Memorize this short dua
By Hisham Abu Yusuf | 2026-10-07T17:37:29.174393+00:00 | Topic: Hereafter | Masjid: Hisham Abu Yusuf
Summary
The Prophet's Perspective on Worldly Glitz
- Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had a unique reaction to worldly attractions.
- He would recite a specific du'a when seeing something glitzy or fancy.
- This du'a offers a crucial lesson for us today on true value.
Shifting Our Focus to the Hereafter
- Knowing Allah's promise for the afterlife diminishes the allure of this world.
- Material possessions and fleeting pleasures lose their grip on our hearts.
- Our true interest and anticipation should be for what Allah has prepared for us.
A Profound Hadith on the Afterlife
- The Prophet's unique knowledge of the unseen realms is beyond our comprehension.
- This hadith serves as a stark reminder of the reality and gravity of the Hereafter.
The Gravity of the Prophet's Knowledge
- The meaning: 'If you knew what I knew about the afterlife, you would laugh little and you would cry a lot.'
- This statement reveals the immense difference between the temporary nature of this life and the eternal reality of the next.
- It urges us to reflect deeply on our actions and priorities in light of this knowledge.
Re-evaluating Our Priorities
- Consider our current attachment to worldly matters and fleeting desires.
- Reflect on the vastness of Allah's promised reward and punishment in the afterlife.
- This profound knowledge should inspire a fundamental change in our perspective and daily actions.
Memorize This Short Du'a
When the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم would be shown something glitzy, something fancy, a shiny building, a nice toy, a nice trinket, he would say a famous du'a — you have to all memorize it.
"Oh Allah, there is no life, no real enjoyment except the enjoyment of the afterlife."
When you know what Allah has in store for you, you will lose interest in what people are saying to you. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم says:
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 6486; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2359)
"If you knew what I knew about the afterlife, you would laugh little and you would cry a lot."
If we knew Allah and if we knew what He had saved for us in the afterlife, we would just lose interest in what's here — because we have something else to look forward to.
It is not that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم did not want enjoyment, but that he wanted to keep himself on his toes — because there was a greater enjoyment he was preparing for.