In a precious tradition from the Master of the God-fearing, the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (peace be upon him), it is narrated:

"The bitterness of this world is the sweetness of the Hereafter, and the sweetness of this world is the bitterness of the Hereafter."

This invaluable statement represents a general and overarching principle that has been applicable throughout history and across all people. Human beings—from those living in solitude to those embedded within families, tribes, or larger social groups, whether in rural or urban environments, regardless of status or occupation—cannot escape this universal rule. Leaders and rulers, as well as the most humble individuals, men and women, young and old, whether wealthy or poor, healthy or sick, will have their eternal happiness or misfortune shaped according to this principle.

This principle can be analyzed at different levels. At the level of religious obligations—namely, duties and prohibitions—whoever indulges in sins and disobedience, while neglecting acts of worship and obligatory duties, may gain more enjoyment from worldly pleasures, but correspondingly, their share in the Hereafter will be bitter and diminished. Conversely, those who pay little attention to worldly pleasures and instead strive for the Hereafter can expect a sweet and blissful eternal life. The enjoyment of sin in this world brings bitterness in the Hereafter, just as forsaking an obligation brings only fleeting ease that will be followed by long-term suffering in the eternal realm.

This principle also applies in non-obligatory and ethically optional matters—those with recommended or discouraged (mustahabb or makruh) status. Neglecting these minor ethical duties does not carry immediate punishment in this world, but in the Hereafter, no action goes unanswered. Even seemingly small behaviors will be met with an appropriate response. If a person enjoys a worldly pleasure that would have been better forgone, God may withhold a corresponding pleasure in the Hereafter. This is not about unlawful pleasures that incur divine punishment, but rather permissible pleasures whose excessive indulgence reflects negligence toward the Hereafter. Naturally, there is a distinction between someone who constantly pursues worldly pleasures and someone who enjoys them in moderation and necessity. God, therefore, does not grant equal recompense to these two individuals; overindulgence in worldly pleasures inevitably results in deprivation of eternal delights.

Whoever endures certain hardships in life for the sake of pleasing God, and refrains from some worldly pleasures, will certainly be rewarded with sweetness in the eyes of God.

It must be emphasized, however, that the sweetness of the Hereafter can never be equated with worldly enjoyment. Eternal bliss is far more enduring and fulfilling than the fleeting pleasures of this life. Conversely, deprivation of the sweetness of the Hereafter brings a remorse whose bitterness poisons the soul and leaves one deeply dissatisfied.

The Conduct of Lady Fatimah (peace be upon her)

In a narration, it is said that one day the Prophet of God (peace be upon him) visited the home of his noble daughter, Lady Fatimah (peace be upon her). He saw her holding their child in one arm, nursing the infant, while with the other hand she turned the mill to grind wheat into flour. Clearly, performing both tasks simultaneously is exceedingly difficult. Moreover, Lady Fatimah had no servant to help her with household work. It is noteworthy that at that time she was the daughter of the ruler of the Islamic state, and one might have expected her life to be more comfortable and luxurious. Yet, she voluntarily chose this path of hardship.

Upon witnessing his daughter, tears streamed down the Prophet’s cheeks, and he said to her:

"O my daughter, hasten through the bitterness of this world for the sweetness of the Hereafter."

The life of the Prophet (peace be upon him) also serves as a profound example for measuring the proper enjoyment and use of worldly blessings. Although no one can match his asceticism and piety, or that of his pure household, emulating him is praiseworthy and instructive. Regarding the trials and hardships he endured, he said:

"No prophet was ever afflicted as I have been afflicted."

The Prophet (peace be upon him), as the ruler of the Islamic state, would naturally have had no one capable of harming him. So what caused him grief? Who or what could disturb the one whose authority ran throughout the Islamic realm of that time? Certainly, the afflictions faced by prophets were nothing new; previous prophets also suffered, often at the hands of the people sent to them. The Prophet of God, too, was harmed by his own nation. However, the trials he faced from his people were far more painful and distressing than those encountered by earlier prophets, prompting him to voice complaints about his community.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) was a ruler who never wished to oppress his people. Yet, instead of gratitude, his nation inflicted pain upon him through treachery and broken promises. Unlike a self-indulgent or tyrannical ruler who oppresses his people for pleasure or power, the Prophet faced ingratitude and lack of support despite his just and benevolent rule. Furthermore, he contended with a group of hypocrites—those who outwardly professed Islam but harbored enmity toward him and his family. After his passing, they did not follow his guidance and instead exploited Islam for worldly ambition and the pursuit of leadership positions.

However, if a ruler decides to act in such a way that he does not oppress anyone, it is natural that he will experience bitterness. God, Blessed and Exalted, will compensate for this worldly bitterness with the sweetness of the Hereafter. The sweetness of the Hereafter is incomparable to worldly pleasures; they are of entirely different kinds. Worldly pleasures are fleeting and mixed with bitterness, while the sweetness of the Hereafter is absolute and everlasting.

The main point is that a person must train themselves, practice, and make a conscious decision: if something is good but difficult, they must endure its bitterness; if something is harmful, they must refrain from it, even if abstaining is bitter. A person who lives in this way experiences psychological and spiritual well-being and carries no burden of guilt.

Those who chase worldly pleasures, on the other hand, may enjoy a fleeting sweetness, but they experience guilt. God has endowed humans with intellect and conscience: intellect encourages humans toward what is good, while desires encourage them toward pleasure, whether lawful or unlawful. Often, these are in conflict. Even lawful pleasures, if indulged excessively, can bring regret in the Hereafter. God compensates those who refrain from worldly indulgences with eternal sweetness.

This principle requires training, conscious decision-making, and practice. Without it, a person cannot succeed. A person who decides and trains themselves to endure hardships is more likely to succeed, at least partially.

A man who refuses to endure hardship will oppress his wife; a woman who refuses to endure hardship will oppress her husband. A ruler who refuses to endure hardship will oppress their people. Even those living nearby—relatives, neighbors, or anyone sharing in a livelihood—may be harmed. Even someone living alone in a village or city, unmarried, will suffer consequences if they refuse to endure hardship. In such cases, refusing to bear difficulty becomes oppression: oppression of oneself, of others, and even against history itself.

Sometimes a person, for a single pleasure or enjoyment, commits an injustice that affects millions. The oppressions that have occurred in this world, that exist today, and that will occur in the future, all stem from this principle: a human being, seeking whatever little pleasure they can obtain and unwilling to endure hardship, creates oppression—small oppressions, large oppressions. These oppressions ultimately lead to millions of people being killed, wounded, maimed, or otherwise harmed, including infants, children, and women.

The reason for this is that the person’s decision did not include the willingness to endure hardship. A person who chooses to bear difficulties, on the other hand, suffers little or no guilt and does not harm those living with them or under their authority.

Therefore, a believer—regardless of their level of knowledge, wealth, social standing, gender, or age—someone who has faith in God, believes in the Qur’an, accepts the prophets, follows the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his pure family), believes in the Hereafter and divine justice—this person has no choice but to make a conscious decision to endure hardship. They must do what is good even if it is bitter and refrain from what is bad even if abstaining is bitter.

If a person makes this decision, they live without guilt, and the worldly bitterness they experience is transformed into the sweetness of the Hereafter. As the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said to Lady Fatimah (peace be upon her):

«تَعَجَّلِي مَرَارَةَ الدُّنْيَا بِحَلَاوَةِ الْآخِرَةِ»
"Endure the bitterness of this world for the sweetness of the Hereafter."

This is a kind of trade: if a person endures, they realize that the apparent disproportion is immense. For example, a hardship in this world may cause a minor loss, equivalent to a small coin, but the corresponding sweetness in the Hereafter is like a billion coins. Conversely, if one chases worldly pleasure, a small enjoyment now—a coin—can result in immense loss and suffering in the Hereafter, because the nature, scope, and intensity of the Hereafter is entirely different from the world. Its bitterness can be immense and long-lasting, and its sweetness vast and eternal.

Thus, by seeking even a small pleasure in this world, a person may deprive themselves of immense blessings in the Hereafter. By refusing to endure worldly bitterness, they may be forced to face enormous hardships in the Hereafter. Therefore, a human being must train themselves and make a firm, conscious decision.

The Infallibles (peace be upon them) serve as guides and exemplary models for us. We must learn from them: in whatever circumstances we live—whether as rulers, ordinary employees, merchants, the poor, male or female, in a small family or a large community—we must decide to do what is good even if bitter, and avoid what is bad, whether unlawful or less severe like disliked or even permissible actions, enduring the bitterness of refraining for the sake of the sweetness of the Hereafter.

May God, Blessed and Exalted, grant all of us the success, willpower, patience, and determination to make this decision.

Peace and blessings be upon Muhammad and his pure family.