What I want is Life that is not Ended by Death

It is reported that during one of his journeys, Dhul-Qarnain passed through a city that was once ruled by seven successive kings. Upon meeting some of the inhabitants of the city, Dhul-Qarnain asked, “Are any of the descendents of those kings alive today?”

They said, “ Yes, a single male descendent, yet he steers clear of human beings and keeps company with no one; in fact, he spends much of his time in the graveyard.”

Dhul-Qarnain said, “Tell me where I can find him.” He then went to meet with the eccentric-sounding of kings. When he finally met him, he noticed that he looked weak and had an emaciated body. Though Dhul-Qarnain didn’t know it, the man’s body was so thin not from a lack of resources, but from constant worship and a general lack of concern for material pleasure. Dhul-Qarnain extended greetings of peace to the man, who then returned those greetings. Dhul-Qarnain then asked, “Why do you spend so much time in the graveyard?”

The man lowered his head for a moment, and after a brief pause, he raised it and said, “I initially wanted to see if I could distinguish between the bones of kings and the bones of their slaves, but of course I wasn’t able to do so. Their end is the same.”

Dhul-Qarnain said, “If you wish to follow me, I will help you to rekindle the honor of your fathers –that is, if you have the ambition that is needed to achieve that end.”

The man said, “My ambition for that is little. But if you really want to help me.”

Dhul-Qarnain said, “What is it that you desire (and I will then try to help you to achieve your goal)?”

He said, “What I want is life that is not ended by death, youth that is never supplanted by old age, and richness that is never followed by poverty.”

 “I cannot help you achieve that end,” said Dhul-Qarnain.

The man said, “Then go on to your business, and leave me to seek the fulfillment of my goal from He Who is able to help me. For indeed, this world is departing, and the Hereafter draws near. The journey is long, yet I have not much provision (i.e. good deeds) for it.”

Let’s ask ourselves, have we prepared ample provisions for our journey.

O Allah protect us from the Zina of this world verily the life in this world is nothing except deception Ameen!