Life is like a car ride!

Driving to work the other day, I was watching cars around me. Cars of new models, chic design. shiny exteriors, comfy interiors. A thought crossed my mind. What is the purpose of a car? It is a “vehicle” to transport us from one place to another. Our ride no matter how long, is transient. As we plan for a cozy trip in a luxurious car, start our journey, steer the car routinely or put on cruise control, perhaps we should also think about our destination. Some would argue that focus on destination is equally if not more important than the actual drive!

In many ways, our life is like a car ride. We make a lot of effort to make it comfortable, plan our milestones like pit stops to get ready for the next trip. And, very similarly, many of us focus solely on the journey and not on the end-goal!

On the authority of Abdullah ibn Umar (May Allah be pleased with them both), he relates that the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) once held my shoulders and said:
“Live in this world as (if you are) a wayfarer or a stranger.”