'I wish that I were dust' : Surat Al-Naba’ v. 40 ⁣ ⁣ The last verse of a powerful surah devoted to the Day of Judgment. ⁣ ⁣ The Quran describes akhirah a lot. ⁣ ⁣ And we don’t talk about akhira enough. ⁣ ⁣ When was the last time you had a conversation with someone about akhirah? Not at a conference, or watching a video online. Not during some special occasion or at a halaqa in a masjid. ⁣ ⁣ Like in a car, reminding each other. Or in a mundane moment.⁣ ⁣ The companions used to sit down to remind each other and say, ⁣ ⁣ 'Let us believe for a little while.' ⁣ ⁣ It’s like having a jolt of faith to nourish your soul in a world that is constantly attempting to get you to sell your

Today, as I was walking on the roadside, I saw this man holding his shoes, screaming, continuously calling for death. It was such a disturbing scene. I don't know what led him to do this, and I cannot claim to understand his situation, but all I could surmise from his actions was that he was in such despair that he wanted death. Which made me wonder: if the affairs of this Dunyah can lead a grown man to such despair that he wishes for death – knowing very well that death is a possibility – what then of the despair of the Day of Judgement, when the disbelievers will call for death, while knowing very well there is no more death? May Allah protect us from the despair, the humiliation, and the

Do you remember that feeling when you did something bad as a child and you were waiting for your punishment. That feeling of regret. You would literally be on your best behaviour and act remorseful in the hopes that they, whether it be your teacher or parent, go easy on you. That's what comes to mind when I read these ayaat and it's acompanied by a sinking feeling at the pit of my stomach. A feeling of realisation that when we do something wrong in this life we still have a chance to make ammends. But on that Day, the Day of Regret, there will be no more opportunities. No more second chances. Whether we make a big fuss, or whether we 'come quietly' it's all the same in the end. And w