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Ad-Dunya; This World - By Shaykh Ashraf Salah
Ad-Dunya; This World
By Shaykh Ashraf Salah
Dear Muslims
The word dunya comes from danaa. This root word has two
meanings: near and lowly. This life has been called al-hayaat ud-dunya
because it is the near (or "nearest"), the apparent and the current
existence which we know and also because it is lesser, despicable and
superficial in comparison to the real life in the hereafter
Ad-Dunya is the place
that contains all the objects of desire of the human nafs (person) in
this life. It is in reality a mere transition or place of passing and has
no permanence or lasting meaning. The life of this world and all that is
in it is like the beautiful plants or crops which impress those who look on
them but which shortly are turned into dead leaves and dust blown about by the
wind. The Prophet (PBUH) said
"This life in
comparison to the life hereafter is nothing except like that which one of you
finds if he sticks his finger into the ocean and then sees what it brings back
with it". (Muslim).
Dear Muslims
The life of this world has been made
attractive and desireable to mankind. Unlike some other religions,
Islam does not negate this love nor deem it as inherently evil. Rather,
they are natural desires which Allah (SWT) created in us and only need to be
channeled into what Allah (SWT) has allowed or encouraged and not allowed to
control our actions and beliefs in disobedience to Allah (SWT). So this life is
a temporary place of testing which determines our permenant condition in the
life hereafter. The Prophet (PBUH) said
"Surely, this dunya
is sweet and fresh. And Allah (SWT) makes you the heirs of it and then
watches what you do. So beware of this dunya and beware regarding
women." (Muslim).
A Muslim is not ordered to turn his back on the things of this life.
Rather, a Muslim is commanded to seek, exploit and use these things in
obedience to Allah (SWT) and in furthering the cause of raising Allah's religion
in the land. A Muslim should SEEK his portion of the things of this life
and seek to use them in obedience to Allah (SWT). There is not order to turn
away form such things simply because they are "wordly". Allah
(SWT) said:
{And seek with that which
Allah has given you the realm of the hereafter and do not neglect your portion
in this life. And be gracious as Allah has been gracious to you. And do not
seek corruption in the land for Allah does not love the corrupters}. (Al-Qasas:77).
Dear Brothers
And Sisters In Islam
As we indulge in the pleasures of this world - within the bounds
established by Allah (SWT) - we must never forget its "lowliness" in
comparison with the provision of Allah (SWT) in the hereafter to those of His
slaves who were obedient in this "place of passing". Allah
(SWT) said:
{This has been made
beautiful to people: the love of the desires such as women, sons, piled up
heaps of gold and silver, branded horses, cattle and land. That is the
provision of this life but with Allah is the best place of return}.
(Aal-'Imran:14).
Allah (SWT) did not negate the love of
mankind for these things nor is it regarded as an innate evil - the test is in
what we do with them. Will we indulge in them in obedience to Allah (SWT)
and thereby transform mere pleasures and indulgences into worship of our
Lord? Or will we become slaves to the objects of our desires turning all
of our pleasures in this world into disobedience and rebellion against Allah
(SWT)? The Prophet (PBUH) knew that this nation would experience plenty
and riches after him and feared for us with regard to this test more than he
feared for us from the test of poverty and deprivation. He (PBUH) said:
"One of the things
from which I fear for you after me is that which will be given to you from the
flowers of this dunya and its ornaments". (Muslim &
Bukhari).
Dear Muslims
Allah (SWT) also warned us in the Holy Qur'an about allowing the dunya
to lead us instead of us using it in obedience to Him:
{O people! The
promise of Allah is surely true so do not let the life of this world deceive
you nor be deceived by the Deceiver}. (Fatir:5).
The meaning of not letting the life of this world deceive you is to not
allow it to distract you and draw you away from worship and obedience to Allah
(SWT). The meaning of being deceived by the Deceiver (Shaitaan and his forces)
is explained by Ash-Shawkaani like this:
"...let not Shaitaan
deceive you with regard to Allah (SWT) by saying to you: "Allah will
overlook this for you and will forgive you because you are a good person or
because of His great mercy upon you [and so you no longer hesitate in
disobeying Allah]."
So, when the desires of this world are
tempting us to neglect obedience to Allah (SWT) and to follow them instead of
Him (SWT), we should remember the lowliness of this life and its insignificance
in comparison to the life hereafter except as a testing ground where Allah
(SWT) watches what we do. Other than that, this life is composed mostly
of foolishness and wasted time. Allah (SWT) said:
{And the life of this
world is nothing but frivolity and playing while the realm of the hereafter is
the true life if they only knew.} (Al-'Ankabut:64).
Dear Muslims
The only good that we can get out of this life is whatever obedience
and worship we can offer to Allah (SWT) while we are here. Of utmost
importance in this regard is learning our religion and teaching what we have
learned to others along with calling others to enter into submission and
practice of Islam. The Prophet (PBUH) said:
"Verily this dunya
is cursed and all that is in it is cursed except for the remembrance of Allah
(SWT) and all that goes with it and a scholar or a student." (At-Tirmidhi).
Dear Brothers
And Sisters In Islam
The most important thing to realize here is that the human heart by
nature is a slave to something. If that slavery ('uboodiya) is not
directed to Allah (SWT), then it will surely find something else to which to
attach itself. Also, all might and greatness is derived from Allah's
might and greatness so whoever is not attached to Allah (SWT) will be pathetic
and weak even in this life and especially in the hereafter. Al-Imam
Ash-Shafi'iy said:
"Whoever is overcome by the intensity of his desires
because of love of this life will of necessity become enslaved to its people.
And whoever is content by being satisfied with little, will find the
humiliation lifted from him."
(May Allah (SWT) make us sincere slaves for Him alone, bless, and
forgive us all (Ameen
