Seize the opportunity of Ramadan

Selections from the words of Sheikh Muhammad ibn `Uthaymain (may Allah bestow mercy on his soul) (1)

It is our duty to seize the opportunity of our existence in the world so as to work for the Hereafter. It is amazing that the one who works for the Hereafter gains the reward of both the world and the Hereafter, whereas those who work for the world lose the world and the Hereafter. I do not decide this from my point of view, but this has been mentioned in the Book of Allah, where Allah (may He be Glorified and Exalted) says: "Whoever works righteousness (whether male or female) while he (or she) is a true believer (of Islâmic Monotheism) verily, to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter)." [Surat An-Nahl: 97]. The meaning of "a good life" is: In the world. Allah (Glory be to Him) says: "And We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter)." [Surat An-Nahl: 97].

As for the opposite, listen to the following Ayah which reads: "Say (O Muhammad peace be upon him): Shall We tell you the greatest losers in respect of (their) deeds? * Those whose efforts have been wasted in this life while they thought that they were acquiring good by their deeds! * They are those who deny the Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of their Lord and the Meeting with Him (in the Hereafter). So their works are in vain, and on the Day of Resurrection, We shall assign no weight for them."  [Surat Al Kahf: 103 - 105].

Dear valued brothers, if we understand these two facts: 1- The rapid vanish of the world as if a moment comes after another until death comes to man. 2- The real winner and loser is time and those who do not believe and do righteously, they shall be losers; we shall know that it is important to seize the opportunity of our existence in this world because finally we shall die.