This idea can be expanded further yet. Twilight is the process of light succeeding the dark or the dark succeeding the light. Essentially, it is the meeting point of two polar opposites. It is where common ground is made. And it is where dark and light shake hands.
Similarly, one must come to terms with certain things in life. Whether it’s your boss who is your polar opposite, peace when there is conflict between you and a loved one, or a treaty between two fighting factions, you must come to terms eventually. The twilight of this life is where two opposing forces form a mixture with each other, making a beautiful display to show.
When you come to terms with someone you have a conflict with, the beautiful colors of peace arise between you two like the pink, purple, indigo, and orange hues that paint the twilight skies. When two polar opposites are able to mix, a beautiful array of color can be seen.
"It is He who has let free the two bodies off flowing water: one palatable and sweet, and the other salty and bitter; Yet has He made a barrier between them, and a partition that is forbidden to be passed.” (Qu’ran 25:53)
Who mixes these two polar opposites? Who can make these two complete negatives and positives meet in perfect harmony? It is your Lord who can mix two opposing forces in one. It is your Lord who brings the day out of the night, the night out of the day, the dead out of the living, and the living out of the dead.
“He causes the night to enter the day and causes the day to enter the night, and he is Knowing of that within the breasts.” (Qu’ran 57:6)
“He brings forth the living out of the dead, and brings the dead out of the living, and revives the earth after its death. It is in this way (that He revives the dead earth) that you will be brought forth from the dead.” (Qu’ran 30:19)
There is also a twilight of life itself. It is the balance that brings one to tread the straight path of this life, not the one of crookedness. It is not the twilight of dusk that leads to darkness; rather it is the twilight of dawn that leads to light. It is called moderation. And its name is Islam.
“Beware of going to extremes (in religion), for those before you were only destroyed through excessiveness.” –Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him)
Islam is the guidance of this life and the next. If you want your life to tend towards light, follow and accept Islam. Being a follower of Islam correctly will bring you out of the darkness into the light. Because you were nonexistent once, in complete darkness; then you will either be brought back into darkness, or unending light.
“Allah is the ally of those who believe. He brings them out from darknesses into the light. And those who disbelieve - their allies are Taghut. They take them out of the light into darknesses. Those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide eternally therein.” (Qu’ran 2:257)
The believer’s life will actually ameliorate, getting better with progress. That’s why it is said in the Holy Qu’ran: “By time, Indeed, mankind is in loss, Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.” (Qu’ran 103:1-3)
If you want to progress, you must follow Islam. But you must follow it correctly. That is when the twilight appears. It is the balance of this life and the next. That is the twilight…that leads to light.
Most people live their lives accordingly, toiling hard in their own form of work. Whether it’s a business, your family, your job, you toil hard for something. That’s what this life is about. But unfortunately, most people are toiling in a dusk. That is, they work in a twilight that leads to darkness. Although they may work hard, their hard work will be in vain.
The ones who work in a dawn on the other hand are those who are aware of the truth of this life and the next. They are those who work hard in this life and the next. They work hard, and they are aware of their existence’s purpose: to worship God.
And then there are those who go to an extreme. Going to either extreme is wrong. Overly focusing on this life is wrong, simultaneously overly focusing on the next life is wrong. That just brings you into an empty darkness or a blinding light.
That’s what the twilight of dawn is about. It’s about having that balance. You should work hard for this life, focusing on the Hereafter. You shouldn’t let go of your duties of this life by isolating yourself and immersing yourself in perpetual worship; neither should you forget your duties of the next life knowing your position as a slave of Allah. Know His rights over you, and your duties of this world at the same time.
There are deviant sects of Islam that don’t balance as is necessary for the faith. They are extreme. These include the Sufis, the Khawarij, etc. who do things unnecessary for worship and tip off the balance. But the true path of Islam is the median, the one that the consensus of Muslims agrees upon.
“Those who came before you of the people of the Book split into seventy-two sects, and this ummah (nation) will split into seventy-three: seventy-two in Hell and one in Paradise, and that is the jamaa’ah (main body of Muslims).” –Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) You should do school, work, and take care of your family whilst simultaneously (and more importantly) toiling with your duties to Allah.
”So, when you are free (from collective services), toil hard (in worship)” (Qu’ran 94:8)
At the end of the day, darkness is incumbent. But after the night arise a new day. And it’s your choice whether to follow the desires of this world, to have uncertainty of the next life so you don’t pay attention to it and only focus on what’s in front of you, to be completely neglectful of this life, or to focus on the next life whilst knowing your duties of this life. So again I ask: which do you choose?