In the year 2119…
In the year 2119, in just 100 years from now, every single reader of this piece will be underground, our bodies having become part of the soil. During that time, our fate with respect to paradise or hell would have been made known to us.
Meanwhile above the soil, our houses that were left behind would have become homes for others, our clothes would have become garments for others, our cars will be driven by others, and as for us, we will be – for the most part – never thought about by anyone again. How often do you think about your great grandfather? How often does your great grandmother cross your mind?
Our presence here on earth today, that presence that we make so much noise about and shed so many tears for, was preceded by countless generations before us and shall be followed by countless generations after us. Every generation that passes through this world barely finds the time to take a glance at Dunya before needing to bid it farewell and handing over the baton, having not fulfilled even a fraction of ones ambitions. Our lives are, in reality, far shorter than we imagine.
In 2119, every one of us will realise from within the grave just how worthless this world actually was, and how trivial those dreams were that centred on it.
In 2119, every one of us will be wishing that we had dedicated our lives to the great matters, the matters of Islam, and had devoted ourselves to collecting good deeds, particularly those that continue to benefit us after our death.
In 2119, many of us reading this piece will be screaming out, but in vain:
رَبِّ ارْجِعُونِ * لَعَلِّي أَعْمَلُ صَالِحًا فِيمَا تَرَكْتُ
“My Lord return me! So that I may do good in that which I have left behind ..
The response to this request, however, shall be harsh:
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.”
In 2119, many of us will be biting our hands in regret, saying:
يَقُولُ يَا لَيْتَنِي قَدَّمْتُ لِحَيَاتِي
“I wish that I had prepared for my life.”
The angel of death will not wait until you and I become righteous.
Let us become righteous, then wait for the angel of death.
May Allah change lives through you.. Aameen