Did recent hurricanes and storms on the news trigger in you deep thoughts and new reflections?

The scale of destruction Hurricanes Harvey and Irma left behind in the Caribbean and the US in the last few weeks is unbelievable.

The impact was horrendous and the losses and human sufferings are on a mega scale.

It is indeed a very sad tragedy, as some people lost their lives, while many others lost all their properties and savings, as the hardships of the poor loomed larger than ever.

May Allah be with all those affected by these natural disasters, and may He help them out of this crisis by His Mercy.

Ameen.

One of the thoughts which came to mind while watching the news is how fragile and temporary this worldly life really is.

Holidaymakers in the Caribbean and Florida were among the storms’ victims, and the contrast between their state before and after the storms were very dramatic.

Some people on holiday stayed at a one-star hotel because of a tight budget.

Others who could afford it stayed at two, three or four-star hotels.

And fewer people spent their holidays at expensive five stars, plus, hotels.

Whatever the number of stars, the guests had one thing in common: when holiday bookings end, with or without storms, all guests must return their keys and leave.

No holiday lasts forever; one day it must end and people must return home.

The same rule applies to this world; nobody lives forever, and one day we all must go home.

In fact, all human beings are here as “guests” in this world.

Hotel Room

Sometimes we get too attached to the place where we spend nice times or good holidays.

But the reality of life on earth is that nothing lasts forever.

The proof is nobody while on holiday spends time redecorating their hotel room.

Would you spend a thousand dollars buying new furniture and painting the walls of your hotel room?

No sane person would do that. Right?

This proves that deep down we know for sure that a holiday spent in a hotel will one-day end, sooner or later, and that there is no point in spending money and effort in a place which is not ours, which one day we will have to leave.

So, don’t be sad if your holiday booking was in a one-star hotel, it doesn’t make much difference.

What Really Matters

What is important is to return home in a good state, safe and sound.

And what is the best state to leave this world?

For a believer, it is to leave this world in peace and to be in a state of submission to the Creator.

It is to Him we return when it’s time for our souls to leave this world.

Only the souls that leave this world in a good state of faith, submission and peace will find peace in an eternal life of luxury and abundance in the Hereafter.

So, don’t be sad if your stay in this world is a bit difficult or uncomfortable, it doesn’t really matter.

If your friends are staying in five-star hotels and you are staying in a hotel without stars even, don’t panic. It doesn’t really matter.

What matters is what you do while you are here.

Be grateful for what you have and don’t complain.

At least you have a roof over your head; many others aren’t that lucky.

This temporary world does not last forever, so be patient.

Your Creator loves those who are patient and He rewards them without limits:

Say, “O My servants who have believed, fear your Lord. For those who do good in this world is good, and the earth of Allah is spacious. Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without account.” (39:10)

Will you be one of them, In-Shaa-Allah?

Are you ready for the journey back home?

If not ready yet, there still is time if you start preparing from now without delay.

People who knew in advance the storm was coming their way started preparing for that day.

As we prepare for storms and hurricanes, lets also prepare for what is to come after this world.

Nobody lives forever, and one day we will all depart from this world.

So, get ready for a happy journey back home from now.

Don’t postpone and don’t be late.

When the storm arrives, it will be too late…