakhirah

Dunya refers to everything that distances you from Allah Ta’ala even if it is in the form of Deen. For example, a person does Deeni work to show off and his goal is to receive honour and popularity. With such an evil intention and goal, a person will be miserable on the day of Qiyaamah even if he has sacrificed his life. On the other hand, if a person is working honestly for his livelihood according to Deen, this is an action of Aakhirah even if he does it in the bazaar and it does not have any form of Deen. This is because working in such a way, is in accordance to the principles of the Shar’iah. When a person acts in accordance to the Shar’iah, he gets closer to Allah Ta’ala. Dunya did not ever belong to anyone and will never become for anyone. No one has taken Dunya with him. Dunya has destroyed all those who devoted themselves to it. So, why run after something that will not become yours? A Muslim does not run behind Dunya, but he should use it to build his Aakhirah.

[English version of "Dounia et Aakhirat" – Al Jamiat – Vol.2 No.9]