"Worldly life Is a prison
to believers -
But it's a Paradise
to disbelievers"
How does this relate to today's world?
Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said:

"Ad-Dunyaa sijnul mu-min wa jannatul kaafir."

(This material world is a prison to the believers and a paradise to the disbelievers)
Notice: The comparison is between a paradise and a prison.

This life is not really "Hell" - may Allah save us from that, ameen.

Rather, everything in this life is limited and restricted for the believers. They are in a similar condition to those who are locked away. Think about it.

When a person truly understands the message of "Islam" (meaning: to submit to God's authority and obey His Commandments in sincerity and peace), the person could only be happy when they would be closer to Almighty God. The faithful believer is most happy whenever contemplating and remembering Allah, the most High, the Most Loving. And to be with Allah in the Next Life is the absolute goal of each and every believer.

Consider what happens when a person is put into a prison. The first thing is they loose their freedom to move about anywhere they would like to go. They would be cut off from those they most love and desire to be with. True?

Food and drink would be another item that would be restricted. Things we take for granted every day would not be available to the one in jail. One choice only: Eat it - or leave it!

Clothing is definitely something we just assume is our right and we make choices about this everyday without even considering how limited these things are while in prison.

Communication with the outside exists, but it is quite limited and often difficult to manage. There is a feeling of being cut off.

Most of all, there is the loss of being close to the one whom you love the most and desire to be with, your loved one.

All of these things point toward the condition of the one who is believing in Allah and understanding what is awaiting in the real Paradise in the Next Life. Imagine having anything in the way of food, drink, dress and the freedom to be able to have whatever you desire is what Paradise is all about, isn't it?

Let us contrast that to the unbeliever's condition here in this world. For them, there is no "Next Life." They consider this to be the only life and for them it is important to get whatever they want here.

Money, power, wealth, fame and glory are all very important to them. After all, their idea of "Heaven" is right here in front of them.

Often the believer sees these people being so "successful" in this world, to the extent the believer might ask, "Why is this person getting so much?" or "How come this person is doing bad things, but getting away with it?"

The seeming unfairness we observe first hand on a daily basis should be one of the indicators, that there really is a God and that He is going to have a Day of Judgment and for sure everyone will see their true deeds and be held accountable for them on that Day. After all, how could it be fair for the rich, wealthy and famous to do some of the things they do and not be punished, while certain innocent people are put to very horrible circumstances and even death without having done anything near as bad as these people?

Good questions.

But when you consider the statement of our blessed prophet, peace be upon him: "This world is a prison to believers and a paradise to disbelievers" it all begins to come into balance and reassures the believers:
"There really is a God. He is One, without any Partners - and for sure, Muhammad, peace be upon him, is His messenger."

Read about Yusuf Ansari, he came to Islam - in the man-made prison after a life in the "Worldly prison": www.islamnewsroom.com/content/view/320/52/

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