What affects me most about this ayah is how simple and short it is, how the message is so obvious, how the accusation (i.e. the love of life) is so real, and how the phrasing (i.e. to love a 'fleeting' life) shows so clearly the absurdity of the proposition.

Like we're being told, there's no need to overcomplicate it, there's no need to 'beat around the bush'; quite simply, look at what you're doing - you love a fleeting life! Or to expand it out, you love / chase after / prefer / invest all your time into a temporary / short / non-existent (when compared to eternity) life.     

Like when your best friend sees you doing something silly and simply says, 'What on earth…?' or 'Are you for real?'. When something is so absurd, even the simplest and shortest of reminders should be enough to wake us up to the reality of it.

Insha’Allah just by the act of reflecting on the Words of Allah, we’re able to endure, beyond this fleeting life.

Beautifully expressed masha'Allah. Jazakallahu khair for sharing this.


Most people make New Year's resolutions, but about 90% fail to keep them beyond two weeks. This is a well-discussed topic among psychologists. A primary reason for this failure is that people crave immediate results - يحبون العاجلة- instant gratification. When they don't receive it, they quit pursuing their goals.

Another significant reason for the failure of these resolutions is that people often set collective and competitive goals. They draw inspiration from others in their social circle and set objectives, but hardly anyone reaches the endpoint. This is because they haven't internalized their goals. They lack the roadmap for actualization.
(https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/life/2025/01/01/new-year-make-resolutions)

I've experienced this myself. I once read a tweet saying, 'Alhamdulillah, I didn't miss a single Tahajjud prayer this year.' I read it with envy, wondering how someone could maintain such consistency. I thought I'd try too, but I failed miserably. My entire year had barely two months of consistent Tahajjud prayers.

Upon reflection, I realized I had approached Tahajjud as an exercise, focusing on waking up at midnight to pray a certain number of rakats. However, I hadn't taken the first step on the path that leads to this habit. My motivation was superficial, sparked by that tweet, rather than a genuine desire to cultivate this practice. 

Allah SWT didn't even approve of this approach for the Quran. Revelation wasn't just about reciting the Quran; if it were, Allah wouldn't have told His beloved Prophet (PBUH) to slow down with the revelation. Instead, Allah SWT provided a roadmap for the Quran: gathering, recitation, following, and clarification. (جمع، قرأۃ، اتباع، بیان)
These four steps marked the journey from revelation to realization.
These same four steps are crucial for the actualization of our goals. Whether it's establishing a consistent Tahajjud prayer, reciting and memorizing the Quran, or any other objective, it requires more than just physical effort. It demands a continuous exercise of both heart and mind, a relentless pursuit that drives us to reach the ultimate goal.

So we are faced with two choices: either chase the elusive dream of instant gratification or embark on a journey of unwavering resolve, prioritizing long-term fulfillment and striving for goals that yield eternal triumph. 
May Allah SWT guide us to set goals that are worthy of pursuit, as we strive to emulate the noble values of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and may we remain steadfast in our obedience to his revered teachings.

jazakallah for this insight it reached me when i needed it the most may Allah increase you in beneficial knowledge and wisdom 

'Race toward the forgiveness from your Lord and a Garden whose width is like the width of the heavens and earth, prepared for those who believe in Allah and His Messengers.' (57:21)


Allah tells us to race to His forgiveness and then, right after that, He gives us a simple portrayal of the vastness of Paradise, almost as if by linking them we should try to picture in our minds how big and great Allah's forgiveness is, to feel a greater desire to race to His forgiveness.


But, if we look at the world today, what are most people running after?


They are running after the best cars, houses, luxury, money, their idols, social media, TikTok, Netflix, drama, and all things which do not have value in terms of getting them closer to Allah SWT. These things only give them a temporary surge of pleasure in their brains; they are racing for that fleeting dopamine experience but not for Allah's forgiveness, which is the best and everlasting experience.


But if they truly knew the value and importance of Allah's forgiveness, and how little time that they have in this present life, then I think that they would certainly be more eager to race towards it.


For example, if people were told that there is an amazing new item that has come out and there's a special discount for that for a limited time, they will rush to buy that item before the time runs out.


Likewise, if people believed and they truly understood the value of Allah's Mercy and the relatively shortness of this life, they would race for it every way possible. They would not race for the small things that they go after, as Allah says in another verse:


وَلَا تَمُدَّنَّ عَيْنَيْكَ إِلَىٰ مَا مَتَّعْنَا بِهِۦٓ أَزْوَٰجًا مِّنْهُمْ زَهْرَةَ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا لِنَفْتِنَهُمْ فِيهِ وَرِزْقُ رَبِّكَ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَىٰ


'Do not let your eyes crave what We have allowed some of the disbelievers to enjoy, the fleeting splendor of this worldly life, which We test them with. But your Lord’s provision in the Hereafter is far better and more lasting.' (20:131)


#RacetoForgiveness