In this feuilleton, we present a wise and instructive story about the relationship between the world and the hereafter from the holy Prophet (PBUH), who said:
الدنيا مَزرَعةُ الآخِرَةِ .(1)
The world is the field of the Hereafter.
If we pay attention to the process of planting and harvesting in agricultural products, we will realize that at first the farmer needs the land to sow it and in a period of time for the growth of crops he takes care of the seeds and their growth process from the attack of pests etc. and meets the needs of plants such as light, water and nutrients for their growth and at the end of the agricultural process, he waits for the crops to bear fruit, so that he can make a profit by using the products or selling them.
If we pay attention to this process, the land is one of the basic equipments of agricultural operations, which is the faith in God, in the Prophet, in his household, in the unseen or the hereafter, and in the Qur’an, and the seeds are our deeds that are planted in this land, and in order for these seeds or our actions not to be destroyed by the attack of evils or the temptation of devils and the committing of ugly and sinful acts, we should have this meditation on our faith and actions until the time of death or when the crops are ripe, and In order to grow, we must care about performing obligatory duties such as prayer, etc., so that we are not in a stagnation or stop, so that the products come to fruition.
Just as we are waiting for the harvest after taking care, actually after death, the time of reaping the results of our good deeds will be achieved which is the eternal paradise in the afterlife, and if our deeds are bad and ugly, the result will be hell.
Therefore, the world is a means for salvation and getting profit in the hereafter. Also Imam Ali, the first successor of the holy Prophet, peace be upon him, said: the hereafter is achieved by the world. (2)
As the Almighty God in verse 20 of Shura with a subtle simile compares the people of the world against the Lord’s sustenance and how to use it, to farmers; one group cultivates for the hereafter, and one group for this world, and He specifies the result of each of these two crops, and says:
«مَنْ کانَ یُرِیدُ حَرْثَ الْآخِرَةِ نَزِدْ لَهُ فِی حَرْثِهِ.»
Whoever desires the tillage of the Hereafter, We will enhance for him his tillage.
«وَ مَنْ کانَ یُرِیدُ حَرْثَ الدُّنْیا نُؤْتِهِ مِنْها وَ ما لَهُ فِى الْآخِرَةِ مِنْ نَصِیب». 3
To any that desires the tilth of the Hereafter, We give increase in his tilth, and to any that desires the tilth of this world, We grant somewhat thereof, but he has no share or lot in the Hereafter.
- Awali Al-`Ali Al-`Azizia fi Ahadith Al-Diniyah: 1/267/66
- Nahj al-balāgha, sermon 156.
- Surah Shura, verse 20.
www.darolhadith.org
www.makarem.ir
