Reflecting on Life: A Reminder from the Year 3000
As-salamu alaykum, I was listening to some talks about death recently, and it really made me think deeply, so I wanted to share this with you all. Close your eyes and picture this: It’s the year 3000. Everyone alive today - including you - has long passed away. No one speaks your name anymore. No one remembers your face. You’ve been resting in your grave for nearly a thousand years. Every person who lived during your time is alone in their grave, facing the reality of how they spent their short life on this Earth. Knowing this, why do we waste so much of our brief life worrying about what others think? Why do we tire ourselves out seeking their approval when soon none of them will even be here? Why should I feel shy about looking tired without makeup - when Allah warned us about tabarruj? Why should I feel pressured to loosen my hijab just because others around me do? Actually, the tougher the struggle against my own desires, the greater the reward - since I’m choosing Allah over my nafs. When you were born, the adhan was whispered in your ear. When you leave this world, the janazah prayer will be said for you, but without an adhan. Life is that short - like the time between athan and iqama, just a few minutes. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) advised us to live in this world like a traveler or a stranger. And just look at Allah’s mercy - He gives us this short time and will base our eternal home on how we spend it. The wise ones, those who truly reflect, use this brief life to build their akhirah day by day. They are busy building their beautiful palace in Jannah, knowing they will live there forever. None of us knows our last day, but it will surely come sooner than we expect. How many people passed away while still planning weddings, degrees, or trips? How many had no idea their time was almost up? Remember: when you entered this world, you cried while others smiled. When you leave, others will cry - and inshaAllah, you will smile, knowing you built a home in Jannah with every sincere small deed. So let today be the day you start. Add one small act now - maybe a sunnah prayer, a few words of dhikr while walking, giving charity, or holding your tongue from gossip. One small step today might echo for eternity. Share below what you plan to start doing, and maybe you’ll earn a good deed by encouraging someone else to do the same.