"AND THERE IS ANOTHER AMONG THEM WHO SAYS: 'OUR LORD, GIVE US GOOD IN THIS WORLD AND GOOD IN THE HEREAFTER AND SAVE US FROM THE PUNISHMENT OF FIRE." (SURAH AL-BAQARAH:201)

Part 3

This verse also corrects the erroneous claim by those ignorant mystics who believe that it is only Ibadah when one prays for the Aakhirah (Hereafter) and claim that they do not care about the mortal world. In reality, such a claim is false, as a human being is dependent upon this mortal world for his existence, his sustenance, and also for performing Ibadah and acts of worship. Without these, fulfilling the objectives of faith would become impossible. Therefore, the practice of the blessed Prophets of Allah Ta'alah has always been that they prayed to Allah for the best of both the worlds. One who thinks that praying to Allah for the good of this world is against piety and sainthood, is ignorant of the great station of prophethood, and ignorant of man's own place in this mortal world. However, this much is true that a person's entire struggle in life should not be devoted exclusively to the pursuit of material wealth, rather he should worry more about what will happen to him in the Aakhirah and keep praying for it.

To be continued...

From Ma'ariful Quran, by Mufti Muhammad Shafi RE