What is the significance of recommended acts in the journey of the hereafter and the spiritual preparation for it?
[AR_ID:5149]
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Peace be upon you. The importance of recommended acts in the journey of the hereafter is profound. It has been narrated from Imam Al-Hadi (peace be upon him) that 'this world is a marketplace: some profit while others lose.' All forms of worship, whether done out of hope for Paradise, fear of Hell, or simply out of love for God, are enhanced by recommended acts. These acts provide individuals with opportunities to draw closer to God, regardless of the type of worship they engage in. They elevate a person's status because they are not obligatory, and it is said in some narrations that those who adhere to them are blessed with God's love. When God loves a servant, He inspires them towards goodness and righteousness. For instance, it has been mentioned in some narrations that voluntary prayers complement obligatory ones. If someone falls short in their obligatory prayers in terms of time, manner, or humility, they can make up for it through voluntary prayers and daily supplications. Imam Al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) stated, 'The prayer of a believer at night removes the sins committed during the day.' Every day, a person makes mistakes and sins unintentionally, but when night falls, they can retreat with their Lord and, with tears, speak to Him, rejuvenating their spirit and cleansing their inner self. In another narration from Imam Al-Askari (peace be upon him), it is said, 'Reaching God, the Exalted, is a journey that can only be undertaken by embracing the night.' There are many recommended acts, and many of them serve as specific remedies for the impurities of the soul. This framework has been established by a wise Creator who understands the hidden aspects of these souls and the paths to their rectification and guidance. Anyone who sees reaching God as their ultimate goal will not hesitate to pursue everything that achieves this noble objective. Moreover, it suffices to know that these acts are beloved to the Lord, and their importance lies in the fact that He only loves what benefits His servants. It is also crucial to prepare for the hereafter, as every breath brings one closer to their end, and life is a limited opportunity for action and preparation. As some narrations express, 'Today is for action without accountability, and tomorrow is for accountability without action, so take from your passage to your destination.' And may God grant success and guidance.