Description of Worldly Life (Dunya) in the Quran The Quran describes Dunya (worldly life) as a temporary, deceptive, and fleeting existence compared to the eternal Hereafter (Akhirah). While worldly life offers tests, pleasures, and responsibilities, it is ultimately insignificant in contrast to the everlasting rewards or punishments of the afterlife.

 

Description of Worldly Life (Dunya) in the Quran

The Quran describes Dunya (worldly life) as a temporary, deceptive, and fleeting existence compared to the eternal Hereafter (Akhirah). While worldly life offers tests, pleasures, and responsibilities, it is ultimately insignificant in contrast to the everlasting rewards or punishments of the afterlife. Below is a comprehensive description of Dunya based on various Quranic verses.

1. Worldly Life is Temporary and Fleeting

  • The Quran constantly reminds that life in this world is short-lived and will eventually come to an end.

  • Surah Al-Ankabut (29:64):
    "And this worldly life is nothing but diversion and amusement. But the home of the Hereafter is indeed the eternal life, if only they knew."

  • Surah Al-Kahf (18:45-46):
    "And present to them the example of the worldly life: [It is] like rain which We send down from the sky, and the vegetation of the earth mingles with it and then it becomes dry remnants, scattered by the winds. And Allah is ever, over all things, Perfect in Ability. Wealth and children are [but] adornment of the worldly life. But the enduring good deeds are better to your Lord for reward and better for [one’s] hope."

2. Worldly Life is a Test

  • Allah tests humans with both ease and hardship to see who will remain patient and grateful.

  • Surah Al-Mulk (67:2):
    "[He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed—and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving."

  • Surah Al-Kahf (18:7):
    "Indeed, We have made that which is on the earth an adornment for it that We may test them [as to] which of them is best in deed."

  • Surah Al-Baqarah (2:155-156):
    "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.’"

3. The Deceptive Nature of Dunya

  • Worldly pleasures often distract people from their true purpose: worshiping Allah and preparing for the Hereafter.

  • Surah Al-Hadid (57:20):
    "Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion, and adornment, and boasting to one another, and competition in increase of wealth and children—like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries, and you see it turn yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris. And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and approval. And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion?"

  • Surah At-Takathur (102:1-2):
    "Competition in [worldly] increase diverts you, until you visit the graves."

  • Surah Al-Munafiqun (63:9):
    "O you who have believed, let not your wealth and your children divert you from the remembrance of Allah. And whoever does that—then those are the losers."

4. Wealth and Status are Temporary

  • The Quran warns against becoming obsessed with wealth, status, and material possessions.

  • Surah Al-Imran (3:185):
    "Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained [his desire]. And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion?"

  • Surah At-Taghabun (64:15):
    "Your wealth and your children are but a trial, and Allah has with Him a great reward."

  • Surah Al-Layl (92:8-11):
    "But as for he who withholds and considers himself free of need and denies the best [reward], We will ease him toward difficulty. And what will his wealth avail him when he falls?"

5. The Temporary Enjoyment of Worldly Pleasures

  • While worldly blessings (wealth, health, family, and status) are permissible, they should not distract from faith and righteousness.

  • Surah Yunus (10:24):
    "The example of [this] worldly life is but like rain which We have sent down from the sky that the plants of the earth absorb—[those] from which men and livestock eat—until, when the earth has taken on its adornment and is beautified and its people suppose that they have authority over it, there comes to it Our command by night or by day, and We make it as a harvest, as if it had not flourished yesterday. Thus do We explain in detail the signs for a people who give thought."

  • Surah Al-A’la (87:16-17):
    "But you prefer the worldly life, while the Hereafter is better and more enduring."

  • Surah Al-Isra (17:18-19):
    "Whoever should desire the immediate [worldly benefits], We hasten for him from it what We will to whom We intend. Then We have made for him Hell, which he will [enter to] burn, censured and banished. But whoever desires the Hereafter and exerts the effort due to it while he is a believer—it is those whose effort is ever appreciated [by Allah]."

6. The Comparison Between Dunya and Akhirah

  • The Quran encourages people to prioritize the Hereafter over temporary worldly gains.

  • Surah An-Nisa (4:77):
    "Say, 'The enjoyment of this world is little, and the Hereafter is better for he who fears Allah, and injustice will not be done to you [even] as much as a thread [inside a date seed].'"

  • Surah Al-Qasas (28:77):
    "But seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter; and [yet], do not forget your share of the world. And do good as Allah has done good to you. And desire not corruption in the land. Indeed, Allah does not like corrupters."

  • Surah Al-Ahzab (33:28-29):
    "O Prophet, say to your wives, 'If you should desire the worldly life and its adornment, then come, I will provide for you and release you with a gracious release. But if you should desire Allah and His Messenger and the home of the Hereafter—then indeed, Allah has prepared for the doers of good among you a great reward.'"

Conclusion: How Should We View Dunya?

The Quran teaches that worldly life is:
✅ A temporary test – where wealth, health, and hardships examine our faith.
✅ A deception – that can distract from the ultimate goal: the Hereafter.
✅ A means to earn rewards – by using blessings wisely and focusing on good deeds.
✅ Less valuable than the Hereafter – which is eternal and full of true rewards.

What Should We Do?

  1. Strive for the Hereafter while using worldly blessings wisely.
  2. Avoid getting attached to temporary pleasures and seek Allah’s pleasure.
  3. Remember death and the Day of Judgment to stay focused on righteousness.
Allah is one and second to none.

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