Nature of Life in this Dunya
Today is and will always be a special day for me; and it reminds me of exactly what the topic of this post reminds you of. This dunya is a trial for all of humanity. Although there is so much to enjoy in this world, there are also strict warnings from our Rabb about becoming attached to them and forgetting our true purpose here.
"We made everything on the Earth adornment for it so that We could test them to see whose actions are the best." - Q18:7
While we all want to enjoy the comforts and blessings of this world, we must not let it become our sole purpose. We may desire to possess them, but only for the purpose of giving thanks to and glorifying Allah. We do not pursue it out of greed because after death, it brings about no benefit. We must realize that chasing after worldly things at the expense of more nobler goals means putting our Hereafter at risk.
"To mankind the love of worldly appetites is painted in glowing colors: women and children, and heaped-up mounds of gold and silver, and horses with fine markings, and livestock and fertile farmland. All that is merely the enjoyment of the life of the world. The best homecoming is in the presence of Allah." - Q3:14
The allure of the things of this world is an essential factor in the test placed upon us in this dunya. Satan resorts relentlessly to such allurements in his attempts to deceived distract us. Even though we may be attracted to such allurement, we must be aware of their true worth; recognizing that these are the temporary blessings of this world and the greater blessing is in the hereafter. For this reason, we would not be deceived by satan thus being able to save ourselves from eternal torment.
"Mankind! Allah's promise is true. Do not let the life of the world delude you and do not let the chief deluder delude you about Allah." - Q35:5
On the other hand, those without faith and bereft of wisdom, feel an inner inclination to this dunya. Under satan's influence, they make the attainment of the temporary goods of this world the ultimate purpose of their lives and forget the hereafter. The condition of such people is referred in the following verses.
“No indeed! But you love this fleeting world and you disregard the Hereafter." Q75:20-21
Excerpt From: Yahya, Harun. “Basic Tenets of Islam.”