Page 78 - The Pains of the False World

THE PAINS OF THE FALSE WORLD

In other verses Allah reveals that unbelievers will remain un-
der this burden for all eternity:
… We have given you a reminder direct from Us. Those
who turn away from it will bear a heavy burden on the
Day of Resurrection. Remaining in it timelessly, for
ever. What an evil load they will bear on the Day of Re -
surrection! (Surah Ta Ha, 99-101)

Alongside all these truths, a person can proceed from the
life of this world to that of the Hereafter at any time. As recal-
led in the verse, "Wherever you are, death will catch up with
you, even if you are in impregnable fortresses…" (Surat an-
Nisa', 78).
Death is inevitable. A person may well die at an entire l y
unexpected moment, and will then be unable to consider the-
se truths, even if he or she wishes to. This will lead to an in-
describable regret.
If, on the other hand, a person sets aside a brief time to
consider all the truths recounted here, while there is still time,
he is more likely to step towards that which will bring him

great joy and blessings in both this world and the next. Imam
Ghazali has reminded people to question their consciences in
this way:
There have been so many people who have been caught by death
suddenly before their last breath has left their bodies. The fact is
though that all you have consists of but a breath; neither a day
-
nor yet an hour! Turn to repentance and obedience to Allah befo
re even that breath is over. Death may find you before you can
b reathe a second! One must not pause to think too long on the

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