Advanced search
Visit
7404
Last Updated: 2010/08/21
Summary of question
Is there a way to have welfare and tranquility in this world and the next together?
question
Is there a way to have welfare and tranquility in this world and the next together?
Concise answer

Because of its unique essence, and considering its degree of existence, this world is a mix of happiness and sorrow, joy and grief, and hardship and ease. You can never find total bliss and happiness in it. Some of the hardships people may have in it are actually divine tests so that the believing can be distinguished from the rest.

As for true welfare and happiness, it can only be found in the hereafter, and it only belongs to the righteous and believing, and is obtained through effort and action in this world. This world serves as a prelude to the next.

Of course if what you mean by happiness and welfare are the blessings of this world such as wealth and high positions and ranks, it must be said that yes, it is possible for one to have these and at the same time secure happiness and bliss in the hereafter as well, given that he is a pious believer; a good example of such, would be Prophet Suleyman (pbuh).

Detailed Answer

The nature and existential essence of this world is in a way that no one living in it, kafir or mu’min, is free from sorrow and pain; even the wealthiest may suffer from problems that the poor may never experience. The reason for all this being that this world is a world of interference and clash between things, pain, hardship, restriction and transience. This leads to it being a mix of the causes of tragedy, pain, illness, hardship, defeat, and the causes of success, victory, happiness, joy and welfare. Thus, you can never find anyone in it who enjoys total bliss and happiness and never suffers from any hardship at all, just like you can never find anyone who suffers from total misery without experiencing any happiness. There are many wealthy people who at first sight may seem to enjoy perfect lives without any problems, while as a matter fact may suffer from mental, physical, psychological, or family related issues.

Allah (swt) has designed this world in a way that it remains a means of testing for man at all times, so that the good can be separated from the bad.

At the same time, in many cases, hardship and defeat are preludes to relief and success, and tragedies lead to the awakening of people, wiping out all signs of ignorance and forgetfulness and entailing the remembrance of the Lord.[1] Allah (swt) says in the Quran: “Certainly We afflicted Pharaoh's clan with droughts and loss of produce, so that they may take admonition”[2].

All of this being said, true and lasting prosperity, pleasure and happiness can only be found in the hereafter and belonging to the pious mu’minin at that. Of course this world is the bridge to the next, and the only way to secure salvation and prosperity there is through acting and making an effort in this world. Therefore, this world not only is devoid of negative value, but bears positive value, like the hereafter.

To conclude, true happiness and joy (that is not tainted with any hardship and sorrow) can only be found in the next life, so it doesn’t make sense to say that one can have true happiness in this world and the next; true happiness belongs to the pious believers in the next life only.

But if what is meant by happiness and welfare, is relative happiness, which is to enjoy the blessings of this life, such as wealth and high positions, then one can have it in both this life and the next, given that he is a pious believer; a good example for this being Prophet Suleyman (pbuh).


[1] Kashefi, Mohammad Reza, with help from the book “Khodashenasi”, pp. 94-101.

[2] A’raf:130.

Question translations in other languages
Comments
Number of comments 0
Please enter the value
Example : Yourname@YourDomane.ext
Please enter the value
Please enter the value

Thematic Category

Random questions

  • Is lobster, clam, oyster and octopus halal?
    110783 Laws and Jurisprudence 2012/02/18
    Eating lobster, clam, oyster and octopus is haram. According to religious resources regarding halal and haram meat, there are general rulings and numerous standards; for instance, a set of rulings has been given for land animals, sea creatures, birds and so on.The condition for halal meat sea ...
  • Is ‘Apprehension’ a quality that can be attributed to God?
    6722 Traditional 2012/04/17
    Taking into consideration the verse “لا تُدْرِكُهُ الْأَبْصارُ وَ هُوَ يُدْرِكُ الْأَبْصارَ وَ هُوَ اللَّطيفُ الْخَبيرُ”[1], Mudrik (being apprehensive) is one of God’s names.[2] In the Quran and traditions, this attribute (Mudrik)[3] has been mentioned explicitly, thus ...
  • Please explain the concept of infallibility. Is it possible for anyone besides the infallible imams (as) to be infallible?
    11727 Traditional 2009/06/22
    In a theological dictionary, one the possesses infallibility would be defined as an infallible. An infallible is one who, by the grace of God, is free from all forms of mistake and error, and does not commit even the smallest of sins. However, one who is infallible isn't ...
  • What are the ways through which one may get rid of lusts?
    8337 Practical 2011/08/04
    Sins are like an ill-smelling putrid bog. The deeper a person gets into it the less he feels its disgusting smell because his smelling taste ceases to function. However, a person's firm decision to discontinue this path is by itself a victory. One who has achieved victory ...
  • How do we return to nothingness?
    8112 Contextual study 2009/09/23
    This question doesn’t have a brief answer. Please click on the detailed answer. ...
  • What is meant by the Makr of Allah that has been mentioned in the Quran?
    22017 Exegesis 2011/04/20
    “Makr” means to devise for good or evil and this is why it is described by the word “السَّیئ” (bad/evil) in the Quran.Allah’s Makr: The many verses that attribute “Makr” to Allah refer to his supreme direction and regulation of matters.  Since he is the ...
  • Is it permissible to open and close tap several times during Wudhu so as not to waste water?
    8929 Laws and Jurisprudence 2012/09/22
    Office of Grand Ayatollah Khamenei (may Allah grant him long life): There is no problem in it. Generally speaking, there is no objection in opening and closing tap before washing the left hand completely. However, if one touches a wet thing (such as a wet ...
  • What is Nafaqah?
    13509 Laws and Jurisprudence 2012/04/19
    ‘Nafaqah’ is a jurisprudential term used for women, kin (relatives) and property. It is predominantly used for women/wives and denotes the financial support that is obligatory upon men (when certain conditions are met) to provide for their spouses.[1] The Nafaqah usually covers the wife’s ...
  • Are there any guidelines in the Islamic sources about fashion and clothing?
    9366 Practical 2012/07/15
    Although Islam lays great emphasis on spiritual modesty of human beings (clothing of piety), the outward clothing is also a bounty which God, the Exalted, has bestowed exclusively upon human beings out of various beings. For this reason, Islam attaches significant importance to it and it deals ...
  • How should one, who has masturbated, repent? What are the ways through which one can make up for the physical and spiritual harms of masturbation?
    53807 Laws and Jurisprudence 2011/08/10
    Sins are like an ill-smelling putrid bog. The deeper a person goes into it the less he feels its disgusting smell because his smelling taste ceases to function properly. However, a person's firm decision to discontinue lusting is by itself a victory.Masturbation has been considered to be one of ...

Popular