Basic Beliefs of Islam

Chapter 19 : Second Phase of Our Existence

Life in this world.

The second phase of our existence is the most crucial and decisive period of our life. The span of this life is relatively very short i.e., 60 to 70 years in average, but it shapes a definite nature of our endless life. On Quranic scale, the length of our stay in this world is less than a day.

How the present shapes the nature of eternal life?

This is the most important question which all of us should strive to know. Quran has repeatedly mentioned that the nature of our endless life depends upon how we live in this world. For this, we all will be examined for two things.

1 - Thought and perception. i.e., Emaan 2 - Actions and deeds. i.e., Amaal

All human beings will be judged Jahannum accordingly.

for these two things and will go either to Jannat or The first basic qualification required by a person to enter jannat is perfect religion. Quran has explicitly warned the entire mankind that no religion other than Islam will be accepted on the Day of Judgment.

"The only true religion before Allah is Islam." (3:19)

Thus all non-Muslims, who don't fulfill this pre-requisite condition are not qualified for Jannat. The second important requirement is Amaal, i.e. actions.

Islam has given a full scheme of work, called Shariah (Islamic laws ), which has identified all good and bad actions, obligatory duties and forbidden acts. Thus all those Muslims who don't follow the rules of Shariah will not be qualified to enter Jannat.

However, Allah is so kind and lenient that He forgives all our sins if we sincerely ask Him for forgiveness. And His generosity is such that He will multiply the reward of our good deeds ten times i.e. far above the merit, and the punishment will be no more than what commensurate with our sin.

Quran confirms this in the following verse.

"He that does a good deed shall be repaid tenfold: but he that commits a sin shall be punished only for it." (6:160)

What is successful life

As the second phase of our life i.e., life in this physical world, is the most impor tant and decisive period of our entire life, it is essential to know how to make this life most successful and productive.

There is a vast Islamic literature, which includes more than 6000 Divine verses, more than 15000 ahadith of the Prophet, more than 300 sermons & duas of Imams and a huge stock of books by Ulama, all this just to tell with all minor and major details about, What is a successful life and how to get the ultimate success.

How can we accomplish the purpose of our life

It is very important to understand fully and correctly what should be the primary and ultimate aim of our life which should never be compromised with anything in any circumstances.

Quran has told us in a very decisive manner that the Divine purpose of creation is to worship Him. Every second of our life should be spent in His worship. This means that worship doesn't mean traditional or ritual worship in which we do cer tain acts prescribed in the shariah. Worship means to follow His commandments in every action.

Some key points of successful life.

1 - The first and foremost thing in the agenda of life is the true intention of total submission to Allah Subhanahu taala. i.e., we should have this feeling in the hear t of our heart. We should please Allah Subhanahu taala by all possible means. We should do anything and everything to seek His pleasure and His nearness.

2 - We should know this fact very well that every pleasure and success in this world is of temporary nature. The real success is the success of Akherah. Thus, we should not do anything at the expense of Akherah. Quran has repeatedly warned the residents of planet earth that their stay on earth is pretty short. Every intelligent person at least knows this fact.

3 - Acquire useful knowledge to strengthen Emaan. Quran has stressed on the exploration of the universe and study of nature.

"Indeed: In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day, there are signs for men of understanding, those that remember Allah when standing, sitting and lying down, and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth (saying): Lord, you have not created these in vain. Glory be to You: save us from the torment of the fire." (3:190)

Thus, it is important to ponder in the vast creation of Allah Subhanahu taala in order to glorify His majesty.

Today, the Western scientists have collected a large amount of information about the universe and its innumerable entities through their researches and explorations. As one can not grasp the enormous amount of acquired knowledge, it has been divided into bits and pieces, classified as physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy etc. All these disciplines of sciences, being taught in secular institutions, can be made very useful if they are taught with Islamic perspectives.

4- One must know the laws of Islam in order to fulfill the obligatory duties and to abstain from the forbidden acts.

The sunnah of the Holy Prophet (sws), as interpreted by his Ahlal Baiyt, covers each and every aspect of an ideal life. Thus, it is essential to follow his sunnah and the teachings of the Imams in every sphere of life.

We should acquire taqwa in life. Taqwa means, to observe the obligatory duties in full and to abstain from the evils and forbidden things.