Are you walking… or racing?
Many of us run tirelessly toward career, wealth, recognition, and comfort. Yet when it comes to the Hereafter, we slow down. The Quran teaches us to prioritize Akhirah, not Dunya.
The Quran quietly teaches us when to slow down and when to move with urgency. If you want to prioritize Akhirah, this mindset changes everything.
Allah says:
The life of this world is nothing but amusement and distraction. But the Home of the Hereafter is best for those who have Taqwa. Will you not understand?
Quran Chapter 6 Verse 32
Allah ends the verse with a powerful question: “Will you not understand?” As Muslims who want to become people of Taqwa, the lesson in this verse cannot be missed. The dunya is described as amusement and distraction, whereas the Hereafter is described as better because it is everlasting.
How the Quran Teaches Us to Prioritize Akhirah
Notice the words used in the verses that speak about Akhirah.
When speaking about the Hereafter, Allah says:
- “Race towards forgiveness from your Rabb.” (Quran 57:21)
- “Compete with one another for forgiveness.” (Quran 3:133)
- “Hurry to the remembrance of Allah.” (Quran 62:9)
These words indicate urgency.
But when speaking about worldly matters, Allah says:
- “Walk among its slopes and eat from His provision.” (Quran 67:15)
- “Spread through the land and seek Allah’s bounty.” (Quran 62:10)
Walk. Spread.
No rush.
The Quran’s language itself teaches us to prioritize Akhirah. The message is subtle but powerful: in Allah’s sight, Dunya does not deserve urgency. Akhirah does.
The Real Value of Dunya
The Prophet ﷺ clarified how little this world is worth:
If this world were worth the wing of a mosquito to Allah, He would not give a disbeliever even a sip of water from it.
Tirmidhi # 2320
He also said:
What is the world compared to the Hereafter except like one of you dipping his finger into the ocean, let him see what it returns with.
Sahih Muslim # 2858
The comparison is humbling. A drop compared to an ocean. Yet we race and compete for the drop.
Failing to Plan is Planning to Fail
Allah captures the regret of a person who failed to plan for the everlasting life in the Akhirah.
He will say: If only I had sent something forward for my life.
Quran Chapter 89 Verse 24
Notice that the person will say “my life” about the life in the Akhirah. This highlights that on the Day of Judgement, people will not even consider the worldly life as “life.”
In another powerful verse in the Quran, Allah says:
O you who believe, have Taqwa of Allah, and let every person look at what it has sent forward for tomorrow. And have Taqwa of Allah. Surely, Allah is fully aware of what you do.
Quran Chapter 59 Verse 18
Imam Ibn Kathir, commenting about this verse in his Tafsir says:
Hold yourselves accountable before you are held accountable, and look at what you have stored for yourselves of righteous deeds for the Day of your return and your presentation before your Rabb.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir 59:18
This highlights the importance of self-introspection and planning for our Akhirah.
You can use the self-assessment checklist to assess where you stand.
What are your investments for your Akhirah?
What plans will you do for your Akhirah?
Conclusion
Allah has blessed each of us with resources that we can use to prepare for our Akhirah. The question is: are we using them?
As people who seek to acquire Taqwa, we must prioritize the Akhirah over the Dunya. If you truly want to prioritize the Akhirah, let your sense of urgency reflect what Allah considers urgent.
Walk for the Dunya.
Race and compete for the Akhirah.
FAQs
Does Islam forbid working for Dunya?
No. Islam allows seeking provision but warns against making it your ultimate goal (Quran 28:77).
Why does the Quran describe Dunya as amusement?
Because compared to eternity, its pleasures are temporary and distracting (Quran 29:64).
What does it mean to prioritize Akhirah?
It means giving greater effort and urgency to deeds that benefit you after death over temporary gains in this world.
How can Ramadan help shift priorities?
Ramadan builds discipline, self-restraint, and awareness of accountability and self-introspection which are all foundations of Taqwa.
