You might ask me as to what is the method to acquire this quality and what are its requirements? I would again say there are two methods, reflective and practical.
The reflective method is that you should not be contented only after declaring 'I believe in Hereafter' rather make it a habit to study the Qur'an fully grasping its spirit and meaning. This method of studying the Qur'an will gradually develop such a conviction in Hereafter as if you have seen it with your own eyes. There is not perhaps a single page in the Qur'an where the Hereafter is not mentioned in one way or the other. At places you will find the Hereafter portrayed in such a detail as if an eye witness account is being reported. At many places in the Qur'an, life in Hereafter is projected in such an exquisite manner that the-reader feels himself present as an observer. Only if the camouflage of this world is removed, one can witness with his own eyes whatever is being narrated in the Qur'an Hence continuous study of the Qur'an with full comprehension can gradually raise one to a position where the concern for the Hereafter gets complete hold of his mind, and he begins to feel actually at all times that he is to prepare himself in this temporary worldly life for his permanent abode of life after death.
This attitude and perspective gets stronger by the study of the Hadith wherein details about life after death are often described just like eye-witness accounts. This reminds us of the fact how the conviction and firm belief in the Hereafter dominated the lives of the Prophet (p) and his companions.
This conviction in Hereafter is further strengthened by visits to graveyards which should be made solely to achieve the purpose of remembering ones own end as advised by the Prophet (p). One should remember while living in this world of desires and passions that a day will come when he will also depart from this world like his predecessors. However one should be careful that those tombs and shrines will not serve any purpose which the wayward people claim to be the centres where every wish is granted and all problems are resolved. Instead you should visit she graveyards of the common men or the grand mausoleums of monarchs deprived of the pomp and show of body-guards and aide de-camps to make the people observe the formalities in the presence of such monarchs.
Now let us take the practical method. While living in this world and taking part in the affairs of your community, friends, acquaintances, your city, country or in the matters of your own efforts. Outside help can only be acquired by profession or finances you often find yourself at the crossroads. Belief in the life Hereafter calls you towards one way while material gains and interests press you to go the other way. Try your level best to proceed on the way mentioned first. If you nave chosen the other way because of any weakness or unawareness retrace your steps as soon as you realise the mistake, unmindful of how far have you gone the wrong way. Look unto yourself and try to find out how often did the worldly interests and attractions succeed in getting you absorbed in it and how many times did you succeed in avoiding detraction from the right path, and consideration for the life Hereafter dominated over you. This assessment of your own self shall tell you exactly how much your concern for the life Hereafter has increased and to what extent you are required to make up the deficiency. Whatever deficiency you feel, try hard to make it up keeping away from the companionship of materialists and by developing friendship with the pious people who prefer the gains of the life Hereafter over this world. But remember, there is no way yet known to develop or discard any quality in you without your own efforts or potentials.
-- Abul A'la Maududi
collected from this link : http://web.youngmuslims.ca/online_library/books/hidayat/Hidayat7.html
The reflective method is that you should not be contented only after declaring 'I believe in Hereafter' rather make it a habit to study the Qur'an fully grasping its spirit and meaning. This method of studying the Qur'an will gradually develop such a conviction in Hereafter as if you have seen it with your own eyes. There is not perhaps a single page in the Qur'an where the Hereafter is not mentioned in one way or the other. At places you will find the Hereafter portrayed in such a detail as if an eye witness account is being reported. At many places in the Qur'an, life in Hereafter is projected in such an exquisite manner that the-reader feels himself present as an observer. Only if the camouflage of this world is removed, one can witness with his own eyes whatever is being narrated in the Qur'an Hence continuous study of the Qur'an with full comprehension can gradually raise one to a position where the concern for the Hereafter gets complete hold of his mind, and he begins to feel actually at all times that he is to prepare himself in this temporary worldly life for his permanent abode of life after death.
This attitude and perspective gets stronger by the study of the Hadith wherein details about life after death are often described just like eye-witness accounts. This reminds us of the fact how the conviction and firm belief in the Hereafter dominated the lives of the Prophet (p) and his companions.
This conviction in Hereafter is further strengthened by visits to graveyards which should be made solely to achieve the purpose of remembering ones own end as advised by the Prophet (p). One should remember while living in this world of desires and passions that a day will come when he will also depart from this world like his predecessors. However one should be careful that those tombs and shrines will not serve any purpose which the wayward people claim to be the centres where every wish is granted and all problems are resolved. Instead you should visit she graveyards of the common men or the grand mausoleums of monarchs deprived of the pomp and show of body-guards and aide de-camps to make the people observe the formalities in the presence of such monarchs.
Now let us take the practical method. While living in this world and taking part in the affairs of your community, friends, acquaintances, your city, country or in the matters of your own efforts. Outside help can only be acquired by profession or finances you often find yourself at the crossroads. Belief in the life Hereafter calls you towards one way while material gains and interests press you to go the other way. Try your level best to proceed on the way mentioned first. If you nave chosen the other way because of any weakness or unawareness retrace your steps as soon as you realise the mistake, unmindful of how far have you gone the wrong way. Look unto yourself and try to find out how often did the worldly interests and attractions succeed in getting you absorbed in it and how many times did you succeed in avoiding detraction from the right path, and consideration for the life Hereafter dominated over you. This assessment of your own self shall tell you exactly how much your concern for the life Hereafter has increased and to what extent you are required to make up the deficiency. Whatever deficiency you feel, try hard to make it up keeping away from the companionship of materialists and by developing friendship with the pious people who prefer the gains of the life Hereafter over this world. But remember, there is no way yet known to develop or discard any quality in you without your own efforts or potentials.
-- Abul A'la Maududi
collected from this link : http://web.youngmuslims.ca/online_library/books/hidayat/Hidayat7.html
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