The question of why the life expectancy of the Prophet Muhammad's followers was generally shorter compared to those of earlier generations has long been a topic of interest and inquiry. The Prophet Muhammad himself passed away at the age of approximately 62 to 63 years old, which is consistent with his own statement:
"From Abu Hurairah RA. He said, 'The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 'The age of my community (generally ranges) between 60 to 70 years. Rarely do they exceed that.'" (HR. At-Tirmidzi).
This hadith indicates that the majority of the Prophet Muhammad's followers lived between 60 and 70 years old, which is significantly shorter compared to the average life expectancy of people today, such as in Indonesia, which is around 73.9 years.
Health and Life Expectancy
The Ministry of Health notes that life expectancy is closely related to overall health. As health improves, life expectancy tends to increase. In the past, people lived longer, sometimes even reaching hundreds of years, such as the Prophet Adam, who lived to be 1,000 years old.
However, environmental and lifestyle changes over time have affected life expectancy. Diet, stress, and disease have become significant factors influencing life expectancy in modern times. Despite medical advancements, not everyone is able to maintain a healthy lifestyle, which also impacts life expectancy.
Environmental Conditions and Population Density
As time passes, the environment also undergoes changes. If humans were to live extremely long lives like in the past, the earth would be overcrowded with a massive population, leading to various social and environmental problems. Limiting life expectancy is one way nature maintains a balance between population and resources.
The Ages of the Prophet's Companions
When looking at the ages of the Prophet Muhammad's companions, there were some who lived exceptionally long lives. For example, Anas bin Malik RA passed away at the age of 103, and Asma binti Abu Bakar RA at the age of 100. Hasan bin Tsabit RA lived to be 120 years old, and Salman Al-Farisi RA even reached 250 years old according to some accounts.
However, most people during the Prophet Muhammad's time generally passed away between 60 and 70 years old, as the Prophet himself mentioned. This age is considered to be a commendable and proportionate one for that era.
Abundance of Mercy in the End Times
The Prophet Muhammad also said that his followers, despite living in the end times, would receive an abundance of mercy in the form of multiplied rewards for their good deeds. This is explained in a hadith narrated by Bukhari and Muslim:
"From Ibn Abbas RA, from the Prophet (peace be upon him) regarding what Allah wrote, he said, 'Allah writes down good deeds and bad deeds. Then He explains, 'Whoever intends to do a good deed but has not done it, Allah writes it down as a complete good deed. But whoever intends to do a good deed and does it, Allah writes it down as ten good deeds up to 700 times, or even more. However, whoever intends to do a bad deed but has not done it, Allah writes it down as a complete good deed. But whoever intends to do a bad deed and does it, Allah writes it down as a bad deed only.'" (HR Bukhari and Muslim).
The Wisdom Behind Shorter Lives
Despite the relatively shorter lives of the Prophet Muhammad's followers, there is a profound wisdom behind it. With limited time, people are encouraged to value time and make the most of their lives. The shortness of life serves as a reminder to increase good deeds and draw closer to Allah SWT.
Conclusion
The shorter life expectancy of the Prophet Muhammad's followers compared to earlier generations is not without reason. Factors such as health, environmental conditions, and lifestyle all contribute to life expectancy.
Additionally, Allah SWT has given a great mercy to his followers in the end times by multiplying the rewards for their good deeds. Therefore, the shortness of life should be a motivation to work harder in one's faith and do good deeds.
What do you think about the life expectancy of the Prophet Muhammad's followers? Do you feel inspired to make the most of your time? Share your thoughts in the comments below and let's discuss together. Don't forget to share this article with friends and family so that more people can benefit from it.
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