It is commonly said that we live in a rat race. With people rushing off to work in the early hours of the morning, only returning in the night, and repeating the tiresome process day-after-day, in an effort to make ends meet, there is certainly some truth to the observation.

Now, imagine that you have no qualification or work experience at all. Yet, you are given a unique job opportunity. If you work for just one hour a day, you will be remunerated for a full day’s work. Furthermore, your salary will be so high that it will even exceed that of the CEOs of major companies and enterprises!

There is just one catch – you have to do exactly what the employer says, when he says it, and as he says it, without any questioning. However, you have full confidence that the employer is not only a reasonable person – he is most kind and will thus never make unfair demands from you.

If any person is presented with such a job offer, will they accept it? OBVIOUSLY yes! In fact, one would be a fool to turn it down, and the person with this job will undoubtedly be envied by one and all. Also, he would do everything possible to please his employer, and would avoid his displeasure at all costs, lest his remuneration be affected.

In reality, we have been given a far better offer – an offer of a lifetime. Our ‘employer’ is Allah Ta‘ala, and our ‘remuneration’ for our dedication and unquestioning submission throughout our brief stay in this world will be eternal Jannah – a reward that far exceeds any monetary remuneration of this world. Allah Ta‘ala mentions in the Quraan Majeed, “Indeed, Allah has purchased from the believers their lives and their properties in exchange of which they will have Jannah.” (Surah Taubah v111)

All that is required of us is that we remain completely obedient to Allah Ta‘ala at all times. Whether at home or on holiday, in the house or at work, in the market or masjid, no matter where we are or what time it may be – our loyalty and obedience to His commands must be complete. Our life in this world is for just a few years, yet His reward will be for us to enjoy in the gardens of Jannah forever and ever.

Can we ever risk this reward getting affected in any way? Definitely not! Thus, no matter how great the temptation may be to neglect His command, let us remind ourselves of how much we stand to lose.

May Allah Ta‘ala keep us steadfast and firm on His obedience until our last breath, aameen.