The application of the Qur’anic phrase /hayat-ud-dunya/ ‘life of this world’ ...

The application of the Qur’anic phrase /hayat-ud-dunya/ ‘life of this world’ , which has repeatedly been mentioned in different Suras of the Qur’an, points the meanness of this mortal life in comparison with the ‘Hereafter life’ which is permanent and perpetual. The Arabic word /duniya/ is derived from /dunuw/ which originally means: ‘nearness in place, or time, or position’.

Then the terms /duniya/ and /adna/ have sometimes been used for the small creatures which are available, versus huge creatures, and sometimes it has been used for some mean things versus good and exalted things, and sometimes for ‘near’ versus ‘far’. And, in view of the fact that the life of this world in the face of the life of the next world is both small and worthless, and near, then the appellation of /hayat-ud-duniya/ (the life of this world) is perfectly fitting.

“And on the Day (when) He will call them and say: ‘Where are My associates whom you were asserting?’” 63. “Those against whom the sentence has been confirmed will say: ‘Our Lord! These are they whom we led astray; we led them astray, as we were astray ourselves. To You we declare ourselves to be clear (of them). They were not unto us worshipping’.” 64. “And it will be said (unto them): ‘Call your associate (gods)’.

So they will call upon them, but they will not answer them, and they will see the punishment and would wish that they had been guided aright.” Whoever calls others towards himself instead of Allah, the punishment of Allah is certain for him. We must not do something that we remain unable to answer for that thing on the Day of Hereafter. Through these verses, the Qur’an illustrates the scenes of Resurrection for pagans in a way that its consideration brings horror and causes man’s body to shake.