Death will come quicker than expected
📖Sunan Abī Dāwūd 5235
Abdullah ibn Amr reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ passed by me while I was plastering a wall belonging to me and my mother. The Prophet ﷺ said, “What is this, O Abdullah?” I said, “O Messenger of Allah, it is something I am repairing.” The Prophet ﷺ said, “The matter of death will come quicker than the ruin of this wall.”
This Hadith provides a clear illustration of the brevity of life. No matter how much effort we put into building or repairing things in this world – whether a physical wall, wealth, or personal achievements – life is fleeting, and death can arrive faster than we anticipate. Just like the wall that must eventually be repaired again, human life is temporary, and all worldly accomplishments are fragile and perishable, It reminds us to prioritize what truly matters: preparing for the Hereafter, seeking Allah’s pleasure, performing righteous deeds, and investing in acts that bring eternal benefit, rather than being overly attached to temporary worldly matters.
It does not mean we must stop working or enjoying the world; rather, it serves as a reminder to not forget that life is temporary and to seek our worldly share wisely while also preparing for the Hereafter.
📖Quran 28:77
But seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter; and [yet], do not forget your share of the world. And do good as Allah has done good to you. And desire not corruption in the land. Indeed, Allah does not like corrupters.
Lessons for Today
- Life is short and unpredictable: Just as a wall may crumble faster than expected, our lives can end suddenly.
- Focus on lasting deeds: Invest in knowledge, charity, worship, and moral actions that endure beyond death.
- Mindful planning: While it is good to improve our worldly affairs, we must remember that they are temporary, and we cannot delay preparing for the Hereafter.
Example: You may spend years building a house, career, or reputation. Despite all the effort, a sudden event – illness, accident, or death – can end your time, showing the importance of balancing worldly pursuits with eternal goals.
Quranic Context
📖Quran 57:20
“Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children — like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris. And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and approval. And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion.”
📖Quran 103:1-3
“By time, indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.”
These verses highlight that worldly life is temporary and often deceptive, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing faith, good deeds, and preparation for the eternal Hereafter.