Javed Ahmed Ghamidi’s Address at the Concluding Session of the Annual Gathering of ‘Danish Sara’
Ladies and gentlemen, from the Qur’an and the practices of the Prophets, it becomes evident that the invitation of religion directs a person towards their inner self. In its essence, the invitation of religion is not about solving worldly problems; rather, it is an invitation to transform the very question of life itself. Worldly issues have always existed and will always continue to exist. Humans devise strategies and adopt new methods to address these issues, but when Allah’s messengers are sent, they fundamentally transform the question itself. They shift the focus of humanity, making this world a matter of temporal attention and the Hereafter the primary focus of true concern.
We are to present ourselves before our Lord. This destination will be reached by traversing the path of death and it is this destination that should be made the real concern of the people. While worldly matters naturally become the center of human interest, the concern for the Hereafter should surpass them all, becoming the primary focus of attention and interest. This thought should encompass a person’s life: that after departing from this world, I will step into a new world. There, I will be present before my Lord with my book of deeds. When I stand before Him, I will not be able to hide any shortcoming, any flaw, or any misstep. Everything I have done in this world will be meticulously presented before me in the form of my book of deeds. I am to face this book of deeds. When I rise to face it in the presence of my Lord, I will not be able to make any excuses, offer any ransom, fabricate any justification, or present any intercession. It will be me and my Lord. I will be compelled to undergo the process of accountability established for that moment, as promised by the Lord of all worlds. The outcome of this accountability can result in eternal blessings or eternal mercy. However, I must strive to attain eternal mercy. This struggle must take place here, in this world. This world is the realm of action. If I can make this effort here, I will witness its results there. After my death, the opportunity for this struggle will come to an end.
This is the fundamental point of the call to faith and indeed the main subject of the call to religion. In the invitation of the noble Prophets, this aspect has always held an extraordinary status. They make this their ultimate goal, purpose, and focus of attention, striving tirelessly for it. They instill such a deep passion for it in people that they ask them, “O Prophet, O Messenger of Allah, tell us how we can save ourselves from Hell and attain Paradise?” This question—how can I save myself from Hell and attain Paradise?—becomes their primary concern. It becomes such a significant issue that one’s entire existence, waking or sleeping, becomes influenced by it. While one fulfills their social needs, addresses their economic and political issues in the world, their primary concern should be the hereafter. This is the central point in the invitation of the prophets, meaning that the issue itself should be transformed. Worldly problems should take a lesser priority. These issues should become secondary in nature. The ultimate issue should be realizing that one has to stand before their Lord one day.
Creating a sense of accountability, awakening the human mind to it, and embedding it deep in the soul and heart has been the primary purpose of the struggles of the Prophets (peace be upon them). Please pray for me that the Hereafter becomes the ultimate concern for me, and I pray for you that it becomes the ultimate concern for you all. Reminding about this fundamental issue, offering advice about it, preparing minds for it, directing the children of Adam towards it, and repeatedly reminding them—this is, in fact, what is called the call to religion. If the Hereafter does not become the fundamental concern and does not take position as the ultimate goal and objective for an individual, the truth is, they cannot succeed in this trial.