Living Islam

Live in this world as if you are a stranger or a traveller who is just passing through.


A western thinker said: ‘ It is possible for you, while you are behind steel bars, to look out upon the horizon and to smell roses. It is also possible for you to be in a castle replete with opulence and comfort and yet be angry and discontented with your family and wealth.”


So, happiness is not determined by time or by place, but instead by faith in Allah and obedience to Him.The heart has a far-reaching significance in that it is the place that Allah looks at and scrutinizes.


Ahmad ibn Hanbal (RA) was a venerable scholar and a prolific compiler of Hadith. He lived a productive life, yet he was not rich. His garment was patched in many places and every time it tore again, he would sew it himself. He lived in a three-room structure made of mud. Often, all he could find to eat was a piece of bread. And his biographers mention that he had the same shoes for 17 years and he would often patch them up or sew them if there was a tear. Meat would find its way to his plate only once a month and on most days he fasted. He journeyed throughout the lands seeking out Hadiths. Yet, despite all of the hardships he had to bear, he was contented, comfortable and serene, qualities that can be attributed to his fortitude, to his knowing his goal and final destination, to his seeking reward from Allah and to his striving after the Hereafter and Paradise.


On the other hand, the rulers of his time such as Al-Mamoon, Al-Wathiq, Al-Mutasim and Al-Mutawakkil, all lived in castles. They owned hoards of gold and silver, an entire army was at their disposal and they had all that they desired. In spite of all their material wealth, they lived in turmoil and they spent their lives in anxiety and worry. Wars, uprisings and insurgencies brought them misery. In the records of history, we even find that many would renounce the world bitterly on their death-bed, feeling regretful for their extravagances on the one hand and for their shortcomings on the other.


Abu Dhar (RA) was a companion of the Prophet (Pbuh) known for his simple lifestyle. Taking with him, his wife and children, he left the city and settled in an isolated location. After setting up his tent, most of his days were spent chiefly in worship, recitation of the Quran and reflection. Most days, he fasted. His worldly possessions were limited to a tent, some sheep and a few other trifling things. Some friends visited him once and they asked, “where is the world(i.e. where are the material things that others have)? He said, “ In my house is all that I need from this world, and the Prophet (Pbuh) informed us that in front of us is an unsurmountable obstacle (i.e. on the Day of Judgement), and no one will pass it safely, except for the one who has a light load.” Despite living a life of penury, he had all that he needed from this world. As for superfluous possessions, he felt that they would divert him from his main purpose and would only cause him worry.


What then is happiness?

Live in this world as if you are a stranger or a traveller who is just passing through.”

Ibn Abbaas (RA) said:

“If Allah removes the light from my eyes, My heart and ears still have in them light. My heart is intelligent and my mind is not crooked, And my tongue is sharp like a warrior’s sword.” When harm befalls you, perhaps there is a benefit that comes with it that you cannot perceive.



Bashar ibn Burd (RA) said:

“ My enemies disparage me, and the defect is in them, It is not a disgrace to be called defective. If a person can see gallantry and truth, Blindness in the eyes will not be a hindrance. In blindness I see rewards, savings and protection, And for these three, I am most needy.

The believer knows that this world is only temporary, that its luxuries are few, and that whatever pleasures exist here are always imperfect. If it causes a little laughter, it gives many reasons to weep, if it gives a little, it withholds far more. The believer is only detained here, as the Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) said: “This world is the prison of the believer and the paradise of the unbeliever.”


This world is also fatigue, pain, misery and suffering, so the believer feels relief when he departs from it. Abu Qutadah ibn Rib’i al-Ansari used to say that a funeral passed the Messenger of Allah and he said: “He is now relieved, and people feel relieved of him.” The people asked, “O Messenger of Allah, how can he be relieved and people feel relieved of him?” He said, “The believing slave (who dies) is relieved of the fatigue and pain of this world and has gone to the mercy of Allah, when the rebellious slave dies, people, land, trees and animals are relieved of him.”


This understanding of the reality of this world makes it easier for the believer to bear afflictions, pains, distress and anxiety, because he knows that they are an inevitable part of the nature of this life.

(Source: “Dealing with Worries and Stress” by Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid)