Mu'jam al-Saghir

Hadith Commentary:
(1)
The greatest misfortune for a person is that he becomes heedless of the commands of Allah and the consequences of the Hereafter, making carnal desires and the fleeting pleasures of this world his sole objective, and strives for them constantly. Whereas the teaching of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) regarding this world is that one should live in it like a stranger or a traveler passing along a path. No traveler ever considers his passageway to be his true homeland, nor does he make elaborate arrangements to reside there permanently. In the same way, a believer should not regard this world as his true homeland, nor should he be so concerned as if he is to remain here forever. Rather, he should consider the life after death as the real and permanent life, and remain engaged in its concern and preparation as though that life is before his very eyes.

(2)
The subject that Imam Bukhari rahimahullah has mentioned with reference to the mawquf narration of Ibn Umar radi Allahu anhu is also found in a marfu‘ narration. Thus, Ibn Abbas radi Allahu anhu narrates that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), while advising a man, said:
“Consider five things to be a blessing before five things: your youth before old age, your health before illness, your wealth before poverty, your free time before preoccupation, and your life before death.” (Al-Mustadrak lil-Hakim: 4/306)
The meaning is that a person’s circumstances do not remain the same; therefore, when Allah grants him the opportunity to do something, he should consider it a blessing and do whatever he can at that time to attain success in the Hereafter, for who knows whether he will get the opportunity again in the future.
Wallahu al-musta‘an.

Explanation:
1:
This hadith discusses detachment from the world and reducing worldly desires.
The meaning is that just as a traveler, during his journey, stays at a place for a short time,
you should consider this world to be the same for yourself.
Rather, count yourself among the people of the graves,
as if you have already departed from this world.
That is why it is further stated:
After reaching the morning, do not wait for the evening, and after reaching the evening, do not wait for the morning; rather, during your time of health and well-being, make some preparation for the life after death,
because you do not know whether tomorrow you will be counted among the living or the dead.

Benefits and Issues:
➊
Our esteemed researcher has declared the mentioned narration weak in terms of its chain of transmission, and further writes that except for the phrase:
(وَعُدَّ نَفْسَكَ مِنْ أَهْلِ القُبُور)
the rest of the narration is preserved. Meanwhile, Shaykh al-Albani writes regarding this that the narration is authentic except for the aforementioned phrase. The researchers of Musnad Ahmad write that the narration, except for the above phrase, is sahih li ghayrihi (authentic due to supporting evidence), and the mentioned phrase is hasan li ghayrihi (sound due to supporting evidence).
And this seems to be closer to correctness, i.e., both phrases of the mentioned hadith are valid as proof.
And Allah knows best.
For further details, see: (al-Mawsu‘ah al-Hadithiyyah, Musnad al-Imam Ahmad: 8/383, 385)
and Sahih Sunan Ibn Majah by al-Albani, no. 3338.
The meaning of holding by the shoulder was to draw attention so that the statement would be listened to attentively and firmly remembered.

➌
The world is not a person’s homeland; the Hereafter is his homeland. Therefore, one should only make as much arrangement in this world as a traveler does when stopping at a place.

➍
One should not become accustomed to excessive comforts in life.

➎
A stranger and a traveler give importance to their temporary needs and do not neglect preparation for the journey. Similarly, a believer, while living in this world, strives to earn the Hereafter; the world is not his real objective.

Takhrij:
[بخاري 6416],
[تحفته الاشراف 481/5، 28/6]

Benefits:
➊ Live in this world as if you are a stranger or a wayfarer.
The difference between the two is that sometimes a traveler is on the move, and at other times he may adopt a temporary stay somewhere for a short while. In the first case, he is a passerby (abir sabeel), and in the second case, he is a stranger (ghareeb).
➋ If a stranger stays somewhere for a short while, he does not become attached to it because his destination lies ahead. He does not accumulate much wealth or property because he does not intend to stay there, and he does not care whether his clothing and appearance are like those of the people of that city, because he is going to leave. He does not socialize much with the people because they are not his compatriots. And the traveler who is still on the journey does not even carry as much provision as a stranger might accumulate during a temporary stay; he only takes with him what is absolutely necessary. The hadith guides that one should live in this world like a stranger or a wayfarer—both are permitted, but do not make it your homeland. Or, «اَوْ» is in the meaning of «بَلْ», i.e., live in this world like a stranger, rather (it is better that) you live like a wayfarer. The meaning is that you should adopt asceticism (zuhd) in this world and suffice with only as much provision as is indispensable.
➌ “When you reach the evening, do not wait for the morning.” This is the statement of Abdullah ibn Umar radi Allahu anhuma, meaning: do not entertain long hopes, rather consider your death to be very near. When a person keeps death in view, he always remains in such a state that if death comes, he will not be regretful. He fears Allah at all times and remains prepared:
«يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّـهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِ وَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنتُم مُّسْلِمُونَ» [3-آل عمران:102]
“O you who have believed, fear Allah as He should be feared, and do not die except as Muslims.”
➍ Ibn Umar radi Allahu anhuma drew attention to the fact that health and life are not everlasting; sickness and death are also lying in wait for man. Therefore, he should store up good deeds during health for the time of sickness, and prepare provisions for death during his life.

Takhrij:
«أخرجه البخاري، الرقاق، باب قول النبي صلي الله عليه وسلم: "كن في الدنيا كأنك غريب..."، حديث:6416.»©Explanation:
This hadith describes the transience of the world and its perishable nature, and it sets forth a principle for living: what mindset a person should have while residing in this world.
The world is not a person’s home, but rather a travelers’ inn; just as a traveler continues on toward his true destination and does not form an emotional attachment to things along the way—his main objective is to reach his intended destination—in the same way, a person should live in this world, for one never knows when the command to pack up and depart may be issued.