The reasons for antipathy and hatred toward the worldly life are varied. Some people dislike this transient life out of their desire for the reward from Allah Almighty and love to meet Him. Hence, one of the righteous predecessors said: "The gift of a believer is death." Such a person detests the worldly life because his life is attached to the hereafter. Although he dislikes the life of the world, he fulfills the right of Allah Almighty and the right of His servants and endeavors to do good as much as he can – in compliance with the verse that reads (what means): {And worship your Lord until there comes to you the certainty (death).} [Quran 15:99]

There are other people who dislike the worldly life not because of their love for the hereafter, but because they regard themselves as unlucky while others are more fortunate. Undoubtedly, this is a kind of displeasure with the predestination of Allah, the Exalted, Who grants and distributes sustenance. In the Quran, He says (what means): {And if Allah had extended [excessively] provision for His servants, they would have committed tyranny throughout the earth. But He sends [it] down in an amount which He wills. Indeed He is, of His servants, Acquainted and Seeing.} [Quran 42:27]

There is another type of people who hate the worldly life due to their afflictions, tiredness, and toil in it. Certainly, such people do not know the reality of this world, which is an abode for trial, hard work, and tiredness, especially for the righteous believer. Believers experience many sorts of afflictions which serve as a means of expiation for their sins and elevation of their ranks. Allah, the Exalted, says (what means): {We have certainly created man into hardship.} [Quran 90:4]. He also says (what means): {Do the people think that they will be left to say, “We believe,” and they will not be tried? But We have certainly tried those before them, and Allah will surely make evident those who are truthful, and He will surely make evident the liars.} [Quran 29:2-3] In another verse, He says (what means): {Allah would not leave the believers in that [state] you are in [presently] until He separates the evil from the good. Nor would Allah reveal to you the unseen. But [instead], Allah chooses of His messengers whom He wills, so believe in Allah and His messengers. And if you believe and fear Him, then for you is a great reward.} [Quran 3:179] And He says (what means): {And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient, who, when disaster strikes them, say: "Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return." Those are the ones upon whom are blessings from their Lord and mercy. And it is those who are the [rightly] guided.} [Quran 2:155-157]

My dear brother and sister, to which of these preceding types do you belong?

Remember how hard the Prophet was afflicted. His people showed hostility to him and he was opposed by the closest persons to him. Some people cursed him and others hurt him. He was expelled from his home and put under a harsh blockade. The disbelievers joined forces to assassinate him. His wife Khadeejah, may Allah be pleased with her, passed away in the most critical and hardest time for him. He would pass a month or two months with nothing to eat but water and dried dates. All of this happened to him, even though he is the Prophet and Messenger of Allah, the Exalted, and the one entrusted with His revelation. All this happened to him, even though he is the one with the praised station and the crowded basin, and even though all his faults, past and future, had already been forgiven.

So, what about us, the sinners, disobedient and negligent?

Tips:

First: Engage a lot in supplication and draw close to Allah Almighty through different acts of worship, such as prayer, zakah, and fasting. Implore your Lord to remove the discomfort in your heart and replace it with relief. In the Quran, Allah, the Exalted, says (what means): {Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah. Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured.} [Quran 13:28] He also says (what means): {Indeed, those who fear Allah – when an impulse touches them from Satan, they remember [Him] and at once they have insight.} [Quran 7:201]

Second: Know that what Allah Almighty predetermined for His servants is all good for them. Know that no matter how hard your worldly conditions become, the treasures of the heavens and the earth lie with the Almighty Lord. So, establish a good relationship with Him, and He will suffice you and spare you from asking people.

Third: You may feel distressed and grieved over something that passed and which you could not attain. In such a case, you should know that many a person asks persistently for something while he is not aware that it will cause his destruction, and many a person grieves over his failure to attain the things he wanted and he does not know that if he attained them, he would lose both his religious and worldly life. So, be pleased with the predestination and destiny of Allah, the Exalted, and seek help from Him, and do not lose heart.

Fourth: Check your heart and your relationship with the Almighty Lord closely. Indeed, a servant may be deprived of sustenance for a sin that he has committed.

Fifth: You may have personal or family problems. The solution to these problems lies in setting your priorities right and seeking help from Allah Almighty and then from experienced people for solving them.

Sixth: Know that the most afflicted among people are the Prophets and then the most pious and then the next in piety. Mus‘ab ibn Sa‘d narrated that his father related:

I said: "O Messenger of Allah ! Which of the people is tried most severely?" He said: "The Prophets, then those nearest to them, then those nearest to them. A man is tried according to his religion; if he is firm in his religion, his trials are more severe, and if he is frail in his religion, he is tried accordingly. The servant shall continue to be tried until he is left walking upon the earth without any sins." [Ahmad, Al-Albani: authentic]

Seventh: Engage regularly in worship and asking for forgiveness. Indeed, this is better for you than all worldly fortunes, no matter how abundant they are. This also serves to relieve your distress. It is reported in some traditions that he who keeps asking for forgiveness, Allah Almighty will make, for him, a way out of every distress and relief out of every hardship, and He will provide him from where he does not expect.