In the year 2126… a reminder

As-salāmu ʿalaykum. In the year 2126, just a hundred years from now, every one of us reading this will be beneath the ground, our bodies returned to the earth. By then our ultimate fate - paradise or hell - will already be known to us. Up above, the houses we left will shelter others, our clothes will be worn by different people, cars we once drove will be driven by strangers, and most likely few will remember us. How often do you think about your great-grandfather or great-grandmother? Our noisy, emotional presence in this life was preceded by countless generations and will be followed by countless more. Every generation flashes by, barely glancing at the Dunya before handing the baton to the next, rarely fulfilling even a portion of its ambitions. Our lives are far shorter than we think. In 2126 many of us will realise, from within the grave, how little this world truly meant and how insignificant those dreams that were tied to it really were. They will wish they had spent their time on the important matters - strengthening their Islam, doing righteous deeds, especially those ongoing deeds that benefit us after death. Many will cry out in regret: رَبِّ ارْجِعُونِ - “My Lord, return me! So that I may do good in that which I left behind.” But the answer will be firm: كَلَّا إِنَّهَا كَلِمَةٌ هُوَ قَائِلُهَا وَمِنْ وَرَائِهِمْ بَرْزَخٌ إِلَى يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ - “No! It is only a word he is saying; and behind them is now a barrier until the Day they are resurrected.” Many will lament: يَقُولُ يَا لَيْتَنِي قَدَّمْتُ لِحَيَاتِي - “I wish I had prepared for my life.” The angel of death does not delay until we become righteous. Let us strive to be people of faith and good deeds now, before our time comes. May Allah guide and change lives through you. Aameen.