Surah al-`Ankabut (The Spider ) 29 : 64

Explanatory Note

Against this backdrop of life on earth and our means of sustenance, whether plentiful or stinted, an accurate standard is provided against which to measure all values. Thus, we see that this world, with all that it provides of sustenance, comfort and pleasure, is trivial when compared with the life to come: “The life of this world is but amusement and play. It is the life to come that is the only true life, if they but knew it." When it is not viewed as a means to ensure happiness in the life to come, but felt to be, of itself, the ultimate objective and its pleasures coveted, this present life, with all that it can give, is no more than trifling play. It is the life to come that is the one that is full of life and fulfilment.

In saying so, the Qur’ān does not advocate a life of austerity that discards comfort and pleasure. This is contrary to what Islam encourages. What it means is that we should look to the hereafter when enjoying life’s pleasures, limiting ourselves to what God permits. Moreover, we should look at life’s comforts and pleasures as something dispensable, so as not to make of them the goal we seek at any price. What we need is a good sense of proportion so as to give everything its correct value. We must have a true measure showing the value of the present life vis-a-vis the hereafter. Thus we will he able to enjoy life’s pleasures as we please, knowing how to look at them: this present life is amusement and play, while the hereafter is the true life.