When you prioritize the Akhirah (Hereafter) over the Dunya (worldly life), you align your heart and efforts with the eternal, seeking the pleasure of Allah. This shift in focus brings tremendous blessings, not only in the Hereafter but also in this world. Allah promises in the Qur’an that those who strive for the Akhirah with sincerity will also find success in their worldly endeavors. Allah says:
"But seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter. And do not forget your share of the world." (Qur'an 28:77). This verse shows that when you seek the Akhirah, Allah does not deprive you of good in the Dunya, but rather blesses you with it. By seeking Allah’s pleasure and focusing on eternal rewards, you find that your efforts in the Dunya become meaningful, leading to success in your personal, family, and professional life, as Allah guides and blesses those who keep their ultimate goal in mind.
The Prophet ﷺ further emphasizes this idea when he said:
"Whoever seeks the world with the intention of gaining reward in the Hereafter, Allah will bless him with both the dunya and the Hereafter." (Sahih Muslim). This highlights the principle that when you strive for the Akhirah, Allah grants you both the satisfaction of your soul in this life and the eternal rewards in the next. For example, a person who works hard to provide for their family while ensuring that the wealth they earn is halal (permissible) and used for good, and seeks knowledge for the sake of Allah, will find that Allah blesses their efforts and makes their life in the Dunya easier, while their pursuit of the Akhirah remains the ultimate goal.
Furthermore, the Akhirah is infinitely better than the Dunya. The Qur’an constantly reminds us that the Dunya is fleeting and full of temporary pleasures, while the Akhirah is eternal and offers rewards beyond imagination. Allah says:
"What is with you [in the Dunya] is temporary, but what is with Allah is eternal." (Qur'an 16:96). The Dunya may offer fleeting joys, but it is filled with tests, hardships, and eventual loss. In contrast, the Akhirah offers eternal bliss, where there is no sickness, death, or pain. The Prophet ﷺ said:
"What is the life of this world compared to the Hereafter except as if one of you were to put his finger in the sea and see what it brings back?" (Sahih Muslim). This hadith demonstrates the stark contrast between the temporary nature of the Dunya and the everlasting rewards of the Akhirah.
Moreover, Allah describes the rewards of Jannah, the ultimate destination for the believer, as far exceeding anything found in the Dunya. Jannah is described as a place of eternal pleasure, where every desire is fulfilled, and there is no pain or sorrow. Allah says:
"Indeed, the [reward] of the Hereafter is better for you than the first [life]." (Qur'an 93:4). This emphasizes that no matter what one may achieve in the Dunya—wealth, status, or success—it cannot compare to the eternal rewards that Allah has prepared for the believers in the Hereafter.
Thus, the key reminder is that by chasing the Akhirah, you are ensuring not only eternal success but also finding purpose, blessings, and contentment in this worldly life. The pursuit of the Akhirah aligns your heart with what is truly beneficial and everlasting, while the Dunya, despite its allure, is ultimately a transient and imperfect existence. Always keep in mind that the rewards of the Akhirah far surpass anything that the Dunya can provide, and by focusing on it, you attain the highest success in both worlds.
"But seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter. And do not forget your share of the world." (Qur'an 28:77). This verse shows that when you seek the Akhirah, Allah does not deprive you of good in the Dunya, but rather blesses you with it. By seeking Allah’s pleasure and focusing on eternal rewards, you find that your efforts in the Dunya become meaningful, leading to success in your personal, family, and professional life, as Allah guides and blesses those who keep their ultimate goal in mind.
The Prophet ﷺ further emphasizes this idea when he said:
"Whoever seeks the world with the intention of gaining reward in the Hereafter, Allah will bless him with both the dunya and the Hereafter." (Sahih Muslim). This highlights the principle that when you strive for the Akhirah, Allah grants you both the satisfaction of your soul in this life and the eternal rewards in the next. For example, a person who works hard to provide for their family while ensuring that the wealth they earn is halal (permissible) and used for good, and seeks knowledge for the sake of Allah, will find that Allah blesses their efforts and makes their life in the Dunya easier, while their pursuit of the Akhirah remains the ultimate goal.
Furthermore, the Akhirah is infinitely better than the Dunya. The Qur’an constantly reminds us that the Dunya is fleeting and full of temporary pleasures, while the Akhirah is eternal and offers rewards beyond imagination. Allah says:
"What is with you [in the Dunya] is temporary, but what is with Allah is eternal." (Qur'an 16:96). The Dunya may offer fleeting joys, but it is filled with tests, hardships, and eventual loss. In contrast, the Akhirah offers eternal bliss, where there is no sickness, death, or pain. The Prophet ﷺ said:
"What is the life of this world compared to the Hereafter except as if one of you were to put his finger in the sea and see what it brings back?" (Sahih Muslim). This hadith demonstrates the stark contrast between the temporary nature of the Dunya and the everlasting rewards of the Akhirah.
Moreover, Allah describes the rewards of Jannah, the ultimate destination for the believer, as far exceeding anything found in the Dunya. Jannah is described as a place of eternal pleasure, where every desire is fulfilled, and there is no pain or sorrow. Allah says:
"Indeed, the [reward] of the Hereafter is better for you than the first [life]." (Qur'an 93:4). This emphasizes that no matter what one may achieve in the Dunya—wealth, status, or success—it cannot compare to the eternal rewards that Allah has prepared for the believers in the Hereafter.
Thus, the key reminder is that by chasing the Akhirah, you are ensuring not only eternal success but also finding purpose, blessings, and contentment in this worldly life. The pursuit of the Akhirah aligns your heart with what is truly beneficial and everlasting, while the Dunya, despite its allure, is ultimately a transient and imperfect existence. Always keep in mind that the rewards of the Akhirah far surpass anything that the Dunya can provide, and by focusing on it, you attain the highest success in both worlds.
