Written by: Abu Hamzah Abdul Khaliq Siddiqi
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 محمداً عبده ورسوله. أما بعد:
All praise is due to Allah; we praise Him, seek His help, and seek His forgiveness. Whomever Allah guides, none can mislead; and whomever He allows to stray, none can guide. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah alone, without any partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is His servant and Messenger.
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى:
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّ وَعْدَ اللَّهِ حَقٌّ ۖ فَلَا تَغُرَّنَّكُمُ الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا ۖ وَلَا يَغُرَّنَّكُم بِاللَّهِ الْغَرُورُ ﴿٥﴾
(Surah Fāṭir, 35:5)
❀ “O mankind! Indeed, the promise of Allah is true. So do not let the worldly life deceive you, and do not let the deceiver (Satan) delude you concerning Allah.”
عن عبد الله بن مسعود رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم:
اقتربت الساعة، ولا يزداد الناس على الدنيا إلا حرصاً، ولا يزدادون من الله إلا بعداً
(Al-Mustadrak al-Hākim 5/461, no. 7987; Silsilah al-Aḥādīth al-Ṣaḥīḥah no. 1510)
❀ ‘The Hour has drawn near, yet people are becoming more greedy for the world and more distant from Allah.’
رَبِّ قَدْ آتَيْتَنِي مِنَ الْمُلْكِ وَعَلَّمْتَنِي مِن تَأْوِيلِ الْأَحَادِيثِ...
(Surah Yūsuf, 12:101)
❀ “My Lord! You have granted me authority and taught me the interpretation of dreams. Creator of the heavens and the earth! You are my Protector in this world and in the Hereafter. Cause me to die as a Muslim and join me with the righteous.”
عن 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...
(Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī, Kitāb Ṣifat al-Qiyāmah no. 2465; Ṣaḥīḥah no. 949-950)
❀ “Whoever makes the world his concern, Allah will scatter his affairs, place poverty before his eyes, and he will receive only what was written for him. But whoever intends the Hereafter, Allah will gather his affairs, enrich his heart, and the world will come to him humbled.”
وَمَا هَٰذِهِ الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا لَهْوٌ وَلَعِبٌ...
(Surah Al-‘Ankabūt, 29:64)
❀ “And this worldly life is nothing but amusement and play; but indeed, the home of the Hereafter is the true life, if only they knew.”
عن أنس بن مالك رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم:
صوتان ملعونان في الدنيا والآخرة: مزمار عند نعمة، ورنة عند مصيبة
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Targhīb wa al-Tarhīb no. 3527)
❀ “Two sounds are cursed in this world and the next: music at the time of blessing and wailing at the time of calamity.”
زُيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ حُبُّ الشَّهَوَاتِ...
(Surah Āl ʿImrān, 3:14)
❀ “Beautified for people is the love of desires—of women, children, accumulated gold and silver, fine horses, cattle, and plantations. That is the enjoyment of worldly life; but with Allah is the best return.”
عن أبي 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 عالماً أو متعلماً
(Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī, Kitāb al-Zuhd no. 2322; Ibn Mājah no. 4412)
❀ “Behold! The world is accursed, and everything in it is accursed except the remembrance of Allah, what is related to it, the scholar, and the seeker of knowledge.”
الْمَالُ وَالْبَنُونَ زِينَةُ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا...
(Surah al-Kahf, 18:46)
❀ “Wealth and children are adornments of this worldly life, but the everlasting good deeds are better with your Lord for reward and better for hope.”
عن أبي سعيد الخدري رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم:
إن مما أخاف عليكم من بعدي ما يفتح عليكم من زهرة الدنيا وزينتها
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Zakāh no. 1465)
❀ “What I fear most for you after me is that the splendor and beauty of the world will be opened up for you.”
عن عون بن أبي جحيفة قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم:
إنها ستفتح عليكم الدنيا حتى تنجدوا بيوتكم كما تنجد الكعبة...
(Silsilah al-Ṣaḥīḥah no. 2486)
❀ “The world will be opened up to you until you decorate your houses as the Ka‘bah is adorned.” They asked, “Will we remain on our religion then?” He replied, “Yes, you will.” They asked, “Will we be better then or today?” He said, “You are better today.”
عن أبي 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...
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim no. 2699)
❀ “Whoever relieves a believer of one distress of this world, Allah will relieve him of one distress on the Day of Resurrection...”
(Full Hadith continues as translated above.)
عن أبي موسى رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم:
من أحب دنياه أضر بآخرته، ومن أحب آخرته أضر بدنياه...
(Musnad Aḥmad 4/412; Ibn Ḥibbān; al-Ḥākim)
❀ “Whoever loves the world harms his Hereafter; and whoever loves the Hereafter harms his worldly interests. So prefer that which lasts over that which perishes.”
عن عبد الله رضي الله عنه قال:
اضطجع النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم على حصير فأثر في جلده...
(Ibn Mājah no. 4109; Ṣaḥīḥah no. 439)
❀ “The Prophet ﷺ lay on a mat that left marks on his body. I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, if you permit us, we could spread something softer for you.’ He said, ‘What have I to do with the world? My relation with the world is like a traveler who rests under a tree’s shade and then departs.’”
عن أنس رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم:
إن الله لا يظلم مؤمناً حسنة...
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim no. 7089)
❀ “Allah does not wrong a believer for any good deed; He grants him provision for it in this world and rewards him for it in the Hereafter.”
عن ابن عمر رضي الله عنهما قال:
كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقوم من مجلس حتى يدعو بهؤلاء الدعوات...
(Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī no. 3502)
❀ “O Allah! Grant us such fear of You as will keep us away from disobedience to You, and grant us such obedience that will lead us to Paradise...”
(Full supplication as translated above.)
عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم:
لا يستر عبد عبداً في الدنيا إلا ستره الله يوم القيامة
(Musnad Aḥmad no. 9237)
❀ “Whoever conceals the faults of a fellow servant in this world, Allah will conceal his faults on the Day of Resurrection.”
Qur’anic Verse:
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ لَا يَرْجُونَ لِقَاءَنَا...
(Surah Yūnus, 10:7–8)
❀ “Indeed, those who do not expect to meet Us and are satisfied with the worldly life and are content with it, and those who are heedless of Our signs — their abode will be the Fire, because of what they used to earn.”
عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الْمُحَصَّنِ الْخَطْمِيِّ، وَكَانَتْ لَهُ صُحْبَةٌ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ:
مَنْ أَصْبَحَ مِنْكُمْ آمِنًا فِي سِرْبِهِ، مُعَافًى فِي جَسَدِهِ، عِنْدَهُ قُوتُ يَوْمِهِ، فَكَأَنَّمَا حِيزَتْ لَهُ الدُّنْيَا
(Jāmi‘ al-Tirmidhī, Kitāb al-Zuhd, no. 2346 — Shaykh al-Albānī graded it ḥasan)
❀ “Whoever among you wakes up secure in his home, healthy in his body, and possessing his day’s provision — it is as though the entire world has been gathered for him.”
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى:
اعْلَمُوا أَنَّمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا لَعِبٌ وَلَهْوٌ وَزِينَةٌ وَتَفَاخُرٌ بَيْنَكُمْ...
(Surah al-Ḥadīd, 57:20)
❀ “Know that the life of this world is but play and amusement, adornment and boasting among yourselves, and competition in wealth and children. It is like rain whose growth pleases the farmers; then it withers, and you see it turn yellow; then it becomes chaff. But in the Hereafter there is severe punishment, and forgiveness from Allah and pleasure. And the life of this world is nothing but the enjoyment of delusion.”
عَنْ ثَوْبَانَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ:
يُوشِكُ الْأُمَمُ أَنْ تَدَاعَى عَلَيْكُمْ كَمَا تَدَاعَى الْأَكَلَةُ إِلَى قَصْعَتِهَا...
(Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Kitāb al-Malāḥim, no. 4297; Silsilah al-Ṣaḥīḥah, no. 956)
❀ “Soon the nations will gather against you as eaters gather around a dish.” Someone asked, “Will it be because we are few in number then?” He said, “No, you will be many, but you will be like the foam on the sea. Allah will remove fear of you from your enemies and will cast ‘wahn’ into your hearts.” Someone asked, “O Messenger of Allah, what is ‘wahn’?” He replied, “Love of the world and hatred of death.”
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى:
وَذَرِ الَّذِينَ اتَّخَذُوا دِينَهُمْ لَعِبًا وَلَهْوًا وَغَرَّتْهُمُ الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا...
(Surah al-An‘ām, 6:70)
❀ “Leave those who take their religion as play and amusement and are deceived by the life of this world. But remind them through the Qur’an lest a soul be given up to destruction for what it has earned…”
عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ سَعْدٍ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ:
لَوْ كَانَتِ الدُّنْيَا تَعْدِلُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ جَنَاحَ بَعُوضَةٍ مَا سَقَى كَافِرًا مِنْهَا شَرْبَةَ مَاءٍ
(Jāmi‘ al-Tirmidhī, no. 2320; Silsilah al-Ṣaḥīḥah, no. 940)
❀ “If this world were equal to even a mosquito’s wing in Allah’s sight, He would not have given a disbeliever a sip of water from it.”
عَنْ الْمُسْتَوْرِدِ بْنِ شَدَّادٍ قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ:
وَاللَّهِ مَا الدُّنْيَا فِي الْآخِرَةِ إِلَّا مِثْلُ مَا يَجْعَلُ أَحَدُكُمْ إِصْبَعَهُ فِي الْيَمِّ، فَلْيَنْظُرْ بِمَ يَرْجِعُ
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim no. 2858; Jāmi‘ al-Tirmidhī no. 2323)
❀ “By Allah! The likeness of this world compared to the Hereafter is as if one of you dipped his finger into the sea — let him see what (amount of water) he brings back.”
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ:
الدُّنْيَا سِجْنُ الْمُؤْمِنِ وَجَنَّةُ الْكَافِرِ
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Zuhd, no. 2956)
❀ “The world is a prison for the believer and a paradise for the disbeliever.”
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى:
زُيِّنَ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا وَيَسْخَرُونَ مِنَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا...
(Surah al-Baqarah, 2:212)
❀ “Beautified for those who disbelieve is the life of this world, and they mock those who believe. But those who fear Allah will be above them on the Day of Resurrection. And Allah provides to whom He wills without measure.”
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ:
مَا شَبِعَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَأَهْلُهُ ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ تِبَاعًا مِنْ خُبْزِ الْبُرِّ حَتَّى فَارَقَ الدُّنْيَا
(Jāmi‘ al-Tirmidhī no. 2359 — graded ṣaḥīḥ by al-Albānī)
❀ “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ and his family never ate their fill of wheat bread for three consecutive days until he departed from this world.”
زُيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ حُبُّ الشَّهَوَاتِ...
(Surah Āl ʿImrān, 3:14)
❀ “Beautified for people is the love of desires—of women, children, gold and silver treasures, fine horses, cattle, and plantations. That is the enjoyment of worldly life, but with Allah is the best return.”
عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ:
مَرَّ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ بِجَدْيٍ أَسَكَّ مَيِّتٍ فَقَالَ: أَيُّكُمْ يُحِبُّ أَنَّ هَذَا لَهُ بِدِرْهَمٍ؟...
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Zuhd, no. 2957)
❀ “The Prophet ﷺ passed by a dead goat with small ears and said, ‘Who among you would like to have this for a dirham?’ They said, ‘We would not take it for anything.’ He said, ‘By Allah, the world is more worthless to Allah than this is to you.’”
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى:
وَلَا تَمُدَّنَّ عَيْنَيْكَ إِلَىٰ مَا مَتَّعْنَا بِهِ أَزْوَاجًا مِّنْهُمْ...
(Surah Ṭā Hā, 20:131)
❀ “Do not extend your eyes toward that by which We have given enjoyment to some among them — the splendor of worldly life — by which We test them. But the provision of your Lord is better and more lasting.”
عَنْ قَتَادَةَ بْنِ النُّعْمَانِ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ:
إِذَا أَحَبَّ اللَّهُ عَبْدًا حَمَاهُ الدُّنْيَا كَمَا يَظِلُّ أَحَدُكُمْ يَحْمِي سَقِيمَهُ الْمَاءَ
(Jāmi‘ al-Tirmidhī, Kitāb al-Ṭibb no. 2036 — graded ṣaḥīḥ by al-Albānī)
❀ “When Allah loves a servant, He protects him from the world just as one of you protects his sick one from water.”
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى:
وَمَن يُرِدْ ثَوَابَ الدُّنْيَا نُؤْتِهِ مِنْهَا وَمَن يُرِدْ ثَوَابَ الْآخِرَةِ نُؤْتِهِ مِنْهَا...
(Surah Āl ʿImrān, 3:145)
❀ “Whoever desires the reward of this world — We shall give him some of it; and whoever desires the reward of the Hereafter — We shall give him some of it; and We will reward the grateful.”
عَنْ جَابِرٍ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ:
يَوَدُّ أَهْلُ الْعَافِيَةِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ حِينَ يُعْطَى أَهْلُ الْبَلَاءِ الثَّوَابَ...
(Jāmi‘ al-Tirmidhī no. 2402; Silsilah al-Ṣaḥīḥah no. 2206)
❀ “Those who enjoyed ease in the world will wish on the Day of Resurrection that their skins had been cut with scissors when they see the great reward given to those who were afflicted.”
عَنْ الْمُسْتَوْرِدِ بْنِ شَدَّادٍ قَالَ:
كُنْتُ مَعَ الرَّكْبِ الَّذِينَ وَقَفُوا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ عَلَى السَّخْلَةِ الْمَيِّتَةِ...
(Jāmi‘ al-Tirmidhī no. 2321)
❀ “The Prophet ﷺ stood near a dead goat’s carcass and said, ‘Do you see how worthless this is to its owners?’ They said, ‘They threw it away because it was worthless.’ The Prophet ﷺ said, ‘By Allah, the world is more worthless to Allah than this is to its owners.’”
عَنْ أَبِي قَتَادَةَ بْنِ رِبْعِيٍّ الْأَنْصَارِيِّ أَنَّهُ كَانَ يُحَدِّثُ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ مَرَّ عَلَيْهِ بِجِنَازَةٍ...
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Riqāq, no. 6512)
❀ “A funeral passed by the Prophet ﷺ, and he said: ‘Relieved or relieving?’ The people asked: ‘O Messenger of Allah, what is meant by relieved or relieving?’ He said: ‘A believer is relieved from the hardships of the world and its troubles, and departs to the mercy of Allah. The wicked person, people, lands, trees, and animals are relieved from him.’”
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى:
كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ...
(Surah Āl ʿImrān, 3:185)
❀ “Every soul shall taste death, and you will only be given your full compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So whoever is saved from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has indeed triumphed. And the life of this world is but the enjoyment of deception.”
عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُمَا قَالَ:
أَخَذَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ بِمَنْكِبَيَّ فَقَالَ: كُنْ فِي الدُّنْيَا كَأَنَّكَ غَرِيبٌ أَوْ عَابِرُ سَبِيلٍ...
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī no. 6414)
❀ “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ took hold of my shoulders and said, ‘Be in this world as though you were a stranger or a traveler.’ Ibn ʿUmar used to say: ‘When you reach the evening, do not expect to see the morning; and when you reach the morning, do not expect to see the evening. Take advantage of your health before your sickness and your life before your death.’”
عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ:
خَطَبَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ فَقَالَ: إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَيَّرَ عَبْدًا بَيْنَ الدُّنْيَا وَمَا عِنْدَهُ...
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī no. 466)
❀ “The Prophet ﷺ said: ‘Allah gave a servant the choice between the world and what is with Him, and he chose what is with Allah.’ Abu Bakr began to weep... The Prophet ﷺ said: ‘O Abu Bakr, do not weep! The most secure of all people regarding my companionship and wealth is Abu Bakr. If I were to take anyone as an intimate friend other than my Lord, I would have taken Abu Bakr — but the bond of brotherhood in Islam remains.’”
عَنْ الْبَرَاءِ بْنِ عَازِبٍ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ:
(Musnad Aḥmad 4/278; al-Ḥākim 1/37 — graded ṣaḥīḥ)
❀ “When the disbelieving servant is at the point of leaving this world and entering the Hereafter, angels with dark faces descend upon him with coarse cloths (from Hell). They sit as far as the eye can see. Then the Angel of Death comes and says: ‘O vile soul! Come out to the wrath and anger of Allah.’ The soul disperses in the body, and he pulls it out as a skewer is pulled from wet wool...”
(Full detailed narration continues describing how the disbeliever’s soul is rejected by the heavens and cast down to the lowest earth.)
عَنْ عُمَرَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ:
دَخَلْتُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَهُوَ مُضْطَجِعٌ عَلَى حَصِيرٍ، وَتَحْتَ رَأْسِهِ وِسَادَةٌ مِنْ أَدَمٍ حَشْوُهَا لِيفٌ...
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Ṭalāq, no. 3691)
❀ “I entered upon the Messenger of Allah ﷺ while he was lying on a mat. A leather cushion filled with palm fiber was under his head. The mat had left marks on his blessed side. I looked around and saw only a handful of barley and a few leaves in one corner of the room. Seeing this, my eyes filled with tears. The Prophet ﷺ asked, ‘Why do you weep, O Ibn al-Khaṭṭāb?’ I said, ‘Why should I not weep? This mat has left marks on your side, and I see nothing in your house, yet Caesar and Chosroes live in luxury! You are the Messenger of Allah and His chosen one, yet this is your condition!’ He ﷺ said, ‘O Ibn al-Khaṭṭāb, are you not pleased that for us is the Hereafter, and for them is the world?’ I said, ‘Indeed, O Messenger of Allah, I am pleased.’”
عَنْ ابْنِ مَسْعُودٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ:
لَا تَتَّخِذُوا الضَّيْعَةَ فَتَرْغَبُوا فِي الدُّنْيَا
(Jāmi‘ al-Tirmidhī no. 2328; Musnad Aḥmad 1/377; Ṣaḥīḥah no. 12)
❀ “Do not acquire worldly estates in such a way that you become attached to the world.”
عَنْ سَهْلٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ يَقُولُ:
مَوْضِعُ سَوْطٍ فِي الْجَنَّةِ خَيْرٌ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا وَمَا فِيهَا...
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Riqāq, no. 6415)
❀ “A space in Paradise equal to the width of a whip is better than the world and everything in it. And a morning or evening spent in the path of Allah is better than the world and whatever it contains.”
عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ:
خَطَّ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ خَطًّا مُرَبَّعًا...
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī no. 6417)
❀ “The Prophet ﷺ drew a square, then a line extending beyond it, and many small lines on the sides. He said: ‘This is man, and this (square) is his appointed time enclosing him. The line extending beyond it is his hope, and the small lines are his trials and afflictions. If one misses him, another will strike him.’”
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ:
لَا يَزَالُ قَلْبُ الْكَبِيرِ شَابًّا فِي اثْنَتَيْنِ: فِي حُبِّ الدُّنْيَا وَطُولِ الْأَمَلِ
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī no. 6420)
❀ “The heart of an old man remains young in two things — love for the world and long hopes.”
عَنْ قَيْسٍ قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ خَبَّابًا يَقُولُ...
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī no. 6430)
❀ “Khabāb رضي الله عنه said: Had the Messenger of Allah ﷺ not forbidden us from praying for death, I would have prayed for it. The companions of Muhammad ﷺ have gone, and the world did not decrease their reward. But we have been given of the world that for which we find no place except the earth (i.e., the grave).”
عَنْ مِرْدَاسٍ الْأَسْلَمِيِّ قَالَ: قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ:
يَذْهَبُ الصَّالِحُونَ الْأَوَّلَ فَالْأَوَّلَ، وَيَبْقَى حُفَالَةٌ كَحُفَالَةِ الشَّعِيرِ أَوِ التَّمْرِ، لَا يُبَالِيهِمُ اللَّهُ بَالَةً
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī no. 6434)
❀ “The righteous will pass away one after another, leaving behind worthless remnants like the refuse of barley or dates — Allah will not care for them at all.”
عَنْ مُطَرِّفٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ قَالَ:
أَتَيْتُ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ وَهُوَ يَقْرَأُ: ﴿أَلْهَاكُمُ التَّكَاثُرُ﴾...
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim no. 7420)
❀ “The Prophet ﷺ recited: ‘Competition in worldly increase diverts you.’ Then said: ‘The son of Adam says, “My wealth, my wealth.” But do you have of your wealth except what you eat and consume, what you wear and wear out, or what you give in charity and thus send ahead?’”
عَنْ خَوْلَةَ بِنْتِ قَيْسٍ امْرَأَةِ حَمْزَةَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ:
إِنَّ الدُّنْيَا خَضِرَةٌ حُلْوَةٌ، فَمَنْ أَخَذَهَا بِحَقِّهَا بُورِكَ لَهُ فِيهَا، وَرُبَّ مُتَخَوِّضٍ فِي مَالِ اللَّهِ وَمَالِ رَسُولِهِ لَيْسَ لَهُ إِلَّا النَّارُ
(Silsilah al-Ṣaḥīḥah no. 1592; Jāmi‘ al-Tirmidhī no. 2374; Musnad Aḥmad 6/364)
❀ “The world is sweet and green. Whoever takes from it rightfully will be blessed in it, but whoever takes it wrongfully, he will find nothing but the Fire on the Day he meets Allah.”
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى:
فَإِذَا قَضَيْتُمْ مَنَاسِكَكُمْ فَاذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ...
(Surah al-Baqarah, 2:200–202)
❀ “There are some who say: ‘Our Lord, give us in this world,’ but they will have no share in the Hereafter. And some who say: ‘Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter and protect us from the torment of the Fire.’ Those will have a share of what they have earned, and Allah is swift in account.”
عَنْ أَبِي حُمَيْدٍ السَّاعِدِيِّ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ:
أَجْمِلُوا فِي طَلَبِ الدُّنْيَا، فَإِنَّ كُلًّا مُيَسَّرٌ لِمَا خُلِقَ لَهُ
(Silsilah al-Ṣaḥīḥah no. 898; Sunan Ibn Mājah no. 2142)
❀ “Be moderate in seeking your livelihood, for every person will be facilitated toward that for which he was created.”
عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ سَعْدٍ السَّاعِدِيِّ قَالَ:
أَتَى النَّبِيَّ ﷺ رَجُلٌ فَقَالَ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، دُلَّنِي عَلَى عَمَلٍ إِذَا عَمِلْتُهُ أَحَبَّنِي اللَّهُ وَأَحَبَّنِي النَّاسُ...
(Silsilah al-Ṣaḥīḥah no. 944; Ibn Mājah no. 4102)
❀ “A man came to the Prophet ﷺ and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, tell me of a deed which, if I do it, Allah will love me and people will love me.’ He said: ‘Detach yourself from the world and Allah will love you; detach yourself from what people possess and people will love you.’”
These sacred narrations illuminate that the true believer’s heart is never captivated by the world’s allure. The world is fleeting, a temporary lodging for those passing by — its sweetness deceives many, while its trials awaken the wise.
He who seeks the pleasure of Allah and the eternal Hereafter finds contentment in simplicity and gratitude, while he who chases worldly desires loses both peace and purpose.
May Allah سبحانه وتعالى grant us the wisdom to value the Hereafter over this world, to remain moderate in our pursuits, and to live with hearts detached from material illusion yet devoted to His remembrance and service.
اللهم آمين
Praise to Allah
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 محمداً عبده ورسوله. أما بعد:
All praise is due to Allah; we praise Him, seek His help, and seek His forgiveness. Whomever Allah guides, none can mislead; and whomever He allows to stray, none can guide. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah alone, without any partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is His servant and Messenger.
◈ The Deception of the World
Qur’anic Verse
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى:
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّ وَعْدَ اللَّهِ حَقٌّ ۖ فَلَا تَغُرَّنَّكُمُ الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا ۖ وَلَا يَغُرَّنَّكُم بِاللَّهِ الْغَرُورُ ﴿٥﴾
(Surah Fāṭir, 35:5)
❀ “O mankind! Indeed, the promise of Allah is true. So do not let the worldly life deceive you, and do not let the deceiver (Satan) delude you concerning 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 حرصاً، ولا يزدادون من الله إلا بعداً
(Al-Mustadrak al-Hākim 5/461, no. 7987; Silsilah al-Aḥādīth al-Ṣaḥīḥah no. 1510)
❀ ‘The Hour has drawn near, yet people are becoming more greedy for the world and more distant from Allah.’
Concern for the Hereafter over the World
Qur’anic Verse
رَبِّ قَدْ آتَيْتَنِي مِنَ الْمُلْكِ وَعَلَّمْتَنِي مِن تَأْوِيلِ الْأَحَادِيثِ...
(Surah Yūsuf, 12:101)
❀ “My Lord! You have granted me authority and taught me the interpretation of dreams. Creator of the heavens and the earth! You are my Protector in this world and in the Hereafter. Cause me to die as a Muslim and join me with the righteous.”
Hadith 2
عن 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...
(Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī, Kitāb Ṣifat al-Qiyāmah no. 2465; Ṣaḥīḥah no. 949-950)
❀ “Whoever makes the world his concern, Allah will scatter his affairs, place poverty before his eyes, and he will receive only what was written for him. But whoever intends the Hereafter, Allah will gather his affairs, enrich his heart, and the world will come to him humbled.”
The World is Mere Play and Amusement
Qur’anic Verse
وَمَا هَٰذِهِ الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا لَهْوٌ وَلَعِبٌ...
(Surah Al-‘Ankabūt, 29:64)
❀ “And this worldly life is nothing but amusement and play; but indeed, the home of the Hereafter is the true life, if only they knew.”
Hadith 3
عن أنس بن مالك رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم:
صوتان ملعونان في الدنيا والآخرة: مزمار عند نعمة، ورنة عند مصيبة
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Targhīb wa al-Tarhīb no. 3527)
❀ “Two sounds are cursed in this world and the next: music at the time of blessing and wailing at the time of calamity.”
The Cursed Nature of the World
Qur’anic Verse
زُيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ حُبُّ الشَّهَوَاتِ...
(Surah Āl ʿImrān, 3:14)
❀ “Beautified for people is the love of desires—of women, children, accumulated gold and silver, fine horses, cattle, and plantations. That is the enjoyment of worldly life; but with Allah is the best return.”
Hadith 4
عن أبي 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 عالماً أو متعلماً
(Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī, Kitāb al-Zuhd no. 2322; Ibn Mājah no. 4412)
❀ “Behold! The world is accursed, and everything in it is accursed except the remembrance of Allah, what is related to it, the scholar, and the seeker of knowledge.”
Adornment of the World
Qur’anic Verse
الْمَالُ وَالْبَنُونَ زِينَةُ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا...
(Surah al-Kahf, 18:46)
❀ “Wealth and children are adornments of this worldly life, but the everlasting good deeds are better with your Lord for reward and better for hope.”
Hadith 5
عن أبي سعيد الخدري رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم:
إن مما أخاف عليكم من بعدي ما يفتح عليكم من زهرة الدنيا وزينتها
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Zakāh no. 1465)
❀ “What I fear most for you after me is that the splendor and beauty of the world will be opened up for you.”
Hadith 6
عن عون بن أبي جحيفة قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم:
إنها ستفتح عليكم الدنيا حتى تنجدوا بيوتكم كما تنجد الكعبة...
(Silsilah al-Ṣaḥīḥah no. 2486)
❀ “The world will be opened up to you until you decorate your houses as the Ka‘bah is adorned.” They asked, “Will we remain on our religion then?” He replied, “Yes, you will.” They asked, “Will we be better then or today?” He said, “You are better today.”
Serving in the World while Remembering the Hereafter
Hadith 7
عن أبي 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...
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim no. 2699)
❀ “Whoever relieves a believer of one distress of this world, Allah will relieve him of one distress on the Day of Resurrection...”
(Full Hadith continues as translated above.)
Love for the World Harms the Hereafter
Hadith 8
عن أبي موسى رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم:
من أحب دنياه أضر بآخرته، ومن أحب آخرته أضر بدنياه...
(Musnad Aḥmad 4/412; Ibn Ḥibbān; al-Ḥākim)
❀ “Whoever loves the world harms his Hereafter; and whoever loves the Hereafter harms his worldly interests. So prefer that which lasts over that which perishes.”
The Example of the Prophet ﷺ’s Relationship with the World
Hadith 9
عن عبد الله رضي الله عنه قال:
اضطجع النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم على حصير فأثر في جلده...
(Ibn Mājah no. 4109; Ṣaḥīḥah no. 439)
❀ “The Prophet ﷺ lay on a mat that left marks on his body. I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, if you permit us, we could spread something softer for you.’ He said, ‘What have I to do with the world? My relation with the world is like a traveler who rests under a tree’s shade and then departs.’”
A Believer is Rewarded in Both Worlds
Hadith 10
عن أنس رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم:
إن الله لا يظلم مؤمناً حسنة...
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim no. 7089)
❀ “Allah does not wrong a believer for any good deed; He grants him provision for it in this world and rewards him for it in the Hereafter.”
Supplication for Ease from the Trials of the World
Hadith 11
عن ابن عمر رضي الله عنهما قال:
كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقوم من مجلس حتى يدعو بهؤلاء الدعوات...
(Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī no. 3502)
❀ “O Allah! Grant us such fear of You as will keep us away from disobedience to You, and grant us such obedience that will lead us to Paradise...”
(Full supplication as translated above.)
Concealing the Faults of Others
Hadith 12
عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم:
لا يستر عبد عبداً في الدنيا إلا ستره الله يوم القيامة
(Musnad Aḥmad no. 9237)
❀ “Whoever conceals the faults of a fellow servant in this world, Allah will conceal his faults on the Day of Resurrection.”
Health and Contentment — The Greatest Blessings
Qur’anic Verse:
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ لَا يَرْجُونَ لِقَاءَنَا...
(Surah Yūnus, 10:7–8)
❀ “Indeed, those who do not expect to meet Us and are satisfied with the worldly life and are content with it, and those who are heedless of Our signs — their abode will be the Fire, because of what they used to earn.”
True Wealth and Contentment
Hadith 13
عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الْمُحَصَّنِ الْخَطْمِيِّ، وَكَانَتْ لَهُ صُحْبَةٌ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ:
مَنْ أَصْبَحَ مِنْكُمْ آمِنًا فِي سِرْبِهِ، مُعَافًى فِي جَسَدِهِ، عِنْدَهُ قُوتُ يَوْمِهِ، فَكَأَنَّمَا حِيزَتْ لَهُ الدُّنْيَا
(Jāmi‘ al-Tirmidhī, Kitāb al-Zuhd, no. 2346 — Shaykh al-Albānī graded it ḥasan)
❀ “Whoever among you wakes up secure in his home, healthy in his body, and possessing his day’s provision — it is as though the entire world has been gathered for him.”
Love for the World and Hatred of Death
Qur’anic Verse
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى:
اعْلَمُوا أَنَّمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا لَعِبٌ وَلَهْوٌ وَزِينَةٌ وَتَفَاخُرٌ بَيْنَكُمْ...
(Surah al-Ḥadīd, 57:20)
❀ “Know that the life of this world is but play and amusement, adornment and boasting among yourselves, and competition in wealth and children. It is like rain whose growth pleases the farmers; then it withers, and you see it turn yellow; then it becomes chaff. But in the Hereafter there is severe punishment, and forgiveness from Allah and pleasure. And the life of this world is nothing but the enjoyment of delusion.”
Hadith 14
عَنْ ثَوْبَانَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ:
يُوشِكُ الْأُمَمُ أَنْ تَدَاعَى عَلَيْكُمْ كَمَا تَدَاعَى الْأَكَلَةُ إِلَى قَصْعَتِهَا...
(Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Kitāb al-Malāḥim, no. 4297; Silsilah al-Ṣaḥīḥah, no. 956)
❀ “Soon the nations will gather against you as eaters gather around a dish.” Someone asked, “Will it be because we are few in number then?” He said, “No, you will be many, but you will be like the foam on the sea. Allah will remove fear of you from your enemies and will cast ‘wahn’ into your hearts.” Someone asked, “O Messenger of Allah, what is ‘wahn’?” He replied, “Love of the world and hatred of death.”
The Worthlessness of the World
Qur’anic Verse
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى:
وَذَرِ الَّذِينَ اتَّخَذُوا دِينَهُمْ لَعِبًا وَلَهْوًا وَغَرَّتْهُمُ الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا...
(Surah al-An‘ām, 6:70)
❀ “Leave those who take their religion as play and amusement and are deceived by the life of this world. But remind them through the Qur’an lest a soul be given up to destruction for what it has earned…”
Hadith 15
عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ سَعْدٍ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ:
لَوْ كَانَتِ الدُّنْيَا تَعْدِلُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ جَنَاحَ بَعُوضَةٍ مَا سَقَى كَافِرًا مِنْهَا شَرْبَةَ مَاءٍ
(Jāmi‘ al-Tirmidhī, no. 2320; Silsilah al-Ṣaḥīḥah, no. 940)
❀ “If this world were equal to even a mosquito’s wing in Allah’s sight, He would not have given a disbeliever a sip of water from it.”
Hadith 16
عَنْ الْمُسْتَوْرِدِ بْنِ شَدَّادٍ قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ:
وَاللَّهِ مَا الدُّنْيَا فِي الْآخِرَةِ إِلَّا مِثْلُ مَا يَجْعَلُ أَحَدُكُمْ إِصْبَعَهُ فِي الْيَمِّ، فَلْيَنْظُرْ بِمَ يَرْجِعُ
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim no. 2858; Jāmi‘ al-Tirmidhī no. 2323)
❀ “By Allah! The likeness of this world compared to the Hereafter is as if one of you dipped his finger into the sea — let him see what (amount of water) he brings back.”
Hadith 17
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ:
الدُّنْيَا سِجْنُ الْمُؤْمِنِ وَجَنَّةُ الْكَافِرِ
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Zuhd, no. 2956)
❀ “The world is a prison for the believer and a paradise for the disbeliever.”
The Prophet ﷺ’s Relationship with the World
Qur’anic Verse
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى:
زُيِّنَ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا وَيَسْخَرُونَ مِنَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا...
(Surah al-Baqarah, 2:212)
❀ “Beautified for those who disbelieve is the life of this world, and they mock those who believe. But those who fear Allah will be above them on the Day of Resurrection. And Allah provides to whom He wills without measure.”
Hadith 18
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ:
مَا شَبِعَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَأَهْلُهُ ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ تِبَاعًا مِنْ خُبْزِ الْبُرِّ حَتَّى فَارَقَ الدُّنْيَا
(Jāmi‘ al-Tirmidhī no. 2359 — graded ṣaḥīḥ by al-Albānī)
❀ “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ and his family never ate their fill of wheat bread for three consecutive days until he departed from this world.”
The World — Prison for the Believer, Paradise for the Disbeliever
Qur’anic Verse
زُيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ حُبُّ الشَّهَوَاتِ...
(Surah Āl ʿImrān, 3:14)
❀ “Beautified for people is the love of desires—of women, children, gold and silver treasures, fine horses, cattle, and plantations. That is the enjoyment of worldly life, but with Allah is the best return.”
Hadith 19
عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ:
مَرَّ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ بِجَدْيٍ أَسَكَّ مَيِّتٍ فَقَالَ: أَيُّكُمْ يُحِبُّ أَنَّ هَذَا لَهُ بِدِرْهَمٍ؟...
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Zuhd, no. 2957)
❀ “The Prophet ﷺ passed by a dead goat with small ears and said, ‘Who among you would like to have this for a dirham?’ They said, ‘We would not take it for anything.’ He said, ‘By Allah, the world is more worthless to Allah than this is to you.’”
The World is Disliked by Allah
Qur’anic Verse
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى:
وَلَا تَمُدَّنَّ عَيْنَيْكَ إِلَىٰ مَا مَتَّعْنَا بِهِ أَزْوَاجًا مِّنْهُمْ...
(Surah Ṭā Hā, 20:131)
❀ “Do not extend your eyes toward that by which We have given enjoyment to some among them — the splendor of worldly life — by which We test them. But the provision of your Lord is better and more lasting.”
Hadith 20
عَنْ قَتَادَةَ بْنِ النُّعْمَانِ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ:
إِذَا أَحَبَّ اللَّهُ عَبْدًا حَمَاهُ الدُّنْيَا كَمَا يَظِلُّ أَحَدُكُمْ يَحْمِي سَقِيمَهُ الْمَاءَ
(Jāmi‘ al-Tirmidhī, Kitāb al-Ṭibb no. 2036 — graded ṣaḥīḥ by al-Albānī)
❀ “When Allah loves a servant, He protects him from the world just as one of you protects his sick one from water.”
The Intention for the Hereafter
Qur’anic Verse
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى:
وَمَن يُرِدْ ثَوَابَ الدُّنْيَا نُؤْتِهِ مِنْهَا وَمَن يُرِدْ ثَوَابَ الْآخِرَةِ نُؤْتِهِ مِنْهَا...
(Surah Āl ʿImrān, 3:145)
❀ “Whoever desires the reward of this world — We shall give him some of it; and whoever desires the reward of the Hereafter — We shall give him some of it; and We will reward the grateful.”
Hadith 21
عَنْ جَابِرٍ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ:
يَوَدُّ أَهْلُ الْعَافِيَةِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ حِينَ يُعْطَى أَهْلُ الْبَلَاءِ الثَّوَابَ...
(Jāmi‘ al-Tirmidhī no. 2402; Silsilah al-Ṣaḥīḥah no. 2206)
❀ “Those who enjoyed ease in the world will wish on the Day of Resurrection that their skins had been cut with scissors when they see the great reward given to those who were afflicted.”
The Insignificance of the World
Hadith 22
عَنْ الْمُسْتَوْرِدِ بْنِ شَدَّادٍ قَالَ:
كُنْتُ مَعَ الرَّكْبِ الَّذِينَ وَقَفُوا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ عَلَى السَّخْلَةِ الْمَيِّتَةِ...
(Jāmi‘ al-Tirmidhī no. 2321)
❀ “The Prophet ﷺ stood near a dead goat’s carcass and said, ‘Do you see how worthless this is to its owners?’ They said, ‘They threw it away because it was worthless.’ The Prophet ﷺ said, ‘By Allah, the world is more worthless to Allah than this is to its owners.’”
⚰ Remembering the Agonies of Death
Hadith 23
عَنْ أَبِي قَتَادَةَ بْنِ رِبْعِيٍّ الْأَنْصَارِيِّ أَنَّهُ كَانَ يُحَدِّثُ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ مَرَّ عَلَيْهِ بِجِنَازَةٍ...
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Riqāq, no. 6512)
❀ “A funeral passed by the Prophet ﷺ, and he said: ‘Relieved or relieving?’ The people asked: ‘O Messenger of Allah, what is meant by relieved or relieving?’ He said: ‘A believer is relieved from the hardships of the world and its troubles, and departs to the mercy of Allah. The wicked person, people, lands, trees, and animals are relieved from him.’”
🕊 Death is Inevitable
Qur’anic Verse
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى:
كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ...
(Surah Āl ʿImrān, 3:185)
❀ “Every soul shall taste death, and you will only be given your full compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So whoever is saved from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has indeed triumphed. And the life of this world is but the enjoyment of deception.”
Hadith 24
عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُمَا قَالَ:
أَخَذَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ بِمَنْكِبَيَّ فَقَالَ: كُنْ فِي الدُّنْيَا كَأَنَّكَ غَرِيبٌ أَوْ عَابِرُ سَبِيلٍ...
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī no. 6414)
❀ “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ took hold of my shoulders and said, ‘Be in this world as though you were a stranger or a traveler.’ Ibn ʿUmar used to say: ‘When you reach the evening, do not expect to see the morning; and when you reach the morning, do not expect to see the evening. Take advantage of your health before your sickness and your life before your death.’”
Hadith 25
عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ:
خَطَبَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ فَقَالَ: إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَيَّرَ عَبْدًا بَيْنَ الدُّنْيَا وَمَا عِنْدَهُ...
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī no. 466)
❀ “The Prophet ﷺ said: ‘Allah gave a servant the choice between the world and what is with Him, and he chose what is with Allah.’ Abu Bakr began to weep... The Prophet ﷺ said: ‘O Abu Bakr, do not weep! The most secure of all people regarding my companionship and wealth is Abu Bakr. If I were to take anyone as an intimate friend other than my Lord, I would have taken Abu Bakr — but the bond of brotherhood in Islam remains.’”
The Souls of the Believer and the Disbeliever after Death
Hadith 26
عَنْ الْبَرَاءِ بْنِ عَازِبٍ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ:
(Musnad Aḥmad 4/278; al-Ḥākim 1/37 — graded ṣaḥīḥ)
❀ “When the disbelieving servant is at the point of leaving this world and entering the Hereafter, angels with dark faces descend upon him with coarse cloths (from Hell). They sit as far as the eye can see. Then the Angel of Death comes and says: ‘O vile soul! Come out to the wrath and anger of Allah.’ The soul disperses in the body, and he pulls it out as a skewer is pulled from wet wool...”
(Full detailed narration continues describing how the disbeliever’s soul is rejected by the heavens and cast down to the lowest earth.)
The Comfort of the Disbelievers
Hadith 27
عَنْ عُمَرَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ:
دَخَلْتُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَهُوَ مُضْطَجِعٌ عَلَى حَصِيرٍ، وَتَحْتَ رَأْسِهِ وِسَادَةٌ مِنْ أَدَمٍ حَشْوُهَا لِيفٌ...
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Ṭalāq, no. 3691)
❀ “I entered upon the Messenger of Allah ﷺ while he was lying on a mat. A leather cushion filled with palm fiber was under his head. The mat had left marks on his blessed side. I looked around and saw only a handful of barley and a few leaves in one corner of the room. Seeing this, my eyes filled with tears. The Prophet ﷺ asked, ‘Why do you weep, O Ibn al-Khaṭṭāb?’ I said, ‘Why should I not weep? This mat has left marks on your side, and I see nothing in your house, yet Caesar and Chosroes live in luxury! You are the Messenger of Allah and His chosen one, yet this is your condition!’ He ﷺ said, ‘O Ibn al-Khaṭṭāb, are you not pleased that for us is the Hereafter, and for them is the world?’ I said, ‘Indeed, O Messenger of Allah, I am pleased.’”
Detachment from the World
Hadith 28
عَنْ ابْنِ مَسْعُودٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ:
لَا تَتَّخِذُوا الضَّيْعَةَ فَتَرْغَبُوا فِي الدُّنْيَا
(Jāmi‘ al-Tirmidhī no. 2328; Musnad Aḥmad 1/377; Ṣaḥīḥah no. 12)
❀ “Do not acquire worldly estates in such a way that you become attached to the world.”
The Value of the Hereafter Compared to the World
Hadith 29
عَنْ سَهْلٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ يَقُولُ:
مَوْضِعُ سَوْطٍ فِي الْجَنَّةِ خَيْرٌ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا وَمَا فِيهَا...
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Riqāq, no. 6415)
❀ “A space in Paradise equal to the width of a whip is better than the world and everything in it. And a morning or evening spent in the path of Allah is better than the world and whatever it contains.”
Longing and Endless Hopes
Hadith 30
عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ:
خَطَّ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ خَطًّا مُرَبَّعًا...
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī no. 6417)
❀ “The Prophet ﷺ drew a square, then a line extending beyond it, and many small lines on the sides. He said: ‘This is man, and this (square) is his appointed time enclosing him. The line extending beyond it is his hope, and the small lines are his trials and afflictions. If one misses him, another will strike him.’”
The Heart of the Elder Remains Attached to the World
Hadith 31
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ:
لَا يَزَالُ قَلْبُ الْكَبِيرِ شَابًّا فِي اثْنَتَيْنِ: فِي حُبِّ الدُّنْيَا وَطُولِ الْأَمَلِ
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī no. 6420)
❀ “The heart of an old man remains young in two things — love for the world and long hopes.”
The Sufferings of the Companions and the Simplicity of Life
Hadith 32
عَنْ قَيْسٍ قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ خَبَّابًا يَقُولُ...
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī no. 6430)
❀ “Khabāb رضي الله عنه said: Had the Messenger of Allah ﷺ not forbidden us from praying for death, I would have prayed for it. The companions of Muhammad ﷺ have gone, and the world did not decrease their reward. But we have been given of the world that for which we find no place except the earth (i.e., the grave).”
The Departure of the Righteous
Hadith 33
عَنْ مِرْدَاسٍ الْأَسْلَمِيِّ قَالَ: قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ:
يَذْهَبُ الصَّالِحُونَ الْأَوَّلَ فَالْأَوَّلَ، وَيَبْقَى حُفَالَةٌ كَحُفَالَةِ الشَّعِيرِ أَوِ التَّمْرِ، لَا يُبَالِيهِمُ اللَّهُ بَالَةً
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī no. 6434)
❀ “The righteous will pass away one after another, leaving behind worthless remnants like the refuse of barley or dates — Allah will not care for them at all.”
True Ownership of Wealth
Hadith 34
عَنْ مُطَرِّفٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ قَالَ:
أَتَيْتُ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ وَهُوَ يَقْرَأُ: ﴿أَلْهَاكُمُ التَّكَاثُرُ﴾...
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim no. 7420)
❀ “The Prophet ﷺ recited: ‘Competition in worldly increase diverts you.’ Then said: ‘The son of Adam says, “My wealth, my wealth.” But do you have of your wealth except what you eat and consume, what you wear and wear out, or what you give in charity and thus send ahead?’”
The World is Sweet and Green
Hadith 35
عَنْ خَوْلَةَ بِنْتِ قَيْسٍ امْرَأَةِ حَمْزَةَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ:
إِنَّ الدُّنْيَا خَضِرَةٌ حُلْوَةٌ، فَمَنْ أَخَذَهَا بِحَقِّهَا بُورِكَ لَهُ فِيهَا، وَرُبَّ مُتَخَوِّضٍ فِي مَالِ اللَّهِ وَمَالِ رَسُولِهِ لَيْسَ لَهُ إِلَّا النَّارُ
(Silsilah al-Ṣaḥīḥah no. 1592; Jāmi‘ al-Tirmidhī no. 2374; Musnad Aḥmad 6/364)
❀ “The world is sweet and green. Whoever takes from it rightfully will be blessed in it, but whoever takes it wrongfully, he will find nothing but the Fire on the Day he meets Allah.”
Balance in Seeking Worldly Provisions
Qur’anic Verse
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى:
فَإِذَا قَضَيْتُمْ مَنَاسِكَكُمْ فَاذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ...
(Surah al-Baqarah, 2:200–202)
❀ “There are some who say: ‘Our Lord, give us in this world,’ but they will have no share in the Hereafter. And some who say: ‘Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter and protect us from the torment of the Fire.’ Those will have a share of what they have earned, and Allah is swift in account.”
Hadith 36
عَنْ أَبِي حُمَيْدٍ السَّاعِدِيِّ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ:
أَجْمِلُوا فِي طَلَبِ الدُّنْيَا، فَإِنَّ كُلًّا مُيَسَّرٌ لِمَا خُلِقَ لَهُ
(Silsilah al-Ṣaḥīḥah no. 898; Sunan Ibn Mājah no. 2142)
❀ “Be moderate in seeking your livelihood, for every person will be facilitated toward that for which he was created.”
Detachment from the World Brings the Love of Allah
Hadith 37
عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ سَعْدٍ السَّاعِدِيِّ قَالَ:
أَتَى النَّبِيَّ ﷺ رَجُلٌ فَقَالَ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، دُلَّنِي عَلَى عَمَلٍ إِذَا عَمِلْتُهُ أَحَبَّنِي اللَّهُ وَأَحَبَّنِي النَّاسُ...
(Silsilah al-Ṣaḥīḥah no. 944; Ibn Mājah no. 4102)
❀ “A man came to the Prophet ﷺ and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, tell me of a deed which, if I do it, Allah will love me and people will love me.’ He said: ‘Detach yourself from the world and Allah will love you; detach yourself from what people possess and people will love you.’”
Conclusion
These sacred narrations illuminate that the true believer’s heart is never captivated by the world’s allure. The world is fleeting, a temporary lodging for those passing by — its sweetness deceives many, while its trials awaken the wise.
He who seeks the pleasure of Allah and the eternal Hereafter finds contentment in simplicity and gratitude, while he who chases worldly desires loses both peace and purpose.
May Allah سبحانه وتعالى grant us the wisdom to value the Hereafter over this world, to remain moderate in our pursuits, and to live with hearts detached from material illusion yet devoted to His remembrance and service.
اللهم آمين
