Temporary.

One of the most terrifying yet relieving words that could exist.

I am relieved that this void I have settled myself into will be over with one day. But I am terrified for it to finish before I am ready. Although it often breaks me, again and again- there are undoubtedly days where I fall in love with this world and everything it holds.

I am relieved to know that these pains and troubles are not permanent and are as temporary as the world that caused it.

But I am terrified that the happy moments and memories I live for will be over within a blink of an eye. One day the people I share those little things with, the things that make life worth living, will be non-existent and I am terrified of not knowing when that day will be. I’m terrified of my attachment to this temporary place. A place that means everything and nothing to me at the same time.

With news platforms recently covering countless global harrowing events, I’ve come to the hard realisation of life’s fragility. Of its temporality and it’s nothingness. Everyone and everything, in all its essence, has no true certainty. Whether you’re young, rich, educated, funny, pretty or employed. Whether it’s a car, a house, an interview, a favourite bracelet or a relationship. Everything has a sell-by date.

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We can’t pretend we haven’t been told. We’ve all heard the proverbs, heard the philosophers, and heard our grandparents warning us about how short life is. We’ve read the Quran ayahs reminding us that,

“By time, indeed man 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.” {Surah Al-Asr 103:1-3}

We know of the poets who urge us to cease the day. We use the term ‘YOLO’ like we’re certain of it. But I guess sometimes, we have to see it for ourselves. We have to make our own mistakes. We have to learn our own lessons.

The Prophet (pbuh) advised us to

“Live in this world as if you are a traveller or stranger.”

{Bukhari}

It’s written and we have been told that this world is not our final destination, yet we attach ourselves to this abode as though we’re here forever. The Dunya, in its ultimate nature, is that but a fleeting moment. And as humans- the most fragile of beings, we live to seek attachment and yearn for a comfortable settlement. We crave for an eternity of goodness, but displacing our hearts in the Dunya, simply makes us our own heartbreakers. Truly this life is too short to chase anything other than Allah’s pleasure, and as Imam As Shafi narrated-

“This world is but a moment, so make it a moment of obedience.”

So live as well and as happy as you can be. As much as you can keep this world and all it contains- the good and the bad, in your hand and not in your heart. Live to seek His pleasure and you’ll find the best of pleasures in your own life. Detach yourself from excess baggage, of worldly attachments, emotions, and possessions.

Own as you need, but do not allow anything to own you.

And remember, “When you survive till the evening, do not expect to live until the morning; and when you survive until the morning, do not expect to live until the evening; do good deeds when you are in good health before you fall sick, and do good deeds as long as you are alive before death strikes.” {Bukhari}

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