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Thread: A summary of my dars on hadith no 40 “Be in the World as if you were a stranger or a traveler along a path”
This hadith was narrated by Abdullah bin Umar (RA) who was amongst the young companions of the Prophet SAW. This speaks volume of how the Prophet took special care in teaching the younger Companions.
The Prophet SAW nurtured these young Companions (RA) upon clear teachings of Islam deeply rooted in Tauheed and true understanding of the nature of this transient world. He wanted them to develop and grow up in the shade of that wonderful message.
It was like an immunization against potential spiritual viruses. At young age, the Prophet SAW nurtured them upon the fundamentals of Islam, such that in later part of their lives they would have been immune against spiritual viruses.
Parents have the responsibility of raising their children upon sound Islamic teachings otherwise, they will lose the future generation to many spiritual viruses that breaks down the spiritual immune system completely, more than HIV. May Allaah protect us and our children
When the younger generation is adequately nurtured upon sound Islamic teachings, they will play a great role in the preservation and propagation of Islam. May Allaah make us among them.
In this hadith, the Prophet SAW, was telling ibn Umar (RA) how he should be with respect to this world. In a subtle and clear manner, the Prophet SAW wanted him and nay, the entire Muslim world to know the reality of this world, how lowly it is.
To be continued in shaa Allaah
The hadith in question is a clear indication that a true believer does not put his aspirations and heart into this world. As I do normally say, the Companions had their gaze fixed on Akhira (Hereafter).
Once a believer attains this level of commitment to the Hereafter, anything of this world becomes insignificant to him, if he loses out on his material quest, he still bonds with Allaah. He tends to have a stable emotional state.
An unbeliever on the other hand, tends to be suicidal when he faces difficulty in this life or when his material empire crumbles because he has nothing to look forward to beyond the tangible things of this worldly life.
During the famous stock market crash of 1929, many Americans and others throughout the world committed suicide as their whole world---everything and all that they had lived for --- came crumbling down around them.
He who wishes to become detached from this worldly life, should seek to understand the reality of this world, as explained in the Qur'an and sunnah. Many are so much attached to this worldly life that they only tend to realize the reality of life when death hits them.
Allaah, the Exalted, says: "The mutual rivalry (for piling up of worldly things) diverts you, Until you visit the graves (till you die). Nay! You shall come to know! Again, Nay! You shall come to know!" Qur'an 102: 1-4
"The Arabic word al-dunya, linguistically comes from a root meaning both closeness and something despicable or lowly. This world is (daneeah) in comparison to the Hereafter." Shaykh Uthaymeen Sharh Riyaadh
Whoever understands the reality of this world, will definitely live in it like a stranger or a traveller.
"Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children - like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers;
"....then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris. And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and approval. And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion." Qur'an 57:20
"And the life of this world is nothing but play and amusement. But far better is the house in the Hereafter for those who are Al-Muttaqun (the pious). Will you not then understand?" Qur'an 6:32
"And this life of the world is only amusement and play! Verily, the home of the Hereafter, that is the life indeed (i.e. the eternal life that will never end), if they but knew." Qur'an 29:64
Those who allow themselves to be occupied with play, amusement and diversion have no real purposes in life because all of these things will not benefit them in the Hereafter.
Whoever is aware of the dangers and the trials that the alluring, attractive and beautiful nature of the world can present to his religion and relationship with Allaah, the world would become displeasing to him and he would rather focus on the Hereafter.
How many people have killed others for a position they contested for and now they themselves are not anywhere close to that position because their time and tenure has expired!
How many were once upon a time Presidents but cannot sit at the seat of the Presdient today? This is Dunya!
How many were very powerful before but today have become so weak ? This is dunya!
How many lived in affluence before but today would appreciate a a simple gesture of a gift of a bag of rice because they cannot afford it now!
You keep malice with others for no justify reason and you leave this world without having to reconcile your differences for the sake of Allaah, what would that malice benefit you with in the grave and how would it affect the living? Be like a stranger in this world
How many have looked down on others but now those others are far more blessed than they ever were? This is dunya, follow it with caution
"But you prefer the worldly life while the Hereafter is better and more lasting." Qur'an 87:16-17
This world can be so tempting and deceiving that a person forgets the main purpose of his creation.
Who compromise on our religion for uncertainties - what if in the future, I want to travel and I'm denied a VISA - what if I want to do business and I get tagged as a religiously committed individual? All these are uncertainties, but death an absolute certainty.
Allaah, the Exalted, says: "O mankind, indeed the promise of Allaah is true, so let not the worldly life delude you and be not deceived about Allaah by the deceiver (Satan)." Qur'an 35: 5
"If this worldly life were equivalent in Allaah's sight to even a wing of a mosquito, He would not have given a disbeliever even a drink of water in it." Saheeh al-Jaami vol 2/937
Jama'ah mu bi dunya a hankali, kar ta kai mu ta baro....
To be continued in shaa Allaah.
I begin with the Name of Allaah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
"But you prefer the worldly life while the Hereafter I'd better and more lasting." Al-'Alaa 16-17
This world can get the person so engrossed that he forgets through Hereafter. He gets deceived into believing that the goals of this life are worth living for even if it means that our neglects his duties toward Allaah.
"By Allaah, it is not poverty that I fear for you. But I fear that this world will be spread out for u (and given to u in abundance) as it was spread out for the peoples b4 you, and then u will compete in it as they competed in it&it will destroy you as it destroyed them." Hadith
"This world is a prison for the believer and a paradise for the disbeliever." Recorded by Muslim
Seek the company of those people who are working for the Hereafter. Be with them and be patient over the trials, sacrifices and difficulties of this world. The real life is the life of the Hereafter.
As for those who only work for this life and follow their lusts and desires, they will be in great loss.
"And keep yourself (O Muhammad) patiently with those who call on their Lord morning and afternoon, seeking His countenance, and let not your eyes overlook them, desiring the pomp and glitter of the life of the world; and obey not him whose heart We have made heedless..'Q17:28-29
Saeed ibn Jubair said, "The deceiving pleasures and possessions are those that divert you from seeking the Hereafter." Tazkiyah an-Nufoos
Yahya ibn Muaadh said: “How can I not love this world? Decreed for me in it is the food by which I acquire life, by which I achieve acts of obedience and by which I attain paradise.” Tazkiyah al-Nufoos
Sometimes poverty or being poor allows one to be closer to following the truth than being rich. Throughout history, most of the people who rejected the messengers were the rich and arrogant.
