Prophetic traditions echo the Quranic teaching, emphasizing the importance of the afterlife, or "akhira" over the present world.
[3] The term "Al-dunyā" appears in the Quran 115 times and refers to both the temporal world and the duration of one's life on earth.
[6] It cautions against being deluded and distracted by the attractions and pleasures of this world, which can lead to forgetfulness of God and His promises.
They should not act as if life's meaning is found in the affairs of this world, or as if experienced phenomena were anything other than the signs of God.
In short, the Koran says, do not be deluded by appearances: The life of this world is naught but a sport and a diversion.
(18:45) Surely those who look not to encounter Us, and who are content with the life of this world and at peace with it, and those who are heedless of Our signs, those—their refuge is the Fire.
(10:7)[7]In the same vein, Quran 6:29 highlights the belief of some people who deny the possibility of an afterlife, saying "There is only the life of this world—we shall not be raised up."
The person will reply that he has not, indicating that the temporary pleasures of this world cannot be compared to the eternal consequences of the afterlife.
[5] The term dunya is originally an Arabic word that derives from the root d-n-w (د ن و 'to bring near').