The Five Stages of Our Existence

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ 

Shaykh ‘Utsman Nuri Tufbas wrote, in “Islam, Spirit & Form”, Allah (s.w.t.) has Ordained five stages for human life.  The first stage is the realm of souls; the second is the period spent in the mother’s womb; the third stage is the temporal life in this world; the fourth stage is the period spent in the intermediate stage and the grave; the fifth stage is the Hereafter and eternal life either in Heaven or in Hell. 

The temporal life was Granted to mankind as a test: Salvation and eternal happiness depend upon deeds and conduct of humankind in this temporal life.  Belief in the Hereafter is one of the principles of six articles of faith enabling men to become aware of the fact that there is a Reward or a Punishment in return for these deeds and acts and thus men have responsibilities during this temporal life.  Important significance was attributed to the belief in the Hereafter to the extent that it is Mentioned in many verses in the Qur’an together with the belief in Allah (s.w.t.). 

Allah (s.w.t.) Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ البَقَرَة

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَٱلَّذِينَ هَادُواْ وَٱلنَّصَـٰرَىٰ وَٱلصَّـٰبِـِٔينَ مَنۡ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأَخِرِ وَعَمِلَ صَـٰلِحً۬ا فَلَهُمۡ أَجۡرُهُمۡ عِندَ رَبِّهِمۡ وَلَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡہِمۡ وَلَا هُمۡ يَحۡزَنُونَ (٦٢) 

Those who believe (in the Qur’an) and those who follow the Jewish (Scriptures) and the Christians and the Sabians, any who believe in Allah and the Last Day and work righteousness, shall have their Reward with their Lord; on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. (Surah al-Baqarah:62) 

In praise of the qualities of believers: 

سُوۡرَةُ التّوبَة

۞ وَلَوۡ أَرَادُواْ ٱلۡخُرُوجَ لَأَعَدُّواْ لَهُ ۥ عُدَّةً۬ وَلَـٰكِن ڪَرِهَ ٱللَّهُ ٱنۢبِعَاثَهُمۡ فَثَبَّطَهُمۡ وَقِيلَ ٱقۡعُدُواْ مَعَ ٱلۡقَـٰعِدِينَ (٤٦) 

If they had intended to come out, they would certainly have made some preparation therefor; but Allah was Averse to their being sent forth; so He Made them lag behind and they were told, “Sit you among those who sit (inactive).” (Surah at-Tawbah:46) 

The verses draw attention to the characteristics of belief in Allah (s.w.t.) and the Last Day.  The Hereafter that will begin after death is a new, real and an eternal life.  The respected verse states: 

سُوۡرَةُ العَنکبوت

وَمَا هَـٰذِهِ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنۡيَآ إِلَّا لَهۡوٌ۬ وَلَعِبٌ۬‌ۚ وَإِنَّ ٱلدَّارَ ٱلۡأَخِرَةَ لَهِىَ ٱلۡحَيَوَانُ‌ۚ لَوۡ ڪَانُواْ يَعۡلَمُونَ (٦٤) 

What is the life of this world but amusement and play?  But verily the Home in the Hereafter that is life indeed if they but knew. (Surah al-‘Ankabut:64) 

Because of knowing this anyone would put every moment to good use and seize every opportunity and never remain unwary of Allah (s.w.t.) for a moment.  Their life turns into a life of worship full of good deeds.  They are in a state between awe and hope regarding their fate and final destination.  Their hearts cry and eyes shed tears because of the fear of Allah (s.w.t.) and worry of the reckoning on the Day of Judgement. 

It is narrated that a pious man came to a market.  He was going to buy a few items he needed.  He had calculated the cost of what he planned to purchase and decided that he had enough money.  However, when he went to the market he realised that the money he had was not enough to finish the shopping.  Thus, that pious man started to cry and continued while the people around him were surprised seeing him in that situation.  They tried to comfort him by telling him that crying for not having sufficient money was not correct behaviour.  After a while, this pious man recovered from his state and addressed the astonished people while sobbing, “Don’t assume that my tears are shed for this world!  I have realised that my calculation at home did not correspond to the account in the market!  How then can the calculation of the account in this world be suited tomorrow to accord with that in the Hereafter!” 

No doubt, tears that are shed for the sake of worship and serving Allah (s.w.t.) in this life would bring a smile in the Hereafter.