[See the additional detals below] Why are the instincts of death of many muslims so powerful ?

Question

I've found very troubling some of the comments posted by muslim participants to many R&S question, for example one question at http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AjvFdmE08kVuQt4vN4gT2Kbsy6IX?qid=20070811071502AARXdD5&show=7#profile-info-6KYsf5KRaa
It is true that this is a small, unrepresentative sampling, but they are disquieting nonetheless. e.g.
- "Why are we so much in love with this world? Why do you regoice about this life when it gets shorter every hour?"
- "the ummah is drwoning into love to their life and forgetting about the more importnat afterlife"
- "We Muslims who live in the west a beset on all sides to revel in this life, and forget the next. It is a shame (..) I do wish that those who are Muslim, but don't live Islam would wear a sign around their neck, so we could tell the difference"

Another way to ask this question could be: "Why is it difficult for muslims to at least appreciate their present life at least as much as an hypothetical afterlife?"

Answer 1

I know Muslims who are not only capable of enjoying this life but who are partying more heartily than any infidel.

I think the issue is hard to define but i have some ideas.

One, Muslims are indoctrinated from a very early age with their religion and the idea that all other religious beliefs are inferior.

Two, many Islamic countires have an enormous pool of poor and poorly educated people. This means that there is an immense pool of people indoctrinated (see One) who have no personal basis upon which to make judgments, who have little or nothing to lose (and the hope of something to gain in an afterlife).

We do not see wealthy Islams wearing explosive vests, and the imams, mullahs and Bin Ladens of the world are very happy to have the self-destructive work fall to those who are not too bright, have nothing to lose or just don't get it.

Three, anytime a religion can sell its people on the idea that their faith is embattled, the faith seems to actually gain strength. Christianity has always seemed to thrive in times of persecution.

The idea that heaven is close, that god will reward you, that your actions advance a greater objectiove, and that this life is just a temporary state of affairs can be almost intoxicating to some people.

Answer 2

I do appreciate this life. I enjoy life to the fullest but there are things that are considered out of bounds in Islam that I don't do. This does not mean I am not happy or that I am not thankful to God. We are taught not to get attached to this life too much, because this life is fleeting. Its a constant reminder to do what is right before it is too late.

Answer 3

I could indeed ask this same question to members of all the religions.

Faith in God is an understanding of how precious life is and living it to its fullest.
Why does man always find fault in everyone else instead of locating his own faults and dealing with them?

We have been told: "Remove the log from within ones own eye, before trying to remove the twig from within another humans eye.", is it not so?

Answer 4

We dont want to die! and we do appreciate our lives
death is a fate that we shouldnt be afraid of.your fate date the exatly time when you die.but your after life is an eternity as all monotheists know.for our afterlife we should work.the life is nothing in front of eternirty. and we should also work for our life but not as a priority, and we shouldnt love life aspects (money food)
and as wise man said"work to ur life as you'll live for ever and work for your afterlife as you'll die tomorrow"

Answer 5

I DO appreciate the life that God had blessed me with and I enjoy the beauty of the world that God has created. What Islam teaches us is we shouldn't become too attached to this world and material possessions. There is a better life waiting for us all, this life is a test.

Answer 6

Because this life is short, a blink of an eye compared to eternity. We follow Allah subha'ana wa ta'ala in this world so we will have eternity in الجنة, (Jennah). What importance is this short time? What possible comparison could there be between this and Paradise? We appreciate the oppurtunity in this life to worship Allah subha'ana wa ta'ala through Islam, but we know there is another and better place for us, and strive towards that. When we concentrate on this life, on this world, we are easily tempted to turn our backs toward the blessings Alla subha'ana wa ta'ala gives us after our bodies die. Is there anything in this world worth sacrificing the beauty of الجنة, (Jennah) to obtain? We think not.

Answer 7

Well obviously yes. Without this life u cannot enter the next life.

Answer 8

Good question, it's too bad that once they die there is no heaven, wasted life.

Answer 9

Because their present life sucks (?)