Hawzah News Agency | Imam Sajjad, peace be upon him, in Sahifa al‑Sajjadiyyah, reminds us of a profound principle:
«غَیْرُ کَثِیرٍ مَا عَاقِبَتُهُ الْفَنَاءُ وَ غَیْرُ قَلِیلٍ مَا عَاقِبَتُهُ الْبَقَاءُ.»
“That which ends in extinction is never abundant; and that whose outcome is everlasting can never be regarded as little.” (Supplication no. 18)
Explanation:
The innate sense bestowed upon every human being is the yearning for immortality and endurance. Put differently, anyone who has discovered their true essence will never consent to decay or disappearance. Therefore, one naturally strives—with all strength and ambition—to reach permanence and eternity.
Two Callers and One Common Promise
The Almighty God, the Creator and Knower of the human soul, speaks repeatedly in His Book of Guidance—the Holy Qur’an—of endurance and eternal continuity.
For instance, He declares:
«إِنَّمَا عِنْدَ اللَّهِ هُوَ خَیْرٌ لَکُمْ إِنْ کُنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ. مَا عِنْدَکُمْ یَنْفَدُ وَمَا عِنْدَ اللَّهِ بَاقٍ.»
“Indeed, what is with Allah is better for you, should you know. That which is with you will be spent [and gone], but what is with Allah shall last.” (Chapter Nahl, 16: 95-96)
Even one of the names given to the Day of Resurrection relates to this very essential nature and inner disposition of humankind:
«ادْخُلُوهَا بِسَلَامٍ ذَٰلِکَ یَوْمُ الْخُلُودِ.»
“Enter it (paradise) in peace! This is the day of immortality.” (Chapter Qaf, 50: 34)
Interestingly, Satan (may God’s curse be upon him), who well recognizes this natural inclination within the human being, approaches man precisely through this same desire—that of striving for immortality and permanence, and fleeing from decay and extinction.
«فَوَسْوَسَ اِلَیْهِ الشَّیْطانُ وَقالَ یا آدَمُ هَلْ اَدُلُّکَ عَلی شَجَرَةِ الْخُلْدِ وَمُلْک لا یَبْلی.»
“Then Satan tempted him. He said, ‘O Adam! Shall I show you the tree of immortality, and an imperishable kingdom?’” (Chapter Taha, 20: 120)
Thus, whether in the realm of righteousness or that of evil, the focus of attention is always the yearning for endurance and the escape from loss and destruction.
Indeed, what must one do to attain that everlasting abode in Paradise?
To reach such a station, there is no way but to be adorned with the fragrance and color of the Divine, and to detach oneself from all that is other than Him. For otherwise—according to the Divine law—we shall inevitably face annihilation and decay, contrary to our inner desire.
«کُلُّ شَیْءٍ هَالِکٌ إِلَّا وَجْهَهُ.»
“Everything is to perish except His Face.” (Chapter Qisas, 28: 88)
Therefore, to escape extinction and nothingness, one must connect with that pure, everlasting Essence—for separation from it is itself destruction and loss.
In light of these reflections, and recalling the words of Imam Sajjad, peace be upon him, mentioned at the outset, our true criterion in speech and deed must be permanence, not the quantity or multiplicity of our actions.
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