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We all know what we have to do before death is suddenly staring us in the face, and we know the cost of disbelief or neglecting our religion is just too high to take it lightly. We have to prepare for it thoroughly, through our actions today. At the moment of death, everyone knows his or her destiny—heaven or hell. For the disbelievers, death is a horrible event, much worse than the unexpected currency exchange, for the angels will beat them on their faces and rear ends as they snatch away their souls (8:50, 47:27, 79:1).
2) Value can be lost in a second. We had millions of rupees in 500 and 1000 denominations yesterday. Today they are just pieces of paper. Similarly, all worldly gains, such as money, wealth, fame, power, will be worthless the second after death.
Different Priorities
[3:14] Adorned for the people are the worldly pleasures, such as the women, having children, piles upon piles of gold and silver, trained horses, livestock, and crops. These are the materials of this world. A far better abode is reserved at GOD.
[35:33] They will enter the gardens of Eden, where they will be adorned with bracelets of gold and pearls, and their garments in it will be made of silk.
So, God is blessing us with wealth, comfort and luxuries in this life as well, but the abode of the Hereafter is far better because we have attained God’s forgiveness and mercy. God has cleaned our souls of all jealousy and hatred and has accepted us and welcomed us to the ultimate Paradise.
3) Don’t bank on banks. Like the banks will stop exchanging notes on a certain date, options to do good deeds will close with death. No further exchanges will be possible. Only what we have deposited as good deeds in our account with God will be able to benefit us in the Hereafter. No further good deeds can then be done, just as no notes could be exchanged by us after the stipulated 50 days.
[3:116] Those who disbelieved can never be helped by their money or their children against GOD. They have incurred Hell, wherein they abide forever
[9:102] There are others who have confessed their sins; they have mixed good deeds with bad deeds. GOD will redeem them, for GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.
[19:76] GOD augments the guidance of those who choose to be guided. For the good deeds are eternally rewarded by your Lord, and bring far better returns.
So, do not rely on banks but deposit whatever good you can with God and that will never go to waste!
4) Fakes will not last. One of the purposes of demonetization is to deal with fake currency. After this, the fake notes will be out of the system. Let’s test ourselves—do we have fake notes or real ones? When we look at our lives, our relationships, our good deeds—are they genuine or false?
[8:37] GOD will sift away the bad from the good, then pile the bad on top of each other, all in one pile, then throw it in Hell. Such are the losers.
[4:142] The hypocrites think that they are deceiving GOD, but He is the One who leads them on. When they get up for the Contact Prayer (Salat), they get up lazily. That is because they only show off in front of the people, and rarely do they think of GOD.
We may fool someone with a fake 500 rupee note, but we can’t fool God in anything. He knows our innermost thoughts and intentions. We need to strive to remove all the falsehood from our lives.
5) Small is big. Big deeds run the risk of breeding pride and arrogance. The real gems are the small, quiet, hidden good deeds that are done with sincerity on a regular basis, when no one is looking. When this exchange was announced, the person with a couple of 100 rupee notes was richer than a person with a 1000 note. So, our small acts of kindness and charity will go a long way for us. Even helping to mediate a good deed brings us credit.
[2:110] You shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat).
Any good you send forth on behalf of your souls, you will find it at GOD. GOD is seer of everything you do.
[3:30] The day will come when each soul will find all the good works it had done brought forth. As for the evil works, it will wish that they were far, far removed. GOD alerts you that you shall reverence Him alone. GOD is Compassionate towards the people.
[4:85] Whoever mediates a good deed receives a share of the credit thereof, and whoever mediates an evil work, incurs a share thereof. GOD controls all things.
6) Intention matters. When you go to the bank to exchange 500 and 1000 rupee notes, you are asked to verify your identity. Similarly, when you bring your deeds to the Creator, He will question you about your intentions. Did you do it to be called a generous person, or to compete with someone, or to gain fame in this worldly life? Or was it truly to seek forgiveness and happiness from God alone, to atone for your sins? God already knows our innermost intention, but we have to examine ourselves carefully. Only the righteous acts will be accepted currency with God.
[2:225] GOD does not hold you responsible for the mere utterance of oaths; He holds you responsible for your innermost intentions. GOD is Forgiver, Clement.
7) Plan ahead. Many people are now busy running around worrying about what to do with the invalidated currency, but it may be too late. Likewise, planning for the Hereafter needs to be looked into right now, with sincere devotion and regular action. Otherwise, it may be too late. We have to refrain from sin and bad behavior, backbiting, and any kind of wrong doing. We need to put concerted effort into staying steadfast on the right path, so that we may be forgiven and admitted into Paradise. Don’t think that there will be time to be righteous later. When our death comes, it comes suddenly, just as the announcement of the demonetization was shockingly sudden. If we haven’t prepared for it,
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