Worldly Distractions

Asalamu alaikum everyone ✨,

I hope you are well in’sha’Allah. Today, I wanted to share some reflections about two beautiful verses in the Quran from Surah At-Takathur:

“Competition in [worldly] increase diverts you.

Until you visit the graveyards.” {Surah At-Takathur Verses 1-2}

Allah tells us that competition in the accumulation of worldly assets distracts us from remembering Him until we reach our graves.

We are so busy competing with each other, trying to get as much wealth and material things as we can, that we forget our duties to our Creator. We are often preoccupied during our prayers by thoughts of this worldly life, forgetting that we are inching closer to the hereafter with every breath that we take. We continue to strive for worldly increase until we reach our graves – that is, until death reaches us.

And at this point, when we take our last breath, we will come to a sad realisation. Whilst we were seeking wealth, status and so on, we had neglected our hereafter and did not strive enough to do good deeds, nor did we seek forgiveness for our sins.

We failed to realise that whatever worldly gain we strove for, we could not take it with us when we die. The money we worked hard to earn will be distributed to others. The houses we once owned will have new owners. The status and reputation we were once so proud of, will be forgotten as life moves on after we are left alone in our graves. The only thing we will take with us after death is our deeds.

Many people do not like to think about death. In today’s society, when you try to bring up the topic of death in a conversation, people will do whatever they can to change the subject. However, death is a reality and it will happen to all of us. Therefore, it is important that we think about this reality. When we remember death, it will help us to prepare for it.

For the Muslim, remembering death encourages him to do good deeds and deters him from committing sins. It helps us to remember that this world and everything in it is temporary. It reminds us that we are certainly heading towards the Hereafter where our final resting place will either be Paradise or Hellfire. May Allah enter us into His Paradise. Ameen. 💗

Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “If Adam’s son had a valley full of gold, he would like to have two valleys, for nothing fills his mouth except dust. And Allah forgives him who repents to Him.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6439)

Next time you find yourself busy seeking worldly gain to the point that you are distracted from the remembrance of Allah, remind yourself of the hadith above. Mankind will always desire more and nothing will satisfy him except the dust of his grave – meaning he will only stop desiring more when he dies.

Thus, we must be grateful to Allah and keep up with our duties towards Him. One day, you will meet your Creator, so be sure to prepare yourself for that meeting. Do good deeds and avoid sins as much as you can. Reflect upon the Quran; it was sent as a guidance for the believers.

“Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves.” {Surah Al-Baqarah Verse 222}

We all make mistakes. We are imperfect by nature and we will get distracted by worldly affairs at some point in our lives. When this happens, we need to turn back to Allah and seek His guidance. Recite this dua often:

يَا مُقَلِّبَ الْقُلُوبِ ثَبِّتْ قَلْبِي عَلَى دِينِكَ
Ya Muqallibal Quloob Thabbit Qalbi ‘Ala Deenik.

O Changer of the Hearts! Strengthen my heart upon Your Religion. ❤️

Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2140