Appreciate Life While Alive

Bismi Llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm

Mawlānā Shaykh Nāẓim used to say that one must appreciate life while alive. Uttering this single word, “Lā ilāha illā Llāh Muḥammadun Rasūlu Llāh”, is more beneficial for a person than lying in a grave for a thousand years. Therefore, one must appreciate life while living in this world and prepare accordingly.

One should recite, do as many good deeds and acts of charity as possible for the hereafter. There is no deed after the grave, after the hereafter. Only if one has a righteous child who will recited for them. But still, the best thing is to appreciate life while living, and not waste it.

People now are preoccupied with many unnecessary things, many pointless pursuits. In the past, they would hang out in coffee shops, here and there. Now, they don’t go to coffee shops anymore, they sit at home all day, not going out, watching pointless things from morning till evening, from evening till morning, wasting their time.

And sometimes, it’s not just wasted time; they’re also committing sins. They watch bad things. They watch things that confuse their minds.

Therefore, we mustn’t waste our precious time on such unnecessary things. Those who do this think they are being distracted, passing time. This pastime is “لَهْوٌ”, “Lahuw.” “اعْلَمُوا أَنَّمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا لَعِبٌ وَلَهْوٌ”, “Annamā l-ḥayātu d-dunyā laʿibun wa-lahwun”, “Know that the life of this world is only play and amusement.” (Qur’an 57:20).

Worldly life is play and amusement. We shouldn’t engage in that either. We should do what is beneficial. You don’t have to do unnecessary things. They won’t bring you a new life or any benefit.

We must pay attention to this. Life is precious. Our time is precious. Wasting it on pointless things is a great loss. It’s not wise to throw away precious jewels and deal with useless garbage.

May Allāh ﷻ grant us all a blessed life. May we work for the hereafter, in shā’a Llāh. May Allāh ﷻ help us. May He ﷻ keep us away from the traps of shayṭān. May Allāh ﷻ help the Ummah. Wa min Allah at-Tawfiq.

Al-Fatiha.

•⁠ ⁠Mawlana Sheikh Muhammad Adil ar-Rabbaniق

6 April 2026/ 18 Shawwal 1447

Fajr Prayer – Akbaba Dergah, Istanbul

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