He—the Most High—has placed in this worldly life immediate enjoyments and visible adornments: wealth and children, honor and dominion, and every other delight that none but Allah can fully enumerate.

Yet among people—indeed, they are the majority—are those whose vision is confined to these outward charms. They indulge themselves in them, never pausing to ponder their deeper purpose; instead they busy themselves with acquiring, hoarding, and savoring them, neglecting to act for what lies beyond. In fact, they deny that any other life exists, just as Allah says: “They say, ‘There is nothing but our present life, and we shall not be resurrected.’” (al-Anʿām 6:29)

Allah has threatened all who hold such a view of life. He says: “Those who do not expect to meet Us, who are content with the life of this world and feel secure therein, and who remain heedless of Our signs—their abode shall be the Fire because of what they used to earn.” (Yūnus 10:7–8) And He says: “Whoever desires the life of this world and its finery, We shall repay them in full for their deeds therein, and they will not be denied their due; but such people shall have nothing in the Hereafter except the Fire. Their works in this world will come to nothing, and all that they used to do will prove worthless.” (Hūd 11:15–16)