The Meaning of the Statement of Allah the Exalted: "But you prefer the life of this world. But the Hereafter is better and more lasting."
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The Shaykh : Then Allah the Exalted said: [Al-A'la 87:16-17] The "bal" here is for transitional negation, not for absolute negation. The meaning is that after this reminder, you prefer the life of this world, meaning you prioritize it over the Hereafter. [Al-A'la 87:17] Thus, it combines temporal goodness and intrinsic goodness. The temporal goodness is by His saying: and the intrinsic goodness is by His saying: For this reason, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) informed us that and in it. O Allah, make us among the people of Paradise.
[Al-A'la 87:16-17] This world is not good and it is not more lasting. The enjoyment of this world is little, and whatever clarity comes in it becomes turbid. For this reason, the wise poet said:
"There is no sweetness in life as long as it is spoiled *** In its essence by the remembrance of death and old age"
And he spoke the truth. What sweetness is there in life in its essence when it is spoiled if you remember death and old age? Because if your life is prolonged, what do you become? An old man. You become so restricted that you are even a burden to your family. And if you die, you are finished with this world. So how can life be sweet?
"So there is no sweetness in life as long as it is spoiled *** In its essence by the remembrance of death and old age"
Also, this world is spoiled in its essence. The wise poet also said:
"A day is against us and a day is for us *** A day we are slaves and a day we are masters"
And this is the truth. You hardly pass ten clear days without any turbidity. Rather, turbidity is inevitable, either in yourself, or your family, or your neighbors, or your country, or your government, or abroad. This world is spoiled. And with that, does it remain? The answer is: No. A person does not know in which hour the caller will call him, in which moment. How many people had a morsel fall from their hand and they died, and a cup of coffee fell from their hand and they died. We do not know. So how do we prefer this life over the life of the Hereafter? That is foolishness.
(16) But you prefer the worldly life, (17) While the Hereafter is better and more enduring.
بل تؤثرون الحياة الدنيا . والآخرة خير وأبقىWhile the Hereafter is better and more enduring.
والآخرة خير وأبقىMore lasting
أبقىbetter
خيرThat the place of a whip of one of us in Paradise is better than this world
أن موضع سوط أحدنا في الجنة خير من الدنيا(16) But you prefer the worldly life, (17) While the Hereafter is better and more enduring.
بل تؤثرون الحياة الدنيا والآخرة خير وأبقى"There is no sweetness in life as long as it is spoiled *** In its essence by the remembrance of death and old age"
And he spoke the truth. What sweetness is there in life in its essence when it is spoiled if you remember death and old age? Because if your life is prolonged, what do you become? An old man. You become so restricted that you are even a burden to your family. And if you die, you are finished with this world. So how can life be sweet?
"So there is no sweetness in life as long as it is spoiled *** In its essence by the remembrance of death and old age"
Also, this world is spoiled in its essence. The wise poet also said:
"A day is against us and a day is for us *** A day we are slaves and a day we are masters"
And this is the truth. You hardly pass ten clear days without any turbidity. Rather, turbidity is inevitable, either in yourself, or your family, or your neighbors, or your country, or your government, or abroad. This world is spoiled. And with that, does it remain? The answer is: No. A person does not know in which hour the caller will call him, in which moment. How many people had a morsel fall from their hand and they died, and a cup of coffee fell from their hand and they died. We do not know. So how do we prefer this life over the life of the Hereafter? That is foolishness.