The Hereafter feels distant because dunya is loud. Work, screens, money, status, comparison. The heart follows what it sees daily. Strengthening focus on the Ākhirah requires shifting what you think about regularly.
How to Strengthen Your Focus on the Hereafter?
1. Remember Death Frequently
The Prophet ﷺ said:
أَكْثِرُوا ذِكْرَ هَادِمِ اللَّذَّاتِ
“Remember often the destroyer of pleasures.”
[Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2307 | Ḥasan]
Remembering death does not make you depressed. It makes you realistic.
2. Read Verses About the Hereafter Slowly
Allah says:
كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ وَإِنَّمَا تُوَفَّوْنَ أُجُورَكُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ
“Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your full compensation on the Day of Resurrection.”
[Qur’an 3:185]
Slow reading builds awareness. Fast reading keeps it distant.
3. Visit Graves Occasionally
The Prophet ﷺ said:
كُنْتُ نَهَيْتُكُمْ عَنْ زِيَارَةِ الْقُبُورِ فَزُورُوهَا فَإِنَّهَا تُذَكِّرُ الْآخِرَةَ
“I had forbidden you from visiting graves. Now visit them, for they remind you of the Hereafter.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 977]
Seeing reality resets priorities.
4. Reduce Excess Attachment to Dunya
Allah says:
اعْلَمُوا أَنَّمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا لَعِبٌ وَلَهْوٌ وَزِينَةٌ
“Know that the life of this world is play, amusement, and adornment.”
[Qur’an 57:20]
Dunya is not evil. It is temporary. Treat it accordingly.
5. Think About Accountability
Allah says:
فَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَيْرًا يَرَهُ وَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ شَرًّا يَرَهُ
“So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.”
[Qur’an 99:7–8]
Nothing disappears. That awareness changes daily behavior.
6. Make Duʿāʾ for Jannah Specifically
The Prophet ﷺ said:
مَنْ سَأَلَ اللَّهَ الْجَنَّةَ ثَلاَثَ مَرَّاتٍ قَالَتِ الْجَنَّةُ اللَّهُمَّ أَدْخِلْهُ الْجَنَّةَ . وَمَنِ اسْتَجَارَ مِنَ النَّارِ ثَلاَثَ مَرَّاتٍ قَالَتِ النَّارُ اللَّهُمَّ أَجِرْهُ مِنَ النَّارِ
“Whoever asks Allah (s.w.t) Paradise three times, Paradise says: 'O Allah, admit him into Paradise', and whoever seeks refuge from the Fire three times, the Fire says: 'O Allah, save him from the Fire.'”
[Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2572 | Ṣaḥīḥ]
Ask clearly. Repetition strengthens desire.
7. Keep Company That Talks About Ākhirah
Allah says:
وَاصْبِرْ نَفْسَكَ مَعَ الَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ رَبَّهُم
“Keep yourself with those who call upon their Lord.”
[Qur’an 18:28]
Your circle shapes your focus.
8. Compare Rewards, Not Salaries
Allah says:
وَالْآخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَىٰ
“And the Hereafter is better and more lasting.”
[Qur’an 87:17]
When tempted, compare eternal reward with temporary gain.
9. Remember That Real Success Is There
Allah says:
فَمَن زُحْزِحَ عَنِ النَّارِ وَأُدْخِلَ الْجَنَّةَ فَقَدْ فَازَ
“Whoever is saved from the Fire and admitted into Paradise has truly succeeded.”
[Qur’an 3:185]
Success is not social approval. It is salvation.
10. Keep One Daily Act That Reminds You of the Hereafter
It could be:
Reflecting on one āyah about Jannah
Giving small charity
Making duʿāʾ for forgiveness
Saying “Lā ilāha illa Allah” consciously
The Prophet ﷺ said:
أَحَبُّ الْأَعْمَالِ إِلَى اللَّهِ أَدْوَمُهَا وَإِنْ قَلَّ
“The most beloved deeds to Allah are those that are consistent, even if small.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 6465 | Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 783]
Consistency builds awareness.
