Publilius Syrus, a Roman writer of the first century BC who wrote in Latin is recorded as having said: “A good opportunity is seldom presented and is easily lost”. An observation that may well be taken out of the Roman context and applied universally. For it is a matter of common circumstance that chances to make progress in this world do not conveniently present themselves at every juncture. They are few and far between. But most people, unconvinced of how imperative it is to realise their special importance, fail to grasp them in time. Thus, golden opportunities are lost forever, and all that remains is regret at having so foolishly missed them.
The same is true of the Hereafter, but on a scale barely appreciable by human beings. There are whole different dimensions of eternal bliss or eternal damnation to be taken into consideration. Everyone, of course, has been given opportunities in the present world to act in the interests of his own salvation in the life after death. But these are opportunities that seldom present themselves. And then death—the great cut-off point—comes and puts an end to opportunities for all time.
Maulana Wahiduddin Khan is an Islamic spiritual scholar who has authored over 200 books on Islam, spirituality, and peaceful coexistence in a multi-ethnic society.
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