Understanding the Greatness of the Hereafter and Its Influence on Our Actions in This World
When we have not fully grasped the greatness of the hereafter and consider it within the limited scope of our worldly view, we fail to realize how much provision we need for eternal life. Do the good deeds we perform in this world truly meet our needs for eternity, or not? If the answer is no, how can we acquire the necessary provisions? In fact, to have a fulfilling life in the hereafter, we must both comprehend the greatness of the hereafter and learn different ways to gather provisions from this world.
In the article “This World and the Hereafter: An Invaluable Connection,” we briefly referred to the relationship between the mother’s womb, this world, and the hereafter. Now, we want to further explore this by comparing the mother’s womb with the world we live in. Through this analogy, our understanding of the greatness of the hereafter deepens. The relationship between this world and the hereafter is like the relationship between the mother’s womb and this world. The mother’s womb and this world differ so greatly in spaciousness, opportunities, countless blessings, and the time spent in each that they are beyond comparison. This same vast difference exists between our current world and the hereafter. When we perceive the hereafter as eternal and grand, we will not act indifferently toward it. We recognize how insignificant our actions may seem compared to this vast realm and understand the urgent need to gather provisions for our eternal life. We know that if we avoid the challenges and tests of this world, we will have nothing prepared in the hereafter. Thus, we see these trials as opportunities to gather provision, not as sources of suffering, sadness, or fatigue.
The Role of Troubles and Challenges in This World
Usually, when we aim for a significant goal or achievement, enduring hardships becomes easier. For instance, if we focus on winning an Olympic gold medal, we tolerate the difficulties of being away from family, dealing with injuries, following a strict diet, or intense training with greater motivation and strength. In the same way, understanding the greatness of the hereafter makes us more resilient towards the hardships of this world. When we reflect on the eternity and greatness of life in the hereafter, the shortcomings and flaws of this world appear less important.
For every deficiency in this world, there is a true equivalent in the hereafter; in other words, for each thing we lack here, we will receive its true equivalent in the hereafter. For instance, if we lose our wealth due to an incident and are forced to endure hardships, this lack is regarded as a wealth and provision for our hereafter. However, the opposite is also true; if we do not use worldly blessings like wealth, power, and social status to strengthen our spiritual dimension, they lose their worth in the hereafter and bring us only difficulty and regret.
The Greatness of the Hereafter, the Smallness of the World
Perhaps you have looked up at a tall mountain or a massive structure. Have you noticed how seeing its greatness changes how we view everything around it? Just as that mountain or structure appears vast and magnificent, we see the trees and objects nearby as small. Similarly, when we truly recognize the eternity and greatness of the hereafter, life in this world becomes equally insignificant and brief in our eyes. For this reason, we do not worry about our inanimate, vegetative, animal, or intellective affairs. We do not feel upset about not having children, our skin color not being a little lighter, not having obtained our doctoral degree, or our car not being a product of a certain factory. In fact, we are content with what God has planned for us, and through this acceptance of God’s tests, we gather provisions for the hereafter.
This world is filled with conflicts and contradictions. Things do not always go as we expect, nor do events unfold as we plan. Yet, this does not mean we give up on striving for success or resolving our problems. If we have faith, we understand our duty is to fulfill our responsibilities, not to control the outcomes. We know that all trials and tests are provisions for our hereafter; therefore, by using these opportunities, we prepare ourselves to enter the vast realm of the hereafter.
Sharing in the Deeds of Others
If we understand the principles and laws of creation, gathering provisions for the hereafter becomes easier. For instance, if we know that by being pleased with others’ righteous deeds, we share in their rewards, we approach others’ actions with a more conscious perspective. By rejoicing in the successes and good deeds of others, we essentially partake in those actions and benefit from them in the hereafter; this leaves no room for jealousy. When we can be content with the accomplishments of those who are more beloved, capable, or prominent, and share in the rewards of their actions, why not gather wealth for our eternity? Why overlook this valuable opportunity and allow ourselves to be consumed by jealousy? Jealousy not only hinders us from gathering provisions but it also burns the assets we have accumulated for the hereafter.
In this article, we compared a mother’s womb to this world and the world to the hereafter. We explained that through understanding the greatness of the hereafter, the importance of gathering provisions becomes clearer. We also explored the various ways to gain assets in this world, realizing that alongside righteous deeds, enduring the tests of this world serves as a wealth for our hereafter. Comprehending the greatness of the hereafter helps us become indifferent to worldly shortcomings, seeing each deficiency as a provision for the hereafter. Lastly, we highlighted that by being pleased with good actions, we can partake in their rewards in the hereafter.
How do you deal with the hardships of this world? We’d be happy to hear your thoughts.