In a sohbet at the Royal Ottoman Society in Ludwigshafen on 21 December 2019, Ayberk Efendi turned the well-known prophetic saying – “Live in this world as if you will never die, and strive for the Hereafter as if you will die every moment” – into a practical guide for today’s seeker. The words of the Prophet (peace be upon him) are not abstract slogans but compass points that direct our daily actions toward both service in this world and preparation for eternity.
Two Complementary Directions
The hadith contains two seemingly opposite instructions that are meant to balance each other:
- “As if you will never die” – this part calls for tireless effort in serving humanity: honest work, compassionate deeds and the continuous pursuit of knowledge. When we act as though our time on earth were endless, we fear failure less and invest ourselves fully in what benefits others.
- “As if you will die every moment” – the second part draws us back from worldly immersion, reminding us that any breath could be our last before the final judgment. It cultivates humility, frees the heart from material attachment and keeps us ready to meet Allah. In practice this means pausing regularly for prayer, self-reflection and worship, so that the awareness of death sharpens our intention.
Many people, Ayberk Efendi noted, hold on to only one side – chasing worldly success without spiritual grounding, or fixing on the afterlife while neglecting their earthly responsibilities. The true path weaves both together: the heart stays aware of how fleeting life is, while the hands stay busy serving creation.
Applying the Teaching Today
- Set intentional priorities – begin each day remembering that our time is limited. Let this shape a day in which work, family and community service are done with gratitude, while always leaving room for prayer, Qur’an recitation or quiet contemplation.
- Measure success differently – judge achievements not only by material gain but by their lasting effect: have we eased someone’s burden? Have we grown in patience and humility?
- Think of the nearest station – the talk used the image of a driver who refuels at the nearest station rather than trying to reach a distant main depot. Likewise, we should seize the opportunities for good closest to us: small kindnesses in our neighbourhood, honest dealings at work and sincere devotion in private worship.
By keeping the Hereafter “near” in our awareness, every ordinary moment becomes an occasion to earn eternal reward while still contributing meaningfully to the world.
If you wish to deepen this practice in a supportive community, consider joining one of our live meetings, where seekers gather for collective dhikr and study and can take Bayʿah on the Sufi path.
May Allah keep our hearts open, guide our actions, and grant us the wisdom to balance both worlds.
