LOVE OF WORLD AND FRIENDSHIP WITH DEATH

Love of world

Hatred towards death and love of the world is the outcome of an ignorant person's mind, who thinks that the happiness of this world is his prosperity and good fortune. The world sated with numerous troubles and anxieties is out to end in misery & does not enjoy eternity, perpetuity and sincerity. A poet has referred to this in the following words - "Do not give your heart to this world, for it's example is of an unfaithful bride who has never loved you, even for a night". The Holy Qur'an says that the love of this world is one of the characteristics of the disbelievers." (the disbelievers) are pleased with this world's life and are content with it". (Surah -Yunus : 71) In another place it is stated. "Are you contended with the life of this world instead of the Hereafter" (Surah-al-Bara'at : 38). For the jews it is said. " (Every one of them loves that he should be granted a life of a thousand years" (Surah-a1-Baqarah : 96) There are many traditions detesting the love of world. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.) says, "Verily the love of this world is the root--cause of every evil".

Friendship with death

It is of utmost importance that man should hold death dear and consider it an opportunity of meeting with his Almighty, and not hate it and consider it as evil, but should take lessons from it. He should ask forgiveness from Allah for his sins and tame the rebellious self (nafs). When the call of his Lord comes, he should welcome it with open arms accepting it to be a blessing from Allah. He should be contented with the decree (Qadr) of Allah. He should also rejoice that shortly he would be taken to the presence of Ahlulbait (A.S.) and meet his deceased companions and other believer brothers. He should also not be disheartened by the delay in death but should consider it as an opportunity afforded by Allah to him to repent. This delay would give him a chance to gather provisions useful for his journey to the other world, for the journey is tiresome and full of dangerous valleys & difficult paths.