“The present life is nothing but sport and amusement. The true life is in the Abode of the Hereafter; if only they knew.”
(Al Qur’ān – 29:64)
The present worldly life is no more than a child’s play, which soon comes to an end and once such a play does end, the child heads towards his home. Even a king, who acts as a king in the world, is in reality not so. At an appointed hour his reign ends and he leaves the stage of the world empty-handed.
No one, irrespective of the position he holds, lives in this world for ever. Everyone is here for a short, pre-ordained term. Those who are swayed by worldly matters and even barter their faith and conscience to obtain worldly glory in fact commit a childish act. For they will enjoy this world for no more than a few years, at best for around 60-70 years. In any case, they are bound to die one day and enter the Next World where they will be able to carry nothing; rather, their excessive worldliness will prove to be their bane. So viewed, this life is no more than sport and amusement.
Had people realised that this world is no more than a term of trial and that the Next Life is everlasting, they would not have wasted the time allocated to them on senseless play and amusement. On the contrary, they would have utilised each and every moment to engage in acts that would improve their prospects in the unending life of the Hereafter.