The World and Its Truths from the Perspective of Sunnah
In fact, the holy life of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and his teachings and guidance (collectively known as Hadith and Sunnah) provide a suitable and constructive environment for religion in which the seedling of faith will always remain green, fresh, and fruitful. Religion is not merely a set of dry moral laws and regulations; it cannot thrive without feelings, events, and practical examples.
The best and most documented set of these feelings, events, and practical examples belongs to the noble essence of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and has been passed down from him. The societies of Judaism, Christianity, and other Asian religions declined quickly due to the absence of a documented and inspiring record of the lives and words of their prophets. They were deprived of the intellectual and external environment that supports the growth of their followers and enables them to combat atheism and materialism.
Praise be to Allah, our Prophet (peace be upon him) has left special guidelines and insights for the Ummah in every aspect of life. If a person follows these guidelines, he will undoubtedly be able to resist the temptations and intrigues of the ego and Satan and attain the shining peak of success. Among the valuable guidelines that our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) has emphasized is the notion of the world and its deceptions. Numerous hadiths have been narrated that effectively foster internal transformation and redirect human life towards the Hereafter. Below are some of these hadiths along with their explanations:
1. Illustration of This World and the Hereafter
عن مُسْتَوْرِد بن شداد قال: سمعت رَسُولَ اللهِ صلی‌الله‌علیه‌وسلم: «وَاللهِ مَا الدُّنْيَا فِي الْآخِرَةِ إِلَّا مِثْلُ مَا يَجْعَلُ أَحَدُكُمْ” إِصْبَعَهُ هَذِهِ – وَأَشَارَ يَحْيَى بِالسَّبَّابَةِ – فِي الْيَمِّ، فَلْيَنْظُرْ بِمَ تَرْجِعُ»؛[1]” Hazrat Mustawrid bin Shaddad narrated that he heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) say: “By Allah, the world compared to the Hereafter is like one of you dipping his finger in the sea and then looking at how much water his finger has collected!”
If someone dips his finger into the sea and pulls it out, he will see that only a drop of water remains on his finger. This example clearly illustrates that, compared to the greatness and endless blessings of the Hereafter, the world and all its pleasures are as insignificant as a drop of water compared to the ocean.
Mullah Ali Qari (may Allah have mercy on him) writes: The essence of this hadith is that a person should neither be proud of the fleeting comforts and blessings of the world nor lament its hardships and problems. Rather, he should express gratitude as the Prophet (PBUH) taught: “O Allah! The real life is the life of the Hereafter.”
It should always be in the mind of man that this world is the field for the Hereafter and that life here is merely a brief opportunity to sow the seeds for eternity. Therefore, instead of being overwhelmed by the temporary pleasures of this world, one should focus on the lofty goal of pleasing Allah.
2. The World is Worthless
وَعَنْ جَابِرٍ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلی‌الله‌علیه‌وسلم مَرَّ بِجَدْيٍ أَسَكَّ مَيِّتٍ. قَالَ: «أَيُّكُمْ يُحِبُّ أَنْ يَكُونَ هَذَا لَهُ بِدِرْهَمٍ؟» فَقَالُوا: مَا” نُحِبُّ أَنَّهُ لَنَا بِشَيْءٍ. قَالَ: «فَوَاللَّهِ، لَلدُّنْيَا أَهْوَنُ عَلَى اللَّهِ مِنْ هَذَا عَلَيْكُمْ»؛[3] “It has been narrated from Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) passed by a dead, earless goat and said: “Which one of you would be willing to buy this dead goat for a dirham?” The Sahaba replied: “We would not want this even for free.” The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) then said: “By Allah, the world (with all its pleasures and comforts) is less valuable to Allah than this goat is to you!”
With this example, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) drew attention to the fact that the world, with all its pleasures and fleeting beauties, should never cause a person to forget the Hereafter.
Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) stated: “Love of the world is the root of all sins.”
Mawlana Jalaluddin Rumi also beautifully expressed this truth:
“The world is nothing and the people of the world are all nothing. Nothing is for nothing.
Do you know what remains after life? It is love and affection, and the rest is nothing.”
3. The World: The Believer’s Prison and the Disbeliever’s Paradise
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “The world is the believer’s prison and the disbeliever’s paradise.”
The defining characteristic of a prison is that the prisoner does not have complete control over his life; he is subject to the orders of others in all matters. He cannot refuse or object to food, water, or other necessities, and he is forced to act against his will. Furthermore, a prisoner does not love the prison and does not consider it his eternal home — he always longs for freedom and to be released. Conversely, Paradise is a realm without restrictions for its inhabitants. Each person in Paradise lives according to his desires and wishes, and every desire is fulfilled. Even after millions of years, those in Paradise never tire of its blessings or wish to leave.
However, the world is a paradise for the disbeliever. They summarize the purpose of life in obtaining worldly pleasures and expend all their efforts to gather material wealth. They become so consumed by the joys of this world that it becomes a place of enjoyment for them, and they cannot bear the thought of leaving it.
4. The World is Worthless Compared to the Wing of a Mosquito
Sahl ibn Sa’ad narrated that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “If the world were worth as much as the wing of a mosquito in the sight of Allah, He would not give a disbeliever a drink of water from it.”
This hadith emphasizes the world’s insignificance in Allah’s sight — it is valued less than a mosquito’s wing. Allah Almighty has made the world accessible to disbelievers as a reflection of its worthlessness, while the blessings of the Hereafter, which hold true value, are reserved for believers.
As a poet beautifully composed:
“O my friend! Do not take pride in these few blessings of this world, for life will one day come to an end, and the pleasures of this world will be taken from you. So when you carry a funeral to the grave, remember that you too will one day be carried away like it.”
5. The Curtain of Paradise and Hell
It is narrated from Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “Hell is veiled by pleasures and desires, while Paradise is veiled by hardships and difficulties.”
This hadith indicates that the path to Paradise is paved with challenges. Performing acts of obedience, worship, and avoiding sensual pleasures and desires acts as a curtain that must be drawn aside to reach Paradise. Anyone wishing to enter Paradise must first endure these hardships and distance themselves from their own desires.
Conversely, sensual pleasures and desires act as a curtain that draws a person toward Hell. Those who remove this curtain by succumbing to their ego will ultimately fall into Hell.
Mawlana Rumi beautifully expressed this truth:
“This world is a prison, and we are the prisoners; dig a hole in the prison and free yourself.”
