Does Moving from the World to the Hereafter Require Certain Prerequisites?
Have you ever reflected on where our life is truly headed? Whether we wish it or not, we are in constant motion—moving from this world to the Hereafter. It is an unceasing journey, one we can neither halt at will nor escape. Yet, understanding the qualities and nature of this movement can help us travel this path more wisely. In truth, the journey toward eternity is a continuous progression that began before our worldly life and will ultimately return us to the home from which we came—eternity itself. This movement spans our existence in the mother’s womb, our life in this world, and the realm beyond, each stage intricately connected to the others. At every phase, we make use of the means available to prepare ourselves for the stage to come.
In this journey, a true halt occurs when we forget the purpose—like an author who, in the midst of writing a book, forgets the reason for writing it and instead becomes absorbed in insignificant details. This standstill can creep in quietly amid the distractions of daily life, or we may face an even greater danger: losing sight of the proper direction. In such cases, we not only cease moving forward but may even regress. Only steadfastness and swiftness in the right direction can bring us closer to a healthy birth into the Hereafter. This movement is also deeply tied to the very structure of our being. Still, moving from the world to the Hereafter carries other essentials and governing principles—matters we shall examine in this lesson.
What Are the Prerequisites for Our Movement?
Awareness of the goal, familiarity with the structure of our being, and knowledge of the path’s requirements are what enable us to travel this course correctly.
- We are headed toward an eternal destination, and the provisions for that journey must be acquired in the world—through its interactions, relationships, and trials. True success is not merely to have a healthy birth into the Hereafter, but to bring with us the very essentials needed for an everlasting life. This can only be achieved through constant attentiveness to our ultimate goal. A life without purpose is like a boat without a rudder—no matter how swiftly it moves, it will drift into nowhere. Even a single moment of negligence regarding our movement from the world to the Hereafter, and the purpose before us, can divert us from the path and halt our spiritual growth in this world—a loss greater than any other. To grasp the importance of keeping our goal in sight, imagine the state of a fetus that, instead of forming their limbs in preparation for life in this world, become absorbed in the limited existence of the womb, thus losing the opportunity to develop for the next stage.
- Beyond constant attention to the goal, our movement must also be in harmony with the structure of our being. As human beings, we possess an innate desire for the infinite, and this boundless infinity-seeking inevitably shapes the nature and quality of our progress. We cannot bear falling behind or being diminished; we desire to reach the destination as swiftly and strongly as possible. Yet, when we become entangled in hindrances such as laziness or apathy, our pace toward the goal is diminished. Such slowing—or worse, stopping—stands in conflict with our nature and brings upon us grief and anxiety.
- Understanding all of this does not lessen the importance of knowing how to move along this path. Even in worldly affairs, we prepare differently depending on the manner of travel—a journey by airplane requires different provisions than one by bicycle. Likewise, we must realize that the passage from the world to the Hereafter is not a simple, linear journey that can be measured by the passing of years. It is a transformation—a process of becoming—and in the gym of the world, the degree to which we grow to manifest the divine names and attributes of God determines how near we draw to acquire a sound heart, the very sign of having travelled rightly toward eternity.
Rules for Moving from the World to the Hereafter
Beyond knowing the prerequisites, we must also understand the rules that ensure a healthy passage to the Hereafter. Those who are well-acquainted with such rules are invariably more successful—and this truth holds equally for our spiritual journey. Just as seasoned mountaineers know when to advance, what provisions to take, and how to adjust their physical condition to the challenges of the path, we too must be mindful of the principles that govern our movement toward eternity. Any ignorance regarding the path, its conditions, or the matters that must be considered will, in the end, only work to our detriment.
The laws that govern our soul are the very same as those that govern a fetus in their passage from the womb to the world to the Hereafter. Just as a fetus cannot pause or turn back in their journey toward birth, our delay or negligence in striving to attain similarity to Allah and to acquire His divine names and attributes can forever deprive us of a healthy birth into the Hereafter. Our movement must be marked by swiftness and eagerness, yet accompanied by patience—for patience is the essential element that turns our knowledge into a true asset, and it is this that determines our success in fulfilling the very purpose of our creation and attaining a healthy birth into the Hereafter.
A Successful and Healthy Movement
Contrary to the common assumption that the world and the Hereafter are separate, they are in fact deeply intertwined. Just as a fetus, while still in the womb, prepare themself for a strong entrance into the world, we are at this very moment shaping our Hereafter. Similar to an apprentice who trains in the skills required for a future profession, the more wisely we act in our decisions, relationships, and the arrangement of our thoughts and behaviors, the smoother our passage from the world to the Hereafter will be. Thus, building a healthy inner world is not in opposition to the journey toward eternity—it is an inseparable part of it. States such as anxiety, anger, and confusion drain our focus and diminish our ability to perceive our position and continue along this path.
Without a healthy inner world, we cannot undertake a successful journey to the Hereafter or arrive at the destination in a sound state. Picture a fetus facing severe challenges in the womb—oxygen deprivation, lack of essential nutrients, or impaired placental blood flow. Under such conditions, they cannot adequately prepare for the life that awaits them; their development is compromised, and in extreme cases, miscarriage may occur. The same principle applies to our worldly life and the Hereafter. Human life follows a continuous structure: just as the fetus uses their resources in the womb to form the organs they will need in the world, we must use the resources and capabilities available in this life to align ourselves with the structure of the Hereafter.
For a successful journey, however, a healthy inner world alone is not enough—we also require a strong and reliable carrier, capable of withstanding the rigors of the path. in this journey, that carrier is our very self. With a weary, worn-out body and a scattered mind, we cannot traverse such a demanding road. It would be like attempting to climb a steep hill in a car with flat tires. Physical well-being, in addition to fitness, depends on healthy inputs—nourishment and care that not only preserve the body but also ready our faculties for a vigorous movement toward eternity.