Life Supreme — Page 28
LIFE SUPREME 31 left behind'. " (23: 100, 101) "And Allah will not grant respite to a soul when its appointed time has come; and Allah is well aware of what you do. ". The soul is our real self. We are souls with bodies attached; not bodies with souls attached. Although both are inter-related, each influencing the other, the time comes when the soul shakes off the body as a snake sheds its skin. Our body is attached to the soul merely for a brief span of time so it is abundantly clear that the care of the soul should be the prime concern in life and that it is spiritual suicide to neglect spiritual aspirations for the love of material pleasures such as the accumulation of wealth, easy and licentious living, laziness, selfishness, etc. The embellishments of this world are evanescent while the fruits of self effort in the path of God are eternal. Material wealth and pleasures gained and enjoyed with God's disapproval are poisons which pollute the soul. Every Muslim should heed the voice of God and fully realise the danger of becoming entangled wrongfully in the affairs of this life. . Almighty God says regarding this world: "And the life of this world is only a play and a sport, but surely the abode of the Hereafter is better for those who are pious. Will ye not then understand?" (6:33) "O My people, this life of the world is but a temporary provision; and the Hereafter is certainly the home for permanent abode. " (40:40) " "Whereas the Hereafter is better and more lasting. (87:18). A fitting commentary on the foregoing verses has been epitomised by Hazrat Ali who said: "All the occupations of a wise man are for his self-reform, all his cares for the benefit of the next world, and all his endeavours for the good of the life to come. ". How may we aid ourselves in taking advantage of this wonderful advice? The following observation given by Sir Muhammad Zafrulla. Khan deserves our keenest attention. "The consciousness of living every moment of one's life in the sight of. God is the most effective deterrent against wrong-doing and the most potent incentive towards righteous action. " (Islam-Its Meaning for Modern Man)