CREATION OF MAN

Death is not the end of a person’s life. It is only the beginning of the next stage of life. Death is that interim stage when man leaves this temporary world of today for the eternal world of tomorrow. stay forever. The possessions and blessings of this world, although created in a way similar to their originals in Heaven, actually possess many defects and weaknesses. For they are only intended to make man remember the Hereafter. God describes how the world is a temporary place full of deception: “Never forget that the life of this world is only a game and a passing delight, a show, and mutual boasting and trying to outrival each other in riches and children. It is like the growth of vegetation after the rain, which delights the planter, but which then withers away, turns yellow and becomes worthless stubble. In the life to come there will be a terrible punishment, or God’s forgiveness and approval: the life of this world is nothing but a means of deception.” (57: 20) Just as it is stated in the Quran, all of the ignorant people live only for a few objectives such as riches and children and other things about which they can boast. In another verse, the goods and chattels of deception in the world are described thus: The satisfaction of worldly desires through women, and children, and heaped-up treasures of gold and silver, and pedigreed horses, and cattle and lands is attractive to people. All this is the provision of the worldly life; but the most excellent abode is with God. Say, ‘Shall I tell you of something better than all of these? For the God-fearing, there are Gardens in nearness to their God with rivers flowing through them where they shall live forever with pure spouses and the goodwill of God. God is watching His servants. (3: 14-15) The life of this world is extremely rudimentary and lacking in worth when compared to the eternal life in the Hereafter. To express this, the original Arabic word for the “world” has the connotation of a “scanty, crowded, dirty place”. People consider that their 60-70 year long life on this earth will be a long and satisfying one. Yet, in a very short time death comes and all are buried in their graves. As a matter of fact, as death comes closer, one realizes how short a time he has stayed in this world. On the Day of Resurrection, God will question the people. He will ask, ‘How many years did you stay on earth?’ They will say, ‘We stayed a day or part of a day. Ask those who have kept count.’ He will