Happy 40th Birthday!
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[Thoughts]
Ibrahim al-Nakha’i, may Allah have mercy on him, said:
“They (the previous 'ulema) said, if someone has reached the age of 40 and is in a certain state, their state (behaviour) will never change until their death.”
(Ath-Thabaqat al-Kubra VI/277)
I haven't reach 40 years old (yet), but the above statement puts me in such deep thought.
At 40, a person has reached the peak of their life in terms of physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual aspects. They have left their youth behind and stepped into true adulthood.
Reaching the age of 40 is no longer a time to be preoccupied with TikTok, uploading selfies, hanging out, watching dramas, listening to music, or dancing. Instead, it is a time to focus on worship, good deeds, seeking knowledge, maintaining good behavior, controlling desires, and abandoning worldly greed.
Therefore, anyone who has reached the age of 40 should strive to renew their repentance and return to Allah with sincerity. They should discard the ignorance of their youth and be more cautious.
They must view things with wisdom and faith, strengthen their life's purpose, use old age as a reminder, and increase their gratitude.
If you are 40, you should increase your interest in religion. If you were distant from religion in your youth, now is the time to cover your modesty and attend more religious studies.
If you are 40 and still have no interest in religion, it could be a bad sign for the end of your life...
If you are 40, you should no longer think much about the future in this world, chasing careers and wealth, but rather focus on your fate in the hereafter...
If you are 40 and still enjoy committing sins and wrongdoings, such as neglecting prayers, committing adultery, exposing your modesty, getting drunk, etc., it will be harder for you to stop these habits...
If you are 40, you should sincerely correct past mistakes and make good use of the remaining days of your life before your soul reaches your throat, leading to useless regret later...
Imam Malik, may Allah have mercy on him, said:
"I found the scholars in our land seeking the world and mixing with people until they reached the age of 40."
"When they reached that age, they left the people (focusing more on increasing worship and knowledge)."
(At-Tadzkiroh hal 149).
Imam Ibnul Jauzi, may Allah have mercy on him, said:
Whoever reaches the age of 40 and their good deeds have not outweighed their bad deeds should prepare for hellfire.
(Bahrud Dumuu' hal 57)
Abdullah bin Dawud, may Allah have mercy on him, said:
"The predecessors, if one of them reached the age of 40, they would fold their mattress, meaning they would no longer sleep all night, always praying, glorifying Allah, and seeking forgiveness."
"Then they would make up for all the shortcomings of their previous age with deeds in the days that followed."
(Ihya Ulumiddin IV/410).
Therefore, my brother, if you have reached the age of 40, you should start focusing on good deeds, for your time in this world is not long.
Remember that the age of the Prophet's (peace be upon him) community was generally very short, only between 60-70 years.
As the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
- أَعْمَارُ أُمَّتِـي مَا بَيْنَ السِّتِّيْنَ إِلَى السَّبْعِيْنَ وَأَقَلُّهُمْ مَنْ يَجُوزُ ذَلِكَ*
“The ages of my community are between 60 and 70 years, and few will exceed that age.”
(HR. Ibnu Majah: 4236, Sheikh Al Albani said: hasan shahih).
So, with the little time left, should we still be carefree, idle, and negligent?
May God almighty always guide and bless us.