The Life of This World Is Only Play and Amusement and the Final Abode Is the Real Life
tadabbur
Level: basic
akhirah
td-381
وَإِنَّ ٱلدَّارَ ٱلۡأٓخِرَةَ لَهِيَ ٱلۡحَيَوَانُ
— العنكبوت 64
Verse: "And this worldly life is nothing but amusement and play, and the final abode — that is the true life." (29:64) — "Al-hayawan" (intense life-form) not just "al-hayah" — the real, full life is in the Hereafter. This world is play and amusement in comparison — not that it has no value but its value is like play compared to reality. Lesson: whoever spends all their time playing and doesn't prepare for the real test will regret on results day.
Source: Ibn Kathir (6/282); Al-Sadi
Question: Why does the Quran use "al-hayawan" rather than "al-hayah" to describe the Hereafter?
Answer: "Al-hayawan" is an intensive form meaning complete intense life — the Hereafter contains the real full life of which the world is merely a shadow.