Bismillahi Wal Hamdullillah Was Salaatu Was Salaamu ‘Alaa Rasoolillah

Ammaa Ba’d:

Indeed the messenger of Allah – Sallallahu alaihi was Salam – mentioned the reality of the dunya in many Ahaadeeth.

He informed us of the the fact that the dunya is of no value with Allah, in fact he likened it to the most despicable of affairs. Consider the following hadeeth:

Upon the authority of Dahaak ibn Sufyaan – Radhiyallahu Anhu – who said that the messenger of Allah – Sallallahu Alaihi wa Salam – said to him:” Oh Dahhaak! What is your food? He responded: “Oh Messenger of Allah! Meat and Milk! He said: “Then what happens to it? He said: it becomes that which you know! He said “Indeed Allah has made that which is excreted by the son of Aadam, as an example of the Dunya”

(Collected by Imaam Ahmad in hid ‘Musnad’ and declared ‘Hasan’ By Shaikh Al Albaani in Saheeh Jaami’us Sagheer (1739))

Upon the authority of Salmaan Al Faarisi – Radhiyallahu Anhu who said: A people came to the Messenger of Allah – Sallallahu Alaihi was Salam and he said to them: “Do you have food? They responded ‘Yes!’ He said: “And do you have drink?” They replied ‘Yes!’ then he said: “And you choose and select it (ie your food)? They said : ‘Yes!’ he said: “And you cool it (i.e. your drink) they said Yes! He said “Indeed the outcome of the dunya is like the end result of both of them! (I.e human waste) One of you stands behind his house (After answering the call of nature) and holds his nose from the foul smell”

(Collected by Imaamut Tabaraani in ‘Mu’jamul Kabeer’ (6119) and declared ‘Saheeh by Shaikh Al Albaani in ‘Silsilatul Ahaadeethus Saheehah’ (382))

Thus just as one is meticulous about choosing and selecting his food, and cooling his beverage, the son of Aadam is the same with the affairs of his dunya, while the outcome of both are the same!

In fact the messenger – Sallallahu alaihi wa salam – likened the dunya to animal waste!

Upon the authority of Abu Sa’eed Al Khudhri Radhiyallahu ‘anhu who said: the Messenger of Allah – Sallallahu Alaihi Was Sallam – stood on an occasion and addressed the people saying: “No! By Allah I do not fear for you Oh people except that which Allah brings forth for you from the glitter of the dunya” So a man said: “Oh Messenger of Allah! Does good bring about evil? So the Messenger of Allah remained silent for a period then he said: “What did you say?” So he said: “Does good bring about evil? So the Messenger of Allah – Sallallahu alaihi was Salam said: “Indeed good does not bring about except good, but is it good? (Then he continued): “Every time the spring brings forth vegetation, there are livestock that die from it due to excessive over consumption or come near to death. Except for the one that eats greenery until its stomach is full, then it lies on its side looking at the sun, it defecates, urinates, regurgitates its food and continues chewing. Thus whosoever consumes wealth with its due right, then Allah will place blessings therein. While the one who consumes wealth without due right, then he is like the one that eats but does not become satisfied”

(Collected by Bukhaari (2842, 6432) and Muslim (2468))

Al Haafidh ibn Hajr mentions concerning the hadeeth: “In the hadeeth there are a number of amazing comparisons:

The first of them: Likening wealth and its increase with vegetation and its appearance and growth

Secondly: Resembling the one who is engrossed in gathering the dunya and its means with cattle engrossed in gather in consuming vegetation

Thirdly: Resembling the one who amounts it plentifully and stores it, with the worse type of animal as it relates to eating and filling his stomach

(Fathul Baari 11/248)

Not to mention the fact that the Messenger – Sallallahu Alaihi Was Salam – resembled the outcome of the dunya to that which is ultimately excreted by the same animal!

That which remains from the dunya

As far that which remains from the dunya then the prophet _Sallallahu Alaihi Was Salam informed us of the following:

Upon the authority of Ibn Umar – Radhiyallahu Anhu – said: “We were sitting with the Prophet – Sallallahu Alaihi Was Salam and the sun was upon Qu’ayqi’aan (A well-known mountain in Makkah) after asr (i.e. descending to set) so he said: The lifespan of your Ummah in comparison to the lifespan of the previous nations is not except like that which remains of the rest of this day in comparison to that which has past of it”

(Collected by Ahmad in his Musnad 2/114 and its isnaad is declared ‘Saheeh’ By Shaikh Ahmad Shaakir)

Upon the authority of Ibn Mas’ood – Radhiyallahu anhu – who said the Messenger of Allah – Sallallahu Alaihi Was Salam said: “Indeed Allah has made the lifespan of the dunya short, and that which remains of it, is a small portion of something short. The example of that which remains of it is like a small pond that has had the best of its water consumed and nothing remains of it but muddy dregs”

(Collected by Haakim (7904) and declared ‘Saheeh’ by shaikh Al Albaani in As Saheehah (1625))

May Allah grant us aid in that which remains for each individual from among us of it.

Wa Sallallahu Alaa Nabeyyinaa Muhammad

Abu Hakeem

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