´'Anas bin Malik narrated that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w)said:` "The son of Adam grows old. But two things keep him young: Desire for life and desire for wealth."
Explanation & Benefits
Maulana Dawood Raz
Hadith Commentary: By mentioning this chain of narration, Imam Bukhari rahimahullah intends to remove the suspicion of Qatadah's tadlis (concealment of the actual source of narration), because Shu'bah only narrates from those who practice tadlis when he is certain of their having heard (the narration directly).
Source: Sahih Bukhari: Commentary by Maulana Dawood Raz, Page: 6421
Shaykh Abdul Sattar al-Hammad
Hadith Commentary:
(1)
Indeed, it is a reality that as a person grows older, his greed and desires continue to remain youthful, and these two things are the source of all sins. Greed prevents a person from accepting the truth, and due to long hopes, a person does not even consider that he may have to depart from this world at any moment. He never remembers his own death, even by mistake, although such wishes have never been fulfilled for anyone throughout their entire life, nor will they ever be. Such desires become the cause for neglecting the Hereafter.
(2)
From the second hadith, it is understood that coveting an abundance of wealth and longing for a long life are extremely blameworthy actions. The specification of these two traits is because a person is very fond of his own life; therefore, his greatest inclination is towards the prolongation of his lifespan. And the love for wealth is due to the fact that a person’s continual health, upon which a long life depends, is reliant on wealth and riches. Whenever a person senses the end of his life or wealth, his love for them and his desire for their permanence and eternity only increases. And Allah knows best.
Source: Hidayat al-Qari: Commentary on Sahih Bukhari, Urdu, Page: 6421
Maulana Ataullah Sajid
Commentary: ➊ In old age, one’s attention should be directed towards attaining a better Hereafter. ➋ Greed for wealth and longevity is not good. The benefit of both is only when they are used as means to earn good deeds. However, generally, a person is heedless of good deeds, which becomes a cause of loss for him.
Source: Commentary on Sunan Ibn Mājah by Mawlānā ‘Atā’ullāh Sājid, Page: 4234