The reality of life
Syed Mustafa Ahmad
Life is named struggle. In other words, the purpose of life is ups and downs. From birth until death, one moment is of happiness and another is surely of sorrow. This transient life passes by amidst these moments of sadness and joy, and man bids farewell to this world, reaching a place from where no voice returns.
Everyone, from thinkers to the common man, has pondered deeply about life. Some said one thing, others piled up heaps of different terminologies. For some, life is a journey; for others, it is preparation for the hereafter. Besides this, someone else says life is about eating, drinking, and enjoying.
Elsewhere, someone says life is a curse whose punishment is being meted out in this world. In short, so many opinions, so many views. However, the thing that is common in all terminologies is that life is named struggle.
Holding onto the skirt of foresight even in moments of sadness is called life. When the storm refuses to subside, steering one’s boat into that storm is life. When darkness seems endless, searching for light at that time is life.
However, a limited view of life prevails among us. Eating, drinking, sleeping, earning, building a house, getting married, securing the future of one’s children, accumulating wealth, appearing virtuous in society’s eyes, hearing praise from people, etc.
Some of the things mentioned above are counted among the basic necessities of life. There is no alternative without them. However, this alone is not complete life.If it is not wrong to say, this is an incomplete life.
Animals also eat and drink. Everyone earns. Animals also have their nests. They are also full of love and affection. Qualities of kindness and compassion are found in them. So then, what difference remains between the living of a human and an animal?
If a human is only preoccupied with the thought that the meaning of life is success and success lies in materialism, then it becomes clear that this kind of life is no life at all.
How is it possible that Allah Almighty sent humans here only for limited purposes and the intelligence and foresight given to humans serve no benefit! God has also sent humans here for some specific purposes. Forgetting them and becoming obsessed with a few things is beyond reason. In a vast universe, becoming accustomed to only a few flowers and thorns is completely contrary to wisdom and human values.
To live life in its true sense, besides basic necessities, one must also practice some universal principles. One must rise above things and look beyond. One must give priority to reality but place superficial glances on a lower pedestal.
Diversity is the breath of life. Reflecting on this diversity is very important. Besides this, contemplating the philosophy of death is also very essential. The changing phases of the sun and moon, the coming and going of different seasons, becoming acquainted with the realities of pain and suffering, weighing the fundamental principles of religions, etc., are necessary in every era, and this itself is life. The stomach is never filled.
What, after all, is its reality? Greed has no limit. What is that thing which provides true peace? An even more important question is, what is peace? Why is there so much hatred for suffering? Why does everyone want to be happy? What, after all, is so special about this happiness? Why are ascetics born? What is meant by the self? Why is it necessary to control the self? If there were no self, what would happen? Why does the self-become uncontrollable? What is the reality of the self? All these things are called the real life. Furthermore, what is my origin and my end? What is the reality of God? Does anything exist in this world without Him? What would happen if He lifted His hand from our heads?
We should take an account of our lives. This will bring improvement and order to our lives. There is no guarantee in this disordered life. So, before this transient life ends, we should die (to the self) so that we never have to die again.
This life is but a fleeting guest. Since it has to leave, before it departs, let us do something such that our living becomes immortal. Death is a reality. However, how we live is up to us. Therefore, let us start living. Lest it turns out to be too late.
