Invest in the Hereafter to Achieve Eternal Happiness

It is undeniable that all of us, young or old, want to have fun in this world as well as in the hereafter. Unfortunately, to achieve this desire is not an easy thing. One thing that must be done is to invest in the afterlife.

Of course, friends already understand that our life in the world requires a large enough capital to be able to meet the needs of life until we enter old age. For that, it is not wrong if many people are starting to realize to invest themselves and their wealth for their future life in the world. Whether when you are married, have children, or even in retirement.

However, what about our life in the afterlife? As stated in a verse, that our life in this world is only temporary. Whereas eternal life is actually in the afterlife.

“Know that verily the life of this world is but a game and a distraction, adornment, and boasting among you and boasting about wealth and children, like the rain whose crops amaze the farmers, then they dry up and you see yellow color then crumble. And in the hereafter (later) there is a severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and His pleasure. And the life of this world is nothing but deceptive pleasure." (Surat al-Hadid: 20)

Unfortunately, we often forget that we should do more and prioritize investing for the afterlife. Life on earth is only up to 70 years or a maximum of up to 100 years. But the afterlife, there is no limit and forever. So, have you really prepared for it?

What is Hereafter Investment?

Investing in the afterlife means that we prepare ourselves and prioritize our lives to truly achieve eternal happiness in the afterlife, namely heaven. Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala only gives two choices of places in the hereafter for humans, namely heaven or hell. Life in it is eternal and eternal, and God also says that this place is our true home.

For that, Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala gives us instructions on how to achieve a good and eternally happy afterlife. As stated in the following verse.

"And seek what Allah has bestowed upon you (happiness) in the hereafter, and do not forget your share of worldly (pleasures) and do good (to others) as Allah has done good to you, and do not do mischief in (face) earth. Verily, Allah does not like those who do mischief." (Surat al-Qasas: 77).

From this verse we can understand that to achieve a happy afterlife (heaven) we must be able to take advantage of what Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala has given us in this world as a blessing to be directed as a provision for the hereafter. Whatever God gives, we can make as an investment in the afterlife with a guarantee that life in this world will be full of His blessings and pleasure.

Types of Investment Hereafter from the Life of the World

It is not impossible if we want to feel the blessings of living in this world as well as a form of preparation for ourselves in the hereafter. The following are some investments in the afterlife that we can do since we were young as preparation for our future. 

1. Knowledge Investment

In a hadith narrated by Muslim, it was conveyed by the Prophet that knowledge is one of the fields of charity whose rewards continue to flow until we die. Knowledge is also something that is always emphasized in Islam, so that every Muslim always seeks knowledge to the grave. In another hadith, knowledge and people who teach knowledge are someone who is valuable and must be respected.

"Learn all of you, and teach all of you, and honor your teachers, and be kind to those who teach you." (HR Tabrani)

For that, invest ourselves in seeking and applying as much knowledge as possible. Make this knowledge as something that can bring great benefits and also simplify the affairs of many people's lives. The size of knowledge investment is not judged by how many academic degrees we have, but from how much the knowledge provides good changes and benefits in society. 

2. Investment in the Hereafter Through Profession

From the professions that we do in the world there are two results, namely wealth and benefits for many people. For that, intend to seek and run a profession that is lawful, in accordance with Islamic law or does not violate religious provisions, so that the results are a blessing. In addition to obtaining wealth to live and share with others, we can also provide the greatest benefit to others.

Profession in accordance with Islamic sharia of course not only as a scholar or preacher. If you have a profession in the fields of education, sports, pharmacy, health, art, business, or other fields that are used to facilitate other people's affairs, provide benefits to others, then this can already be an investment in the afterlife.

The condition is that the profession or work is indeed to get the reward and pleasure of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala. After all, profession or work is one of our ways to become a Caliph on earth.

3. Faithful Family Investment

In the history of the Prophets and Apostles in the past, we can find out that there is a lot of wisdom about the family in it. How about building a good family, then life will be good. In fact, Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala also commands us to build a pious and obedient family to His commands.

"And command your family to establish prayer and be patient in doing it. We do not ask you for sustenance, we are the ones who give you sustenance. and the (good) result is for the pious." (Surat Taha: 132)

The investment in the afterlife that we can do in the family is that we strive so that our family always worships and fears Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala. We don't forget our family because our sense of responsibility is great, not only because of wealth or worldly life, but also for the life in the hereafter.

Of course, we want to see and reunite with our beloved family when we are together in heaven. Indeed, the path must be difficult and steep, because the reward from Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala is also very expensive.

4. Health Investment

In a hadith it is stated, “A person who is intelligent and can control it, should have four times: first, the time to pray to Allah; Time for introspection; the third time to think about God's creation; the four times to satisfy the physical needs of drink and food.” (Narrated by Ibn Hibban).

Physical and spiritual health is one form of investment in the afterlife that we can also do. Without health, we cannot live life in this world for our hereafter properly. In addition, do not also dirty and damage our bodies with food or drinks that are not halal.

We can follow the example of how the Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam in his life rarely experienced pain. This is because he regularly exercises, eats healthy and moderately, not excessively. He invests in the afterlife, with the health of living in this world.

5. Invest Time with Worship

From Ibn 'Abbas radhiyallahu 'anhuma, the Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam, once advised someone, “Take advantage of five things before five things: (1) Your youth before your old age, (2) Your health before your sickness, (3) Your rich time before your poverty, (4) Your free time before your busy time, (5 ) Your life before your death comes."

In Islam, time is very important even it is like a sword that can draw our own body. For that, invest our time in worship because it can save us in the hereafter. Do our free time for things that are useful and do not give birth in vain.

Our time on earth is very limited and we are getting closer and closer to the end. For this reason, we should invest time with activities that are worth the reward and benefits we should do all the time.

6. Investing Time for Society

In QS. Al-Baqarah verse 30, Allah says that the creation of man is solely to become a Caliph on earth. Khalifah means a leader, manager, and responsible for social life in it. Humans are not only busy taking care of themselves, but also have to be involved in social and natural development.

For that, invest our time for the afterlife by giving as much benefit as possible to society. For example, by being part of a social movement, maintaining the integrity of neighbors, building community facilities with wealth or energy, and we can also maximize the work or profession we have to become a person. Caliph fil Ardi which brings prosperity.

7. Investing Assets with Alms

Every human being in this world must need and love the treasures they have. Unfortunately, Allah commands humans to spend some of their wealth or give some of it to others in need.

"The example of a person who spends his wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed that grows seven stalks. On each stalk there are one hundred seeds. Allah multiplies for whom He wills, and Allah is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing."QS. Al Baqarah: 261).

Investing in the hereafter with alms is an extraordinary thing and is promised by Allah with a double reward. The parable in the verse above shows that the reward and goodness that Allah has promised is great because 

8. Invest in the Hereafter with Waqf

In the language aspect, waqf has the meaning of holding back. In terms, waqf means to hold assets to be used for the public interest without reducing the value of their assets. For this reason, waqf property cannot be traded even though the person who is waqf has died. 

As stated in a hadith, "When a person dies, his deeds are cut off, except for three things: charity, beneficial knowledge, and a pious child who prays.". The scholars are of the opinion that the charities referred to in this hadith are waqf.

For this reason, the Prophet Muhammad and his companions besides tithe, also vying for waqf because they want to get a worthy reward from Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala later in the hereafter. For him, wealth is no longer the goal of life. However, the assets they have can be used as an investment for the afterlife.

Source : https://tabungwakaf.com