The Example of the One who Makes the World His Goal

Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) once mentioned the following:

Our Sheikh, Haaji Imdaadullah Saheb (rahimahullah), would say that the example of the world and the Hereafter is like a bird and its shadow. The Hereafter can be likened to the bird, and the world can be likened to its shadow. If you catch hold of the bird, then together with you obtaining the bird, the shadow will come with it, and if you catch hold of the shadow (of a bird that is flying), then neither will you acquire the shadow nor the bird.

This does not mean that the one who gets the Hereafter will necessarily acquire abundant wealth of the world. Rather, this means that those who make the Hereafter their goal and acquire the wealth of the Hereafter (through pleasing Allah Ta‘ala and following the commandments of Shari’ah) – Allah Ta‘ala will bless them with true happiness, and peace and contentment in their hearts.

In fact, Allah Ta‘ala will bless them with such peace and contentment that even the kings of the world do not enjoy. Thus, even if a person of the Hereafter does not possess wealth and riches, (then on account of his heart being connected with Allah Ta‘ala and the Hereafter and remaining pleased at all times with the decree of Allah Ta‘ala) he will still be at ease, and with the little that he has, he will enjoy more peace and contentment than others.

(Malfoozaat Hakeemul Ummat 23/83)