Re-Examine the Understanding of Life

Within the account mentioned in the following noble verse lies profound lessons for those who reflect – “Have you not seen those who left their homes in the thousands, fearing death? Allah said to them: ‘Die!’ Then, He gave them life. Indeed, Allah is full of bounty to the people, but most people do not give thanks” (2:243). Indeed, cowardice and fear neither avert harm nor prevent death, nor do they bring any benefit whatsoever. As Allah says: “Say, 'Never will fleeing benefit you if you should flee from death or killing; and then [if you did], you would not be given enjoyment [of life] except for a little'” (33:16).

This verse establishes a clear and instructive principle, evident to anyone who reflects upon its recitation: fear – submission born of panic, self-humiliation, cowardice, and anxiety – neither repel destiny, nor preserve life, for life is a gift from Allah, the Exalted, bestowed without any effort on the part of the living.

These truths call the servants to reexamine their understanding of life and the meaning of fulfilling its true purpose, lest they neglect it and arrive on the Day of Judgment saying, “If only I had sent something ahead for my life” (89:24), at a time when remembrance will no longer be of any benefit.

What, then, is life? It is a gift from Allah, the Most Gracious, bestowed upon His servants, and it is incumbent upon them to show gratitude for this invaluable gift. True gratitude is expressed by honoring one’s life through living in accordance with the divine guidance of its Creator.

The essence of life is revealed in the servant’s stance during times of hardship. One may either advance toward Allah (swt) with steadfastness and courage, or fall behind, deceived by the illusions of worldly gain or self-reliance. Allah says: “Surely Hell is one of the mightiest catastrophes — a warning to humankind, to whichever of you chooses to take the lead or lag behind” (74:35-37).

Life is toil and struggle, as Allah says: “O humanity! Indeed, you are laboring restlessly towards your Lord, and will ˹eventually˺ meet the consequences” (84:6). And He says: “Indeed, We have created humankind in ˹constant˺ struggle” (90:4). For the believer, it is not a struggle for survival, but a struggle to cultivate obedience and certainty, and to remain firm on one’s journey toward Allah.

The perception of life that was held by the thousands who set out in fear of death was limited to what was visible and tangible. Fear and terror overtook them, causing them to falter and flee. Such a limited perspective neglects the existence of the True Planner —the Sovereign whose decree cannot be overturned. Through this verse, Allah makes clear that beyond the visible world lies a Mighty Power, a Wise and All-Knowing Decree, and an Absolute Will that governs all affairs, according to which everything unfolds.

Believers must direct their steps in life according to the system of divine laws, not according to what appears to them from observable, tangible reality. In their hands is the key to success: they can either advance and face hardships, or lag behind and fall prey to incapacity, laziness, cowardice, and miserliness.

The servant should know that advancing toward Allah (swt) is the key to blessings, honor, and steadfastness. Whoever steps forward, remains firm and hastens in doing good will find light in their steps, blessing in their deeds, and goodness in their outcomes.

There is no choice for a wise servant, but to resolve to advance; without doing so, he/she is in loss, as Allah says: “By time, indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience” (103).

It is a divine law that blessing, divine support, and protection lie in advancing and stepping forward in Allah’s command with steadfastness and certainty — and that disgrace, humiliation, and loss lie in lagging behind. In fact, the point at which delay begins is the failure to advance. When one does not advance, the heart begins to rust. If this rust is not removed, it becomes a covering that prevents the light of guidance from reaching the heart, as Allah says: “Rather, the stain has covered their hearts for what they were earning” (83:14).

Fleeing does not bring salvation, and neglecting divine principles is a path to hardship and an opening to worry and distress. Consider the example of the hypocrites in the Battle of Uhud, as described in Surat Ali-Imran: “Then after distress, He sent down upon you security [in the form of] drowsiness, overcoming a faction of you, while another faction worried about themselves, thinking of Allah other than the truth – the thought of ignorance, saying, 'Is there anything for us [to have done] in this matter?' Say, 'Indeed, the matter belongs completely to Allah.' They conceal within themselves what they will not reveal to you. They say, 'If there was anything we could have done in the matter, we [i.e., some of us] would not have been killed right here.' Say, 'Even if you had been inside your houses, those decreed to be killed would have come out to their death beds.' [It was] so that Allah might test what is in your breasts and purify what is in your hearts. And Allah is Knowing of that within the hearts” (3:154).

What, then, was the outcome of their delay? Allah, the Exalted, will not forgive them, and their recompense is Hellfire. He punishes them through what they themselves consider good — namely, wealth and children. As Allah says: “So let neither their wealth nor their children impress you, ˹O Prophet.˺ Allah only intends to torment them through these things in this worldly life, then their souls will depart while they are disbelievers” (9:55).

In contrast, the outcome and reward of advancement are clearly detailed in the following verses: “That is because whenever they suffer thirst, fatigue, or hunger in the cause of Allah; or tread upon a land that enrages the disbelievers; or inflict any loss upon an enemy — it is recorded to their credit as a good deed. Surely Allah never lets the reward of the doers of good go to waste. Whatever they spend, whether small or great, and whatever valley they cross in Allah’s cause, it is written to their credit, so that Allah may reward them according to the best of what they used to do” (9:120–121).

Likewise, Allah describes those who heard the Quran from the Messenger and recognized its truth: “When they listen to what has been revealed to the Messenger, you see their eyes overflowing with tears because of what they recognize of the truth. They say, ‘Our Lord, we believe, so count us among the witnesses. Why should we not believe in Allah and in the truth that has come to us, when we long for our Lord to include us among the righteous?’” (5:83–84).

The reward for their advancement and their steps toward Allah’s pleasure was:

“So Allah rewarded them for what they said with gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. And that is the reward of those who do good” (5:85).

How does one advance?

True advancement begins, first and foremost, with correcting one’s understanding of life, so that seeking the pleasure of Allah becomes the ultimate aim — the objective in everything the servant encounters. This is achieved by knowing, internalizing, and embodying one’s purpose in life, as defined by divine guidance: that which rectifies one’s state and leads to true success upon the path of faith.

Thereafter comes firm resolve, followed by action undertaken with reliance upon Allah, as He says: “Once you have made a decision, put your trust in Allah. Surely Allah loves those who trust in Him” (3:159). Alongside striving and perseverance, one entrusts the matter entirely to Allah.

Finally comes patient waiting until Allah issues His judgment. In doing so, the servant is preserved within the fortress of Allah, among His allies—those who believe and are mindful of Him.

An example of advancement is Dawud (peace be upon him). He began as a soldier among the troops of Talut, after which Allah honored him with both kingship and prophethood, making him a prophet endowed with wisdom and decisive speech. This honor came as a result of his perseverance through the trials faced by the army of Talut, and his exceptional resolve and courage which, by Allah’s permission, enabled him to defeat Jalut.

An example of delay — among the prophets, due to personal judgment — is in the story of Yunus (peace be upon him), who called out from the depths of darkness: “There is no deity except You; glory be to You. Indeed, I was among the wrongdoers.”

Thus, the key to advancement is sincere repentance, as Allah says: “Repent to Allah with sincere repentance” (66:8).

Repentance is a turning back to the Creator; it purifies one’s vision of life and prevents engagement in what contradicts the will of Allah. When one’s vision is corrected, insight is purified. The sincerity required in true repentance (al-tawbah al-nasuh) is realized through honesty of resolve and sincerity in turning to Allah. Honesty of resolve — manifested through initiative and proactive effort — is guided by sound knowledge, while sincerity in turning to Allah, accompanied by humility and reverence, is sustained by constant remembrance.

Among the forms of remembrance that reinforce advancement is seeking refuge in Allah from anxiety, sorrow, helplessness, laziness, cowardice, and stinginess, for these are the forces of discouragement and the agents of delay.