If Allah gives us 60 years to live then it comes to around 22,000 days (60×365). Allah gives us all these days to prepare for one day of interview with Him. That is on the Day of Judgment. On that day, Allah will ask us some questions and He will need some correct answers. Allah is so merciful that He already told us what the questions will be through Quran and Hadith. His mercy is so great that He even told us the answers to these questions. Now imagine, a student goes to write an exam. He opens his examination paper and finds the questions on one side. Then he finds that the answers to the questions are on the other side. Now after writing the exam, if this student still fails then what would we think of him? We would think that he is the dumbest person around. Well, tell you what, on the Day of Judgment, we people who knew the questions and answers will still fail! That is why; this is the time to wake up before we prove ourselves to be the dumbest of people.
Youth is the most important time of our lives. This is where people make important decisions like what to become in the future. Things you do in this time will most likely affect you throughout the rest of your life. That is why, it is important to bring Islam into your life during these days. Many people have the conception that when they get old then they will start practicing Islam. Probably you and I also have this feeling. But look at it this way: If you want to become a famous football player, then you would start playing right from the youth. As you grow up, you will become better and better. But if you think that you will start playing when you are an old man then the chances of becoming famous is virtually zero. That’s the reality. When we become old, we won’t have enough energy to even stand up and pray.
The Prophet (saw) said:
“Take benefit of five (things) before five (things):
1. your youth before your old age,
2. your health before your sickness,
3. your wealth before your poverty,
4. your free-time before your preoccupation and
5. Your life before your death.” (By Hakim)
Because youth is the prime time of your life, that is why it is very precious to Allah. Allah has prepared a shade on the Day of Judgment for those people who used to worship Allah in their youth. On that Day, there will be no other shade except the shade from the throne of Allah. Imagine standing outside on a very hot day under the sun for hours after hours. You would definitely want some shadow to rest under. But what about that Day when the sun will be much nearer to us and the heat will be much more extreme. Wouldn’t you want some shade on that day?
You and I are all weak in terms of keeping our duties to Allah and Allah is aware of that. Allah wants that we keep trying to do our best. If a baby falls down while walking he tries to get up again and walk. He doesn’t keep sitting down. Then a day comes when he does start to walk. Similarly, we should keep trying our best and not give up. A day will come when, Insha’Allah, we will be strong enough to obey Allah in every situation. Let us make a small promise to Allah right now that we will start doing the things for which we were sent to this life. Otherwise, we will be like that dumb guy who will fail the test on the Day of Judgment.
May Allah make it easy for us. Ameen
