Just Once

JUST ONCE, Guys. Death is a debt we must pay because we have experienced life. Although everyone believes this, many of us forget about this inevitable event. In fact, most of us believe that death is a natural phenomenon of life, experienced by every living creature, leading those with this view not to believe in life after death. The belief held by some of us that the cycle of life goes from non-existence to existence and then back to non-existence makes many of us negligent about the existence of life after death. And those who hold this view will live their lives freely without any rules restricting them, because they want to make the most of their one chance at life. This is due to their belief that they will only get one chance at life and there is no life after they die. The author here does not wish to debate this view, as everyone has freedom of thought and opinion. The author only wants to invite readers who believe in life after death to make the most of this life we are living to gather provisions for preparing for life after death. Guys, even if we currently have disabilities, Allah does not differentiate in giving His commands or prohibitions. Even as disabled individuals, Allah does not grant us dispensation or exception in establishing His laws. Before Allah, we have equal rights and obligations. If we obey His commands, we will receive rewards, and conversely, if we transgress, we will face the consequences. Guys, in this writing, the author does not intend to lecture or advise; the author wishes to invite myself, and friends with disabilities, especially those with visual impairments (the blind), to collectively reflect on one of the verses in the Quran. The author believes this verse should motivate us as disabled individuals, especially the visually impaired, to be more driven to prepare ourselves for life after death than non-disabled people. Allah says, “And whoever turns away from My remembrance – indeed, he will have a constricted life, and We will gather him on the Day of Resurrection blind.” QS20:124 Guys, from the verse above, it is clear that there are two consequences for us who neglect or abandon Allah's rules or laws. The first consequence we receive when we violate Allah's rules is a direct consequence we experience while still in this world. Our lives will be constricted. The word "constricted" here does not mean that those who violate Allah's laws and rules will be in a state of poverty, but rather Allah constricts their hearts, so even if they are materially sufficient, they still feel constricted and uneasy. Alternatively, the meaning of "constricted" in the verse above implies that those who violate Allah's rules and laws will indeed have their sustenance diminished and their lives narrowed by conditions of lack. Besides the direct consequences we will receive in this world, the second consequence when we violate Allah's laws and rules is that we will also receive consequences after we are in the afterlife. As depicted in the verse above, one who neglects or abandons Allah's laws will be resurrected in a state of blindness. Guys, from the verse above, the author wants to emphasize how regrettable it would be if we, as disabled individuals, especially the visually impaired, who are already unable to see in this world, are also resurrected blind in the afterlife. However, that condition is still somewhat fortunate if experienced by those who do not have disabilities in this world, because in this world they have experienced sight. And the illustration or example the author provides above is not a hope for anyone, whether disabled or non-disabled, and we all certainly hope that this condition does not happen to us. Guys, let us all hope and strive so that our condition in this world does not repeat itself when we live life after death. We can do this by making the best use of our lives, striving to obey His commands and avoiding all His prohibitions, and let us benefit others as much as possible. Greetings of acceleration!!!