Surah Al Ala Tafseer

Although the Hereafter is better and more lasting.

meaning, the reward of the final abode is better than the worldly life, and it is more lasting.

For indeed, this worldly life is lowly and temporal, whereas the Hereafter is noble and eternal. Thus, how can an intelligent person prefer that which is short-lived over that which is eternal. How can he give importance to that which will soon pass away from him, while ignoring the importance of the abode of eternity and infinity.

Imam Ahmad recorded from Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari that the Messenger of Allah said,

مَنْ أَحَبَّ دُنْيَاهُ أَضَرَّ بِأخِرَتِهِ وَمَنْ أَحَبَّ اخِرَتَهُ أَضَرَّ بِدُنْيَاهُ فَأثِرُوا مَا يَبْقَى عَلَى مَا يَفْنَى

Whoever loves his worldly life, will suffer in his Hereafter, and whoever loves his Hereafter, will suffer in his worldly life. Therefore, chose that which is everlasting over that which is temporal.

Ahmad was alone in recording this Hadith.

The Scriptures of Ibrahim and Musa

Allah then says,

إِنَّ هَذَا لَفِي الصُّحُفِ الاُْولَى