The Fleeting Comforts of the World and the Everlasting Joy of the Hereafter

إن الحمد لله نحمده، ونستعينه، من يهده الله فلا مضل له، ومن يضلل فلا هادي له ، وأشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له، وأن محمدا عبده ورسوله . أما بعد:

The Deception of the World

قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّ وَعْدَ اللَّهِ حَقٌّ ۖ فَلَا تَغُرَّنَّكُمُ الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا ۖ وَلَا يَغُرَّنَّكُم بِاللَّهِ الْغَرُورُ ‎ ﴿٥﴾ ‏

❀ Allah Almighty has said:
“O people! Indeed, the promise of Allah is true, so let not the life of this world deceive you, nor let the Deceiver deceive you about Allah.”

Hadith: 1

عن عبد الله بن مسعود رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: اقتربت الساعة ، ولا يزداد الناس على الدنيا إلا حرصا، ولا يزدادون من الله إلا بعدا

Narrated by Hazrat Abdullah bin Masood (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: The Day of Judgment is near, and people are becoming greedy for the world and moving away from Allah Almighty.

Concern for the Hereafter Instead of the World

قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: رَبِّ قَدْ آتَيْتَنِي مِنَ الْمُلْكِ وَعَلَّمْتَنِي مِن تَأْوِيلِ الْأَحَادِيثِ ۚ فَاطِرَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ أَنتَ وَلِيِّي فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ ۖ تَوَفَّنِي مُسْلِمًا وَأَلْحِقْنِي بِالصَّالِحِينَ ‎ ﴿١٠١﴾ ‏

❀ Allah Almighty has said:
“O my Lord! Indeed, You have given me a share in the kingdom and taught me some of the interpretation of events. Creator of the heavens and the earth! You are my protector in this world and the Hereafter. Cause me to die a Muslim and join me with the righteous.”

Hadith: 2

وعن زيد بن ثابت رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : من كانت الدنيا همه ، فرق الله عليه أمره، وجعل فقره بين عينيه، ولم يأته من الدنيا إلا ما كتب له، ومن كانت الآخرة نيته ، جمع الله له أمره، وجعل غناه فى قلبه ، وأتته الدنيا وهى راغمة

“And Hazrat Zaid bin Thabit (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Whoever is concerned only with the world, Allah will disrupt his affairs, and he will always fear poverty, and in this world, he will only receive what is destined for him. Whoever’s aim is the Hereafter, Allah will set his affairs right and instill contentment in his heart, and the world will come to him whether it wills or not.”

The world is amusement and play

قالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: وَمَا هَٰذِهِ الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا لَهْوٌ وَلَعِبٌ ۚ وَإِنَّ الدَّارَ الْآخِرَةَ لَهِيَ الْحَيَوَانُ ۚ لَوْ كَانُوا يَعْلَمُونَ ‎ ﴿٦٤﴾

❀ Allah Almighty has said:
“And this worldly life is nothing but amusement and play. And indeed, the home of the Hereafter—that is the [eternal] life, if only they knew.”

Hadith: 3

وعن أنس بن مالك رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : صوتان ملعونان فى الدنيا والآخرة، مزمار عند نعمة، ورنة عند مصيبة

”And Hazrat Anas bin Malik (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: Two voices are cursed in this world and the Hereafter: singing and music at times of happiness, and screaming and wailing at times of calamity.“

The World is Cursed

قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: زُيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ حُبُّ الشَّهَوَاتِ مِنَ النِّسَاءِ وَالْبَنِينَ وَالْقَنَاطِيرِ الْمُقَنطَرَةِ مِنَ الذَّهَبِ وَالْفِضَّةِ وَالْخَيْلِ الْمُسَوَّمَةِ وَالْأَنْعَامِ وَالْحَرْثِ ۗ ذَٰلِكَ مَتَاعُ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا ۖ وَاللَّهُ عِندَهُ حُسْنُ الْمَآبِ ‎ ﴿١٤﴾ ‏

❀ Allah Almighty has said:
”Beautified for people is the love of desires—women and sons, and stored-up treasures of gold and silver, and branded horses and cattle and tilled land. That is the provision of the worldly life; but Allah has with Him the best return.“

Hadith: 4

وعن أبى هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : ألا إن الدنيا ملعونة، ملعون ما فيها إلا ذكر الله وما والاه أو عالما أو متعلما

Al-Muhaddith Al-Albani has graded it as Hasan.
“And Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) says that I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) saying: Beware, indeed the world is cursed, and whatever is in it is also cursed, except the remembrance of Allah, and except the one whom Allah loves, and except the scholar and the learner (of religion).”

The Adornment and Decoration of the World

قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى:الْمَالُ وَالْبَنُونَ زِينَةُ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا ۖ وَالْبَاقِيَاتُ الصَّالِحَاتُ خَيْرٌ عِندَ رَبِّكَ ثَوَابًا وَخَيْرٌ أَمَلًا ‎ ﴿٤٦﴾ ‏

❀ Allah Almighty has said:
“Wealth and children are the adornment of the worldly life, but the enduring good deeds are better to your Lord for reward and better for hope.”

وَقَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: وَقَالُوا مَا هِيَ إِلَّا حَيَاتُنَا الدُّنْيَا نَمُوتُ وَنَحْيَا وَمَا يُهْلِكُنَا إِلَّا الدَّهْرُ ۚ وَمَا لَهُم بِذَٰلِكَ مِنْ عِلْمٍ ۖ إِنْ هُمْ إِلَّا يَظُنُّونَ ‎ ﴿٢٤﴾ ‏

❀ And Allah Almighty has said:
“And they say, ‘There is nothing but our worldly life; we live and die, and nothing destroys us except time.’ And they have of that no knowledge; they are only assuming.”

Hadith: 5

وعن أبى سعيد الخدري رضى الله عنه يحدث: أن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم جلس ذات يوم على المنبر ، وجلسنا حوله فقال: إن مما أخاف عليكم من بعدى ما يفتح عليكم من زهرة الدنيا وزينتها

“And Sayyiduna Abu Saeed Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) sat on the pulpit and we sat around him. He said: ‘What I fear most for you after me is that the abundance of this world and its adornments will be opened up to you.'”

Hadith: 6

وعن عون بن أبى جحيفة، عن أبيه، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : إنها ستفتح عليكم الدنيا حتى تنجدوا بيوتكم كما تنجد الكعبة، قلنا: ونحن على ديننا اليوم؟ قال: وأنتم على دينكم اليوم ، قلنا: فنحن يومئذ خير ، أم ذلك اليوم؟ قال: بل أنتم اليوم خير

“And Awn ibn Abi Juhayfah narrates from his father, Abu Juhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: The world will be opened up for you to such an extent that you will decorate and furnish your homes like the Ka’bah with furniture and curtains, etc. We said: Will we then be upon the religion of today? He said: You will be upon your religion. We said: Will those days be better or these days? The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Rather, you are better than those days.”

Being Useful in the World While Remembering the Hereafter

قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: وَمَا هَٰذِهِ الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا لَهْوٌ وَلَعِبٌ ۚ وَإِنَّ الدَّارَ الْآخِرَةَ لَهِيَ الْحَيَوَانُ ۚ لَوْ كَانُوا يَعْلَمُونَ ‎ ﴿٦٤﴾ ‏

❀ Allah Almighty has said:
“And this worldly life is nothing but play and amusement, and indeed the home of the Hereafter—that is the true life, if only they knew.”

Hadith: 7

وعن أبى هريرة رضي الله عنه ، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : من نفس عن مؤمن كربة من كرب الدنيا نفس الله عنه كربة من كرب يوم القيامة ، ومن يسر على معسر يسر الله عليه فى الدنيا والآخرة، ومن ستر مسلما ستره الله فى الدنيا والآخرة، والله فى عون العبد ما كان العبد فى عون أخيه ، ومن سلك طريقا يلتمس فيه علما سهل الله له به طريقا إلى الجنة، وما اجتمع قوم فى بيت من بيوت الله، يتلون كتاب الله ويتدارسونه بينهم ، إلا نزلت عليهم السكينة، وغشيتهم الرحمة ، وحفتهم الملائكة ، وذكرهم الله فيمن عنده، ومن بطأ به عمله لم يسرع به نسبه

“And it is narrated from our master Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: Whoever relieves the distress of a believer in this world, Allah will relieve his distress on the Day of Resurrection. Whoever makes ease for one who is in hardship, Allah will make it easy for him in this world and the Hereafter. Whoever conceals the faults of a Muslim, Allah will conceal his faults in this world and the Hereafter. Allah continues to help His servant as long as the servant helps his brother. Whoever travels a path in search of knowledge, Allah will make the path to Paradise easy for him. When some people gather in a house of Allah for the recitation and teaching of the Book of Allah, tranquility descends upon them, Allah’s mercy envelops them, the angels surround them, and Allah mentions them among those who are with Him. And whoever is left behind by his deeds, his lineage will not benefit him.”

Seeking the World

قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: يَا قَوْمِ إِنَّمَا هَٰذِهِ الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا مَتَاعٌ وَإِنَّ الْآخِرَةَ هِيَ دَارُ الْقَرَارِ ‎ ﴿٣٩﴾ ‏

❀ Allah Almighty has said:
“O my people! This worldly life is nothing but a temporary enjoyment, and indeed the Hereafter is the home that will remain.”

Hadith: 8

وعن أبى موسى رضي الله عنه ، قال : قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : من أحب دنياه أضر بآخرته ، ومن أحب آخرته أضر بدنياه، فآثروا ما يبقى على ما يفنى

Ibn Hibban and Hakim have declared it authentic.
“And it is narrated from Hazrat Abu Musa Ash’ari (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Whoever loves his worldly life has spoiled his Hereafter, and whoever loves the Hereafter has harmed his worldly life. So you should prefer the lasting things over the perishable things.”

Hadith: 11

وعن عبد الله رضي الله عنه قال: اضطجع النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم على حصير ، فأثر فى جلده ، فقلت: بأبي وأمي يا رسول الله لو كنت آذنتنا ففرشنا لك عليه شيئا يقيك منه ، فقال رسول الله صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم : ما أنا والدنيا؟ إنما أنا والدنيا كراكب استظل تحت شجرة ، ثم راح وتركها

“And Abdullah bin Masood (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was lying on a mat, and the marks of the mat were visible on his blessed body. I said: May my parents be sacrificed for you, O Messenger of Allah! If you had commanded us, we would have spread a bed for you to rest on. The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied: What is my relation with this world? My relation with this world is like that of a traveler who rests for a few moments under the shade of a tree and then leaves it and moves on.”

Hadith: 12

وعن أنس بن مالك قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : إن الله لا يظلم مؤمنا حسنة، يعطى بها فى الدنيا ويجزى بها فى الآخرة، وأما الكافر فيطعم بحسنات ما عمل بها لله فى الدنيا، حتى إذا أفضى إلى الآخرة ، لم تكن له حسنة يجزى بها

“And it is narrated from Hazrat Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Allah will not wrong a believer in any good deed; in this world, he is rewarded in the form of provision and other blessings, and in the Hereafter, he will be rewarded in the form of recompense and reward. However, the disbeliever is given the reward for his good deeds in this world itself, so that on the Day of Resurrection, he will have no good deed left for which he can be rewarded.”

Hadith: 13

وعن ابن عمر، قال: قلما كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقوم من مجلس حتى يدعو بهؤلاء الدعوات لأصحابه: اللهم اقسم لنا من خشيتك ما يحول بيننا وبين معاصيك ، ومن طاعتك ما تبلغنا به جنتك ، ومن اليقين ما تهون به علينا مصيبات الدنيا، ومتعنا بأسماعنا وأبصارنا وقوتنا ما أحييتنا، واجعله الوارث منا واجعل ثأرنا على من ظلمنا، وانصرنا على من عادانا ، ولا تجعل مصيبتنا فى ديننا ، ولا تجعل الدنيا أكبر همنا ولا مبلغ علمنا، ولا تسلط علينا من لا يرحمنا

Allama Albani (may Allah have mercy on him) classified it as Hasan.
“And it is narrated from Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) would rarely rise from a gathering without making these supplications for his companions (may Allah be pleased with them): O Allah! Grant us a fear of You that acts as a barrier between us and disobedience to You, and grant us the ability to obey You that leads us to Your Paradise, and grant us such certainty that makes the hardships of this world easy for us. (O Allah!) As long as You keep us alive, grant us benefit from our hearing, sight, and strength, and make this (enjoyment) our heir. Take revenge on whoever oppresses us, help us against whoever is hostile to us, and do not place hardships in our religion, nor make the world our goal or the limit of our knowledge, and do not impose upon us anyone who shows no mercy to us.”

Concealing Someone’s Faults in the World

قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: اقْتَرَبَ لِلنَّاسِ حِسَابُهُمْ وَهُمْ فِي غَفْلَةٍ مُّعْرِضُونَ ‎ ﴿١﴾

❀ Allah Almighty has said:
“The time of the people’s reckoning has drawn near, while they are turning away in heedlessness.”

Hadith: 14

وعن أبى هريرة رضی اللہ عنہ ، أن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: لا يستر عبد عبدا فى الدنيا، إلا ستره الله يوم القيامة

Ahmad Shakir has declared it authentic.
“And Sayyiduna Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Whoever conceals the faults of a person in this world, Allah Almighty will conceal his faults on the Day of Resurrection.”

Health and Peace are a Thousand Blessings

قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى:إِنَّ الَّذِينَ لَا يَرْجُونَ لِقَاءَنَا وَرَضُوا بِالْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَاطْمَأَنُّوا بِهَا وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ عَنْ آيَاتِنَا غَافِلُونَ ‎ ﴿٧﴾ ‏ أُولَٰئِكَ مَأْوَاهُمُ النَّارُ بِمَا كَانُوا يَكْسِبُونَ ‎ ﴿٨﴾ ‏

❀ Allah Almighty has said:
“Indeed, those who do not expect to meet Us and are satisfied with the worldly life and feel secure therein, and those who are heedless of Our signs—those will have a Hellfire as their refuge because of what they used to earn.”

Hadith: 15

وعن عبيد الله بن المحصن الخطمي، وكانت له صحبة ، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : من أصبح منكم آمنا فى سربه معافى فى جسده، عنده قوت يومه ، فكأنما حيزت له الدنيا

Sheikh Albani, may Allah have mercy on him, said it is Hasan (good).
“And Hazrat Ubaidullah bin Muhsin Al-Khatmi, a companion, may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: Whoever wakes up in a state where he is safe and healthy in himself and has food for the day, it is as if the whole world has been gathered for him.”

Love for the world and hatred for death

قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى : اعْلَمُوا أَنَّمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا لَعِبٌ وَلَهْوٌ وَزِينَةٌ وَتَفَاخُرٌ بَيْنَكُمْ وَتَكَاثُرٌ فِي الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَوْلَادِ ۖ كَمَثَلِ غَيْثٍ أَعْجَبَ الْكُفَّارَ نَبَاتُهُ ثُمَّ يَهِيجُ فَتَرَاهُ مُصْفَرًّا ثُمَّ يَكُونُ حُطَامًا ۖ وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ وَمَغْفِرَةٌ مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَرِضْوَانٌ ۚ وَمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا مَتَاعُ الْغُرُورِ ‎ ﴿٢٠﴾ ‏

❀ Allah Almighty has said:
“Know that the life of this world is nothing but play and amusement, and adornment, and mutual boasting among you, and rivalry in increase of wealth and children. Like the example of rain whose growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turning yellow; then it becomes straw. But in the Hereafter is a severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and His pleasure. And the life of this world is nothing but a deceiving enjoyment.”

Hadith: 16

وعن ثوبان قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : يوشك الأمم أن تداعى عليكم كما تداعى الأكلة إلى قصعتها فقال قائل: ومن قلة نحن يومئذ؟ قال: بل أنتم يومئذ كثير ، ولكنكم غثاء كغثاء السيل، ولينزعن الله من صدور عدوكم المهابة منكم ، وليقذفن الله فى قلوبكم الوهن فقال قائل: يا رسول الله وما الوهن؟ قال: حب الدنيا وكراهية الموت

“And Sayyiduna Thawban (may Allah be pleased with him) says that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Soon (disbelieving) nations will call one another to attack you just as those who eat call one another to the dining table. Someone asked: Perhaps at that time we will be few in number? He replied: No! Rather, you will be many, but your condition will be like foam floating on water. Allah will remove your awe from the hearts of your enemies and will cause weakness in your hearts.” Someone asked: O Messenger of Allah! What does weakness mean? He (peace be upon him) said: Love of the world and dislike of death.

The Status of the World

قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: وَذَرِ الَّذِينَ اتَّخَذُوا دِينَهُمْ لَعِبًا وَلَهْوًا وَغَرَّتْهُمُ الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا ۚ وَذَكِّرْ بِهِ أَن تُبْسَلَ نَفْسٌ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ لَيْسَ لَهَا مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ وَلِيٌّ وَلَا شَفِيعٌ وَإِن تَعْدِلْ كُلَّ عَدْلٍ لَّا يُؤْخَذْ مِنْهَا ۗ أُولَٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ أُبْسِلُوا بِمَا كَسَبُوا ۖ لَهُمْ شَرَابٌ مِّنْ حَمِيمٍ وَعَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ بِمَا كَانُوا يَكْفُرُونَ ‎ ﴿٧٠﴾

❀ Allah Almighty has said:
“And (O Prophet!) leave those who take their religion as a play and amusement, and whom the worldly life has deceived. And remind with this (Quran), so that no soul is destroyed for what it has earned. It will have no protector or intercessor besides Allah. And if it offers every ransom, it will not be accepted from it. Those are the ones who are destroyed for what they have earned, and because they used to disbelieve. They will have to drink boiling water in Hell, and a painful punishment.”

Hadith: 17

وعن سهل بن سعد رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : لو كانت الدنيا تعدل عند الله جناح بعوضة ما سقى كافرا منها شربة ماء

“And Hazrat Sahl bin Sa’d (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: If the worth of this world in the sight of Allah was even as much as the wing of a mosquito, Allah would not give a disbeliever even a sip of water from it.”

Hadith: 18

وعن المستورد بن شداد، قال: سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: والله ما الدنيا فى الآخرة إلا مثل ما يجعل أحدكم إصبعه فى اليم، فلينظر بم يرجع

“And it is narrated from Hazrat Mustawrid (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: The reality of this world compared to the Hereafter is like dipping a finger into the sea and then withdrawing it; compare how much water clings to the finger and what relation it has to the sea.”

Hadith: 19

وعن أبى هريرة ، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : الدنيا سجن المومن وجنة الكافر

“And it is narrated from Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: The world is a prison for the believer and a paradise for the disbeliever.”

The Relationship of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ with the World

قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: زُيِّنَ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا وَيَسْخَرُونَ مِنَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ۘ وَالَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا فَوْقَهُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ يَرْزُقُ مَن يَشَاءُ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ ‎ ﴿٢١٢﴾ ‏

❀ Allah Almighty has said:
“The life of this world has been made attractive to those who disbelieve, and they ridicule those who believe. But those who are conscious of Allah will be above them on the Day of Resurrection. And Allah gives provision without account to whom He wills.”

Hadith: 20

وعن أبى هريرة رضی اللہ عنہ ، قال: ما شبع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وأهله ثلاثا تباعا من خبز البر حتى فارق الدنيا

Al-Albani, may Allah have mercy on him, declared it authentic.
“And Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and his household did not eat wheat bread to their fill for three consecutive days until they passed away.”

The World is a Prison for the Believer and Like Paradise for the Disbeliever

قَالَ الله تَعَالَى: زُيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ حُبُّ الشَّهَوَاتِ مِنَ النِّسَاءِ وَالْبَنِينَ وَالْقَنَاطِيرِ الْمُقَنطَرَةِ مِنَ الذَّهَبِ وَالْفِضَّةِ وَالْخَيْلِ الْمُسَوَّمَةِ وَالْأَنْعَامِ وَالْحَرْثِ ۗ ذَٰلِكَ مَتَاعُ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا ۖ وَاللَّهُ عِندَهُ حُسْنُ الْمَآبِ ‎ ﴿١٤﴾ ‏

❀ Allah Almighty has said:
“Beautified for people is the love of desires – of women and sons, and gold and silver accumulated wealth and branded horses and cattle and tilled land. That is the enjoyment of worldly life, but Allah has with Him the best return.”

Hadith: 21

وعن جابر بن عبد الله ان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم مر بجدي أسك ميت قال: أيكم يحب ان هذا له بدرهم ، فقالوا: ما نحب أنه لنا بشيء، قال: فوالله للدنيا أهون على الله من هذا عليكم

“And Sayyiduna Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) passed by a dead kid (young goat) with clipped ears and said: Who among you would like to take it for one dirham? The companions said: We would not like to take it even for free. (Because it is worthless and unreal.) He (peace be upon him) said: By Allah! As worthless and unreal as this is in your eyes, the world is even more worthless and unreal in the sight of Allah.”

The world is disliked by Allah

قالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: وَلَا تَمُدَّنَّ عَيْنَيْكَ إِلَىٰ مَا مَتَّعْنَا بِهِ أَزْوَاجًا مِّنْهُمْ زَهْرَةَ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا لِنَفْتِنَهُمْ فِيهِ ۚ وَرِزْقُ رَبِّكَ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَىٰ ‎ ﴿١٣١﴾ ‏

❀ Allah Almighty has said:
“And (O Prophet!) do not raise your eyes towards that which We have given for enjoyment to various groups of them (people) to test them thereby. But the provision of your Lord is better and everlasting.”

Hadith: 22

وعن قتادة بن النعمان أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: إذا أحب الله عبدا حماه الدنيا كما يظل أحدكم يحمي سقيمه الماء

Al-Muhaddith Al-Albani has declared it authentic.
And it is narrated from Sayyidna Qatadah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “When Allah loves a servant, He protects him from the world just as you protect a sick person from water.”

Intention for the Hereafter

قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: وَمَا كَانَ لِنَفْسٍ أَن تَمُوتَ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ كِتَابًا مُّؤَجَّلًا ۗ وَمَن يُرِدْ ثَوَابَ الدُّنْيَا نُؤْتِهِ مِنْهَا وَمَن يُرِدْ ثَوَابَ الْآخِرَةِ نُؤْتِهِ مِنْهَا ۚ وَسَنَجْزِي الشَّاكِرِينَ ‎ ﴿١٤٥﴾

❀ Allah Almighty has said:
“And no soul can ever die except by Allah’s leave at a decree determined. And whoever desires the reward of this world, We will give him thereof; and whoever desires the reward of the Hereafter, We will give him thereof. And We will reward the grateful.”

Hadith: 23

وعن جابر رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : يود أهل العافية يوم القيامة حين يعطى أهل البلاء الثواب لو أن جلودهم كانت قرضت فى الدنيا بالمقاريض

“And it is narrated from Sayyiduna Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: Those who are safe and sound will, on the Day of Resurrection, when they see the reward of the hardships and pains, wish that their skins had been cut with scissors in this world.”

The World is a Trivial Thing

قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: أُولَٰئِكَ لَهُمْ نَصِيبٌ مِّمَّا كَسَبُوا ۚ وَاللَّهُ سَرِيعُ الْحِسَابِ ‎ ﴿٢٠٢﴾ ‏

❀ And Allah Almighty has said:
“For those people is a share of what they have earned, and Allah is swift in account.”

Hadith: 24

وعن المستورد بن شداد، قال: كنت مع الركب الذين وقفوا مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم على السخلة الميتة ، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : أترون هذه هانت على أهلها حين ألقوها . قالوا: من هوانها ألقوها يا رسول الله ، قال: فالدنيا أهون على الله من هذه على أهلها

Allama Albani, may Allah have mercy on him, has declared it authentic.
“And Sayyiduna Mustawrid bin Shaddad, may Allah be pleased with him, said: I was with those who were standing with the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, near the kid of a dead goat. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: Do you see this kid of the dead goat? How insignificant it will be in the sight of its owner when he throws it away. They said: He has thrown it away because he considered it insignificant. O Messenger of Allah! The Noble Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: The world is even more insignificant in the sight of Allah than this kid of the dead goat.

Hadith: 25

وعن أبى قتادة بن ربعي الأنصاري أنه كان يحدث أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم مر عليه بجنازة. قال: مستريح ومستراح منه . قالوا يا رسول الله ما المستريح والمستراح منه؟ قال: العبد المؤمن يستريح من نصب الدنيا وأذاها إلى رحمة الله والعبد الفاجر يستريح منه العباد والبلاد والشجر والدواب

“And Hazrat Abu Qatada bin Rabi Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that a funeral passed in front of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), and he said: ‘Is it the one who finds rest or the one who gives rest?’ The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) asked: ‘What do you mean by the one who finds rest and the one who gives rest?’ He (peace be upon him) replied: ‘A believer, after death, finds relief from the hardships and pains of this world and rests in the mercy of Allah, while an evil person’s death brings rest to the people, the city, the trees, and the livestock.'”

Eventually, Death Must Come

قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ ۗ وَإِنَّمَا تُوَفَّوْنَ أُجُورَكُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ۖ فَمَن زُحْزِحَ عَنِ النَّارِ وَأُدْخِلَ الْجَنَّةَ فَقَدْ فَازَ ۗ وَمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا مَتَاعُ الْغُرُورِ ‎ ﴿١٨٥﴾ ‏

❀ Allah Almighty has said:
“Everyone shall taste death. Indeed, on the Day of Resurrection, you will be paid your full recompense. Whoever is removed away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has certainly succeeded. And the life of this world is nothing but the enjoyment of delusion.”

Hadith: 26

وعن عبد الله بن عمر رضي الله عنه قال: أخذ رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم بمنكبي فقال: كن فى الدنيا كأنك غريب أو عابر سبيل . وكان ابن عمر يقول: إذا أمسيت فلا تنتظر الصباح – وإذا أصبحت فلا تنتظر المساء . وخذ من صحتك لمرضك ومن حياتك لموتك

“And it is narrated from Hazrat Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) took hold of my shoulder and said: (O Ibn Umar!) Live in this world like a stranger or a traveler. And Ibn Umar used to say: When you reach evening, do not expect the morning, and when you reach morning, do not expect the evening. Prepare for your sickness while you are healthy, and prepare for your death while you are alive.”

Hadith: 27

وعن أبى سعيد الخدري رضي الله عنه قال: خطب النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال: إن الله سبحانه خير عبدا بين الدنيا وبين ما عنده ، فاختار ما عند الله فبكى أبو بكر الصديق رضي الله عنه ، فقلت فى نفسى ما يبكي هذا الشيخ؟ إن يكن الله خير عبدا بين الدنيا وبين ما عنده ، فاختار ما عند الله، فكان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم هو العبد، وكان أبو بكر أعلمنا! فقال يا أبا بكر ، لا تبك ، إن أمن الناس على فى صحبته وماله أبو بكر ، ولو كنت متخذا خليلا من أمتي لاتخذت أبا بكر ، ولكن أخوة الإسلام ومودته ، لا يبقين فى المسجد باب إلا سد إلا باب أبى بكر

“And it is narrated from Hazrat Abu Saeed Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) delivered a sermon: Indeed, Allah Almighty has given a servant the choice regarding this world and the Hereafter (to choose whichever he wishes from the two), but he chose to go to Allah. Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) began to weep upon hearing this. The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) were surprised and said: What has happened to this old Abu Bakr? The Prophet of Allah spoke about one man, and this old Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) started crying? (It turned out that) the servant was the Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him), to whom Allah had given this choice, and Abu Bakr was the most knowledgeable among us. Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: O Abu Bakr! Why do you weep? Indeed, among the people, you have been the most kind to me. If I were to choose a close friend (after Allah), I would have chosen you, but there is Islamic brotherhood and love. In the Prophet’s Mosque, let all doors (of the Companions’ houses) be closed except the door of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him).”

Hadith: 28

وعن البراء بن عازب، عن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: وإن العبد الكافر إذا كان فى انقطاع من الدنيا واقبال من الآخرة نزل إليه من السماء ملائكة سود الوجوه ، معهم المسوح ، فيجلسون منه مد البصر ، ثم يجيء ملك الموت حتى يجلس عند رأسه فيقول: أيتها النفس الخبيثة ، أخرجى إلى سخط من الله وغضب. قال: فتفرق فى جسده، فينتزعها كما ينتزع السفود من الصوف المبلول، فيأخذها ، فإذا أخذها لم يدعوها فى يده طرفة عين حتى يجعلوها فى تلك المسوح ، ويخرج منها كأنتن ريح جيفة وجدت على وجه الأرض ، فيصعدون بها ، فلا يمرون بها على ملأ من الملئكة إلا قالوا: ما هذا الروح الخبيث؟ فيقولون فلان بن فلان ، بأقبح أسمائه التى كان يسمى بها فى الدنيا، حتى ينتهى به إلى السماء الدنيا فيستفتح له ، فلا يفتح له. ثم قرأ رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : ‎ ﴿لَا تُفَتَّحُ لَهُمْ أَبْوَابُ السَّمَاءِ وَلَا يَدْخُلُونَ الْجَنَّةَ حَتَّىٰ يَلِجَ الْجَمَلُ فِي سَمِّ الْخِيَاطِ ۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِي الْمُجْرِمِينَ﴾ ‏

فيقول الله عز وجل: اكتبوا كتابه فى سجين فى الأرض السفلى فتطرح روحه طرحا . ثم قرأ ﴿وَمَن يُشْرِكْ بِاللَّهِ فَكَأَنَّمَا خَرَّ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ فَتَخْطَفُهُ الطَّيْرُ أَوْ تَهْوِي بِهِ الرِّيحُ فِي مَكَانٍ سَحِيقٍ ‎﴾

Hakim has declared it authentic.
“And it is narrated from Hazrat Bara bin Azib (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: When a disbeliever is about to depart from this world and head towards the Hereafter, black-faced angels descend towards him, carrying shrouds made of coarse cloth, and they sit at a distance of the limit of sight from him. Then the Angel of Death comes and sits by his head and says: O impure soul! Come out (and depart) towards the wrath and anger of Allah. The soul enters the body and the angels pull it out as if a thorny iron skewer is pulled out of wet wool. When the angel extracts his soul, the other angels do not let it remain in the hands of the Angel of Death even for a moment, but they wrap it in the coarse shroud. The worst stench that arises from any dead body on earth comes from this soul. The angels take it upwards (towards the heavens), and wherever they pass by the angels near Allah, they say: This is the stench of some impure soul. In response, the angels say: This is the soul of so-and-so, son of so-and-so, the worst name ever taken in the world. Until the angels bring it up to the heaven of the world. The angels request the gate of heaven to be opened, but it is not opened. Then the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) recited this verse: “(For the disbelievers) the gates of heaven will not be opened for them, nor will they enter Paradise until a camel passes through the eye of a needle.”

Then the command comes from Allah Almighty: Register it in the lowest earth, in Sijjin, and the soul of the disbeliever is severely thrown onto the earth. After that, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) recited this verse of the Holy Quran: “Whoever associates partners with Allah will fall from the heavens. Then birds will snatch him or the wind will blow him to a distant place.”

Hadith: 29

وعن عمر بن الخطاب رضي الله عنه قال: دخلت على رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وهو مضطجع على حصير وتحت رأسه وسادة من أدم حشوها ليف فجلست فأدنى عليه إزاره وليس عليه غيره وإذا الحصير قد أثر فى جنبه فنظرت ببصرى فى خزانة رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فإذا أنا بقبضة من شعير نحو الصاع ومثلها قرظا فى ناحية الغرفة وإذا أفيق معلق قال: فابتدرت عيناي قال ما يبكيك يا ابن الخطاب قلت: يا نبي الله وما لي لا أبكي وهذا الحصير قد أثر فى جنبك وهذه خزانتك لا أرى فيها إلا ما ارى وذاك قيصر وكسرى فى الثمار والأنهار وأنت رسول الله صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم وصفوته وهذه خزانتك فقال يا ابن الخطاب ألا ترضى أن تكون لنا الآخرة ولهم الدنيا؟ قلت : بلى

“And Hazrat Umar bin Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) says: I came to the presence of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). He was lying on a mat, and under his blessed head was a leather pillow filled with date palm bark. I sat down. The Prophet (peace be upon him) had lifted his waist-wrapper; besides the waist-wrapper, he had no other cloth. Because he was lying on the mat, marks had appeared on his blessed body. I glanced around the Prophet’s household and saw a few handfuls of barley, about one Sa’ (approximately two and three-quarter kilos), some leaves, and a piece of untanned leather hanging. Seeing this, tears came to my eyes. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: ‘Ibn Khattab! Why do you weep?’ I said: ‘How can I not weep? This is a mat that has left marks on your blessed body, and all the possessions of your household are what I see here, while Caesar and Khosrow live in luxury and wealth. You are the Messenger and the Chosen One of Allah, and you have only these few things?’ The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: ‘O Ibn Khattab! Are you not content that the blessings of the Hereafter are for us, and the blessings of this world are for them (the disbelievers)?’ I said: ‘Why not, O Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), I am content.'”

Hadith: 30

وعن ابن مسعود، قال: قال رسول الله صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم : لا تتخذوا الضيعة فترغبوا فى الدنيا

“And it is narrated from Abdullah bin Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) that the best benefactor, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), said: Do not seek the world in such a way that you become engrossed in it.”

Hadith: 31

وعن سهل قال: سمعت النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: موضع سوط فى الجنة خير من الدنيا وما فيها ، ولغدوة فى سبيل الله أو روحة خير من الدنيا وما فيها

“And Sahl (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that I heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) say: In Paradise, a space the size of a whip is better than the world and all that is in it. And walking a little in the way of Allah in the morning or evening is better than the world and all that is in it.”

Hadith: 32

وعن عبد الله رضي الله عنه قال: خط النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم خطا مربعا، وخط خطا فى الوسط خارجا منه ، وخط خططا صغارا إلى هذا الذى فى الوسط من جانبه الذى فى الوسط، وقال: هذا الإنسان وهذا أجله محيط به أو قد أحاط به ، وهذا الذى هو خارج أمله وهذه الخطط الصغار الأعراض، فإن أخطأه هذا نهشه، هذا وإن أخطأه هذا نهشه هذا

“And Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Masood (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) drew a square. Then he drew a line inside it that came out of the square. After that, in the part of the middle line that was inside the square, he drew many small lines and then said that this is a human being and this is his death surrounding him, and this line (the one coming out from the middle) is his hope, and the small lines are his worldly difficulties. So when a person escapes from one difficulty, he falls into another, and when he escapes from the second, he falls into the third.”

Hadith: 33

وعن أبى هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول : لا يزال قلب الكبير شابا فى اثنتين: فى حب الدنيا، وطول الأمل . قال الليث: حدثني يونس، عن ابن شهاب قال: أخبرني سعيد وأبو سلمة

“And Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say: The heart of an old person always remains young regarding two things: love of the world and hope for a long life. Laith narrated that Yunus narrated to me, and Yunus narrated from Ibn Shihab that Saeed and Abu Salamah informed me.”

Hadith: 34

وعن قيس قال: سمعت خبابا وقد اكتوى يومئذ سبعا فى بطنه وقال: لولا أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم نهانا أن ندعو بالموت لدعوت بالموت ، إن أصحاب محمد مضوا ولم تنقصهم الدنيا بشيء، وإنا أصبنا من الدنيا ما لا نجد له موضعا إلا التراب

“And Qais bin Hazim narrated that I heard Khabbab bin Arat (may Allah be pleased with him) say, that day seven scars were inflicted on his stomach. He said that if the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) had not forbidden us from praying for death, I would have prayed for death for myself. The companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) passed away, and the world did not diminish any of their (good deeds), and we have gained so much from the world that there is no place for it except dust.”

Hadith: 35

وعن مرداس الأسلمي قال: قال النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم : يذهب الصالحون الأول فالاول ، ويبقى حفالة كحفالة الشعير أو التمر لا يباليهم الله بالة . قال أبو عبد الله : يقال: حفالة وحثالة

“And Hazrat Mirdas al-Aslami (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Righteous people will pass away one after another, then there will remain some people in the world like chaff or date-palm refuse, about whom Allah Almighty will have no concern at all. Imam Bukhari said that Hafalah and Hithalah both have the same meaning.”

Hadith: 37

وعن مطرف عن أبيه قال: أتيت النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم وهو يقرا: ﴿الهكم التكاثر﴾ قال يقول: ابن آدم مالي مالي قال وهل لك يا ابن آدم من مالك إلا ما أكلت فأفنيت أو لبست فابليت أو تصدقت فامضيت

“And Mutarrif, may Allah have mercy on him, narrates from his father (Hazrat Abdullah bin al-Shikhkhir, may Allah be pleased with him), that I came to the presence of the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم while he was reciting Surah (الهكم التكاثر ) (You are preoccupied with abundance and desire). He said, ‘The son of Adam says, “My wealth, my wealth.” (He said) O son of Adam, do you have anything of your wealth except what you ate and consumed, or wore and wore out, or gave in charity and sent ahead?'”

Hadith: 38

وعن خولة بنت قيس امرأة حمزة بن عبد المطلب، أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم دخل على حمزة فتذاكرا الدنيا، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : إن الدنيا خضرة حلوة، فمن أخذها بحقها بورك له فيها ، ورب متخوض فى مال الله ومال رسوله (ليس) له [إلا] النار يوم يلقى الله

“And it is narrated from Khawlah bint Qais, the wife of Hamzah ibn Abdul-Muttalib, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, came to Hamzah, and they spoke about the world. The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: Indeed, the world is lush, fresh, and sweet. Whoever takes from the world only what is necessary for him, blessings will be placed in it for him. And many who seize the wealth of Allah and His Messenger, on the Day they meet Allah, the Fire will be their abode.”

Seeking Beauty in the World

قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى:فَإِذَا قَضَيْتُم مَّنَاسِكَكُمْ فَاذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ كَذِكْرِكُمْ آبَاءَكُمْ أَوْ أَشَدَّ ذِكْرًا ۗ فَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَقُولُ رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا وَمَا لَهُ فِي الْآخِرَةِ مِنْ خَلَاقٍ ‎﴿٢٠٠﴾‏ وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَقُولُ رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ ‎﴿٢٠١﴾‏ أُولَٰئِكَ لَهُمْ نَصِيبٌ مِّمَّا كَسَبُوا ۚ وَاللَّهُ سَرِيعُ الْحِسَابِ ‎﴿٢٠٢﴾‏

❀ Allah Almighty has said:
“Then when you have completed your rites (of Hajj), remember Allah as you remember your forefathers, or with even greater remembrance. Among the people is he who says: O our Lord! Give us in this world — and he will have no share in the Hereafter. And among them is he who says: O our Lord! Give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire. Those will have a share of what they have earned; and Allah is swift in account.”

Hadith: 39

وعن أبى حميد الساعدي ، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : أجملوا فى طلب الدنيا ، فإن كلا ميسر لما خلق له

“And it is narrated from Hazrat Abu Humayd Sa’idi (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Be moderate in seeking the world, for everyone is made easy for what he was created for.”

Hadith: 40

وعن سهل بن سعد الساعدي قال: أتى النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم رجل ، فقال: يا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ! دلني على عمل إذا أنا عملته أحبني الله ، وأحبني الناس ، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : إزهد فى الدنيا يحبك الله ، وازهد فيما عند الناس يحبك الناس

“And it is narrated from Sahl bin Sa’d al-Sa’idi (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said, a man came to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, tell me of an action that when I do it, Allah will love me and people will also love me.’ The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: ‘Do not be greedy for the world, Allah will love you, and do not be greedy for what belongs to others, people will also love you.'”

وصلى الله تعالى على خير خلقه محمد وآله وصحبه أجمعين