This World and The Hereafter in View of Imam Ali (AS)
There have been many ideas about how life would be after death. But what is the relation between life in this world and everlasting life in the next world?
It has always been among the most important questions everyone has on mind. What will life be like after death and is this life related to the spiritual world? Do they have very different and distinct conditions?
On various occasions, Imam Ali (AS) describes life in this world as transient and the one in the next world as everlasting: “Surely this world has turned its back and announced its departure while the next world has appeared forward and proclaimed its approach.” (Nahj-ul-Balaqa, Sermon 28)
The signs of the world’s departure are evident: cemeteries that keep the remains of past generations or those around us who die for any reason. The world is apparently silent but it is talking to us in different ways.
“The dead whom you have been watching suffice as preachers. They were carried to their graves, not riding themselves, and were placed in them but not of their own accord. It seems as if they never lived in this world and as if the next world had always been their abode.” (Nahj-ul-Balaqa, Sermon 188)
Imam Ali (AS) warns that we should be ready to bid farewell to this world and go to the next world sooner or later and should provide what is necessary for this perilous journey before it is too late.
Regarding the relation between this world and the hereafter, he says, “Beware, today is the day for practicing and preparation and tomorrow is day of competition. The reward for those who win is paradise and what awaits those who get behind is fire of hell.” (Nahj-ul-Balaqa, Sermon 28)
Although this world is very worthless in view of Imam Ali (AS) – as it is transient, it becomes very important and valuable as a place for preparing to reach success in the hereafter and ignoring this will make one regret it. “Beware, you have been ordered insistently to march and been guided how to provide for the journey. Surely the most frightening thing which I am afraid of about you is to follow desires and to widen the hopes. Provide for yourself from this world what would save you tomorrow (on the Day of Judgment).” (Nahj-ul-Balaqa, Sermon 28)
So life in this world is the best opportunity for doing good deeds to get to everlasting salvation in the hereafter. If man fails to make the most of this opportunity, he will face huge loss and regret.
