And put forward to them the example of the life of this world; it is like the water which We sent down from the sky. And the vegetation of the earth mingles with it, and becomes fresh and green. But (later) it becomes dry and broken pieces which the wind scatters. And Allah is Able to do everything. (Quran 18:45)
The Object of the Parable
Gentle drops of rain come down from the clouds in the sky which nourish the vegetation of the earth and help it to flourish in its splended display of colorings and greenery. Rich vegetation emerges, coating the earths surface as its adornment and clothing. Allah brings the earth to life.
When the vegetation dies it loses its color and substance, aging and decaying from its youthfulness to the state of being withered and without life. The plants lose their water and become dry with neither the fresh greenery nor the sweet smelling fragnance of their youthful life. Dead decayed broken pieces swept away by the scattering winds. Allah brings death after life.
Meaning of Hayaat Ad Dunya
In the above parable Allah mentions the Hayaat Ad Dunya which is the life of this world. Allah describes this life as the Dunya because it is near and lowly. This is why the heaven of stars above us is called the Samaa' Ad Dunya because it is the nearest and lowest heaven to Earth. Similarly Allah also refers to the worldy life as the Aajilah because it is the life of our present time.
The Meaning of the Parable
This life is very short in its duration. Even if one lived to be eighty years of age it would seem as though time passed quickly. Look at how fast summers come and go, think of eighty summers in a lifetime and you will understand the speed of this earthly life. A fleeting moment in time with memories like a mist.
The strength and beauty of this life is followed by its weakness and fraility. A show of rising splendour followed by its inevitable fall. It may appear fresh, sweet and pleasurable, but most surely it will fade, decay and be gone.
Allah has bestowed us with life, fashioning us in the womb of our mothers and allowing us to pass from stage to stage until finally bringing us forth into the World. He gives us strength after strength with youthfulness bringing the height of our beauty and strength, yet only for a moment in time. As time passes the beauty and strength of the human being fades becoming withered, shriveled and aged, no longer holding the beauty it once was bestowed. From the womb to the grave, the body returns as dust scattered in the earth with the soul waiting in the Barzakh. Family and wealth left behind. What kind of life were we building? With all authority and worldly investments gone each soul will bring forth nothing but its righteous deeds. This is a life of action and preparation before our time is finally gone.
Written by Kamillah Khan
