Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

712 - التَّحذيرُ مِن غُرورِ الدُّنيا

712 WARNING AGAINST THE DECEPTION of the World

(زُيِّنَ لِلنّاسِ حُبُّ الشَّهَوَاتِ مِنَ النِّساءِ والْبَنينَ والْقَناطِيرِ الْمُقَنْطَرَةِ مِنَ الذَّهَبِ والْفِضَّةِ والْخَيْلِ الْمُسَوَّمَةِ والْأنْعامِ والْحَرْثِ ذلِكَ مَتاعُ الْحَياةِ الدُّنْيا واللَّهُ عِنْدَهُ حُسْنُ الْمآب)1

“To mankind has been made to seem decorous the love of [worldly] desires, including women and children, accumulated piles of gold and silver, horses of mark, livestock and farms. Those are the wares of the life of this world; but Allah - with Him is a good destination.” 2

(فَلا تَغُرَّنَّكُمُ الْحَياةُ الدُّنْيا وَلا يَغُرَّنَّكُمْ بِاللَّهِ الْغَرُور)3

“So do not let the life of the world deceive you, nor let the Deceiver deceive you concerning Allah.” 4

2200. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : ألا وإنّ الدنيا دارٌ غَرّارةٌ خَدّاعةٌ ، تَنكِحُ في كلِّ يومٍ بَعْلاً ، وتَقتُلُ في كلِّ ليلةٍ أهلاً ، وتُفَرِّقُ في كلِّ ساعةٍ شَملاً5

2200. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'Verily the world is a house of deception and deceit, it takes a spouse everyday, kills a family every night and splits up a group every hour.'6

2201. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : فلا يَغُرَّنَّكُم كَثرَةُ ما يُعجِبُكُم فيها لِقِلَّةِ ما يَصحَبُكُم مِنها7

2201. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'Do not allow the abundance of what amazes you in it to deceive you because it will be only a little that you take from it.'8

2202. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : غَرّارةٌ غَرورٌ ما فيها ، فانيةٌ فانٍ مَن علَيها، لا خَيرَ في شي‏ءٍ مِن أزوادِها إلّا التَّقوى‏9

2202. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'It is deceitful, and all that is in it is deceptive. It is perishable and all that is on it will perish. There is no good in any of its provisions except in piety and Godwariness.'10

2203. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : اُحَذِّرُكُمُ الدنيا ، فإنّها حُلوَةٌ خَضِرَةٌ حُفَّتْ بِالشَّهَواتِ11

2203. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'Beware of the world, for verily it appears sweet and green, surrounded by carnal and base desires.'12

2204. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : إحذَرُوا الدنيا ، فإنَّ في حلالِها حِساب[اً] ، وفي حَرامِها عقاب[اً] ، وأوّلُها عَناءٌ ، وآخِرُها فَناءٌ13

2204. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'Beware of the world, for verily with regards to its lawful things there is accountability and with regards to its unlawful things there is punishment, its beginning is hardship and its end is annihilation.'14

2205. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : اِحذَروا هَذِهِ الدنيا الخَدَّاعةَ الغَدّارةَ ، التي قد تَزَيّنَتْ بِحُلِيِّها ، وفَتَنَتْ بِغُرورِها... فأصبَحَتْ كالعَروسِ المَجْلُوَّةِ ، والعُيونُ إلَيها ناظِرَةٌ15

2205. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'Beware of this deceptive and deceitful world that has been beautified by its ornaments and has seduced through its delusions... such that it has become like an unveiled bride upon whom everyone's eyes are gazing.'16

2206. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : إحذَروا الدنيا ، فإنّها غَدّارةٌ غَرّارةٌ خَدُوعٌ ، مُعطِيَةٌ مَنوعٌ ، مُلبِسةٌ نَزُوعٌ17

2206. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'Beware of the world, for verily it is deceptive, delusive and deceitful, it is a giver that deprives, and one who clothes yet leaves you naked.'18

2207. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : اِحذَروا الدنيا ، فإنّها عَدُوّةُ أولياءِ اللَّهِ ، وعَدُوّةُ أعدائهِ ، أمّا أولياؤهُ فَغَمَّتهُم ، وأمّا أعداؤهُ فَغَرَّتهُم19

2207. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'Beware of the world, for verily it is the enemy of the friends of Allah and the enemy of His enemies too. As for the friends of Allah, it fills them with grief and as for Allah's enemies, it deludes them.'20

Notes

1. آل عمران : 14 .

2. Qur'an 3 :14

3. لقمان : 33 .

4. Qur'an 31 :33

5. الأمالي للطوسي : 685 / 1456 .

6. Nahj al-Saada, v. 3 , p. 174 , and Amali al-Tusi, p. 685 , no. 1456

7. بحار الأنوار : 73 / 118 / 109 .

8. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 73 , p. 118 , no. 109

9. نهج البلاغة : الخطبة 111 .

10. Nahj al-Balagha, Sermon 111

11. نهج البلاغة : الخطبة 111 .

12. Ibid. Sermon 111

13. بحار الأنوار : 78 / 23 / 88 .

14. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 78 , p. 23 , no. 88

15. بحار الأنوار : 73 / 108 / 109 .

16. Ibid. v. 73 , p. 108 , no. 109

17. نهج البلاغة : الخطبة 230 .

18. Nahj al-Balagha, Sermon 230

19. الأمالي للطوسي : 685 / 1456 .

20. Nahj al-Saada, v. 3 , p. 202 , and Amali al-Tusi, p. 685 , no. 1456

713 - إنَّما تَغُرُّ الدُّنيا الجاهِلَ‏

713 VERILY THE WORLD DECEIVES THE IGNORANT

2208. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : غُرّي يا دنيا مَن جَهِلَ حِيَلَكِ وخَفِيَ علَيهِ حبائلُ كَيدِكِ1

2208. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'O World, deceive those who are ignorant of your tricks and who are unaware of the snares of your sly deceptions.'2

2209. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : العاجِلَةُ غُرورُ الحَمقى‏3

2209. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'The transient world is the booty of the foolish.'4

2210. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : الفَرَحُ بالدُّنيا حُمقٌ5

2210. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'Being happy with the world is foolishness.'6

(اُنظر) الغرور : باب 1414

(See also: DELUSION: section 1414)

Notes

1. غرر الحكم : 6413 .

2. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 6413

3. غرر الحكم : 896 .

4. Ibid. no. 1110

5. غرر الحكم : 454 .

6. Ibid. no. 404

714 - التَّحذيرُ مِنَ الطُّمَأنينَةِ بِالدُّنيا

714 Warning against Being Satisfied with the World

(إنَّ الَّذِينَ لا يَرْجُونَ لِقَاءَنا وَرَضُوا بِالْحَياةِ الدُّنْيا واطْمَأَنّوا بِها والَّذِينَ هُمْ عَن آياتِنا غافِلُونَ * أُولئِكَ مَأوَاهُمُ النّارُ بِمَا كَانُوا يَكْسِبُونَ)1

“Indeed those who do not expect to encounter Us and who are pleased with the life of this world and satisfied with it, and those who are oblivious of Our signs - it is they whose refuge shall be the Fire because of what they used to earn.” 2

2211. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام - في قولهِ تعالى‏ : (وكانَ تَحتَهُ كَنْزٌ لَهُما)3 - : كانَ ذلكَ الكنزُ لَوحاً مِن ذهبٍ فيه مَكتوبٌ : عَجِبتُ لِمَن يَرَى الدنيا وتَصَرُّفَ أهلِها حالاً بعدَ حالٍ كيفَ يَطمئنُّ إلَيها؟!4

2211. Imam Ali (AS) with regards to Allah's verse:“Under it there was a treasure belonging to them” 5 , said, 'that (the treasure) was a golden tablet upon which was written... : I wonder at those who see the world and the fluctuating states that people experience, how can they be satisfied with it?'6

2212. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : اُنظُرُوا إلى الدنيا نَظَرَ الزاهدِينَ فيها ، فإنّها عَن قليلٍ تُزيلُ الساكنَ ، وتَفجَعُ المُترَفَ فلا تَغُرَّنّكُم كَثرَةُ ما يُعجِبُكُم فيها لِقلَّةِ ما يَصحَبُكُم مِنها7

2212. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'Look at the world through the eyes of those who have renounced it, for verily its inhabitants are quick to depart it and its opulence inflicts distress. So do not allow the abundance of what amazes you therein to deceive you, for it is but a little that you will take with you thereof.'8

2213. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : اُنظُرْ إلى الدنيا نَظَرَ الزاهدِ المُفارقِ ، ولا تَنظُرْ إلَيها نَظَرَ العاشِقِ الوامِقِ9

2213. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'View the world through the eyes of one who has renounced it and separated from it, and do not view it through the eyes of one who loves it passionately and tenderly.'10

2214. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : إن كانتِ الدنيا فانيَةً فالطُّمأنينَةُ إلَيها لِماذا ؟!11

2214. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'If this world is transient, then why be satisfied with it?'12

Notes

1. ي ونس : 7 و 8 .

2. Qur'an 10 :7-8

3. الكهف : 82 .

4. معاني الأخبار : 200 / 1 .

5. Qur'an 31 :33

6. Maani al-Akhbar, p. 200 , no. 1

7. بحار الأنوار : 78 / 20 / 79 .

8. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 78 , p. 20 , no. 79

9. غرر الحكم : 2386 .

10. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 2386

11. بحار الأنوار : 73 / 88 / 54 .

12. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 73 , p. 88 , no. 54

715 - خَطَرُ إيثارِ الدُّنيا

715 The Danger of Preferring THE WORLD [OVER THE HEREAFTER]

(فَأَمّا مَنْ طَغى‏ * وَآثَرَ الْحَياةَ الدُّنْيا * فَإنّ الْجَحِيمَ هِيَ الْمَأوى‏)1

“As for him who was rebellious and preferred the life of this world, his refuge will indeed be hell.” 2

2215. لقمانُ عليه السلام - لابنِهِ وهو يَعِظُهُ - : بِعْ دُنياكَ بِآخِرَتِكَ تَربَحْهُما جميعاً ، ولا تَبِعْ آخِرَتَكَ بدُنياكَ تَخْسَرهما جميعاً3

2215. Luqman (AS) said in counsel to his son, 'Sell your world for your Hereafter and you will attain both of them, but do not sell your Hereafter for your world for you will lose them both.'4

2216. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : مَن عَبَدَ الدنيا وآثَرَها على الآخرةِ استَوخَمَ العاقِبةَ5

2216. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'The one who worships the world and prefers it over the Hereafter seeks an unhealthy outcome.'6

2217. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : لا يَترُكُ الناسُ شيئاً مِن أمرِ دينِهِم لاستِصلاحِ دُنياهُم إلّا فَتَحَ اللَّهُ علَيهِم ما هو أضَرُّ مِنهُ7

2217. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'No sooner do people abandon an aspect of their religion in order to advance their worldly affairs than Allah will inflict them with something that is more detrimental than that.'8

(اُنظر) الآخرة : باب 17

(See also: THE HEREAFTER: section 17)

Notes

1. النازعات : 37 - 39 .

2. Qur'an, 79 :37-39

3. بحار الأنوار : 13 / 422 / 17 .

4. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 13 , p. 422 , no. 17

5. الخصال : 632 / 10 .

6. al-Khisal, p. 632 , no. 10

7. نهج البلاغة : الحكمة 106 .

8. Nahj al-Balagha, Saying 106

716 - الدُّنيا سِجنُ المُؤمِنِ‏

716 THE WORLD IS THE PRISON OF THE BELIEVER

2218. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : الدنيا لا تَصفو لِمُؤمنٍ ، كيفَ وهِي سِجنُهُ وبلاؤهُ ؟!1

2218. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'The world is not trouble-free for the believer, how can it be when it is his prison and his trial?'2

2219. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : الدنيا سِجنُ المؤمنِ والقَبرُ حِصنُهُ والجنّةُ مَأواهُ ، والدنيا جَنَّةُ الكافِرِ والقبرُ سِجنُهُ والنارُ مَأواهُ3

2219. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'The world is the prison of the believer, the grave is his fortress and Paradise is his final abode. The world is the Paradise of the disbeliever, the grave is his prison and the Fire is his final abode.'4

Notes

1. كنز العمّال : 6090 .

2. Kanz al-Ummal, no. 6090

3. الخصال : 108 / 74 .

4. al-Khisal, p. 108 , no. 74

717 - خَطَرُ جَعلِ الدُّنيا أكبَرَ الهُمومِ‏

717 The Danger of Making Worldly AFFAIRS ONE'S GREATEST CONCERN

2220. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : مَن كانَتِ الدنيا أكبرَ هَمِّهِ طالَ شَقاؤهُ وغَمُّهُ1

2220. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'The one who regards the worldly affairs as his greatest concern, his grief and distress are lengthened.'2

2221. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : مَن أصبَحَ وأمسى‏ والدنيا أكبَرُ هَمِّهِ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ تعالى الفَقرَ بينَ عَينَيهِ وشَتَّتَ أمرَهُ ولم يَنَلْ مِن الدنيا إلّا ما قَسَمَ اللَّهُ له ، ومَن أصبَحَ وأمسى‏ والآخرةُ أكبَرُ هَمِّهِ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ تعالى الغِنى‏ في قلبِهِ وجَمَعَ لَهُ أمرَهُ3

2221. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'The person who wakes up in the morning and retires at night having worldly affairs as his greatest concern, Allah places poverty between his eyes, scatters his affairs, and he will not take from this world except what Allah has apportioned for him. As for the one who wakes up in the morning and retires at night having the Hereafter as his greatest concern, Allah places needlessness in his heart and brings together his affairs for him.'4

Notes

1. بحار الأنوار : 73 / 81 / 43 .

2. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 73 , p. 81 , no. 43

3. الكافي : 2 / 319 / 15 .

4. al-Kafi, v. 2 , p. 319 , no. 15

718 - هَوانُ الدُّنيا عَلَى اللَّهِ‏

718 THE LOWLINESS OF THE WORLD IN ALLAH'S EYES

(وَلَوْلا أن يَكونَ النّاسُ أُمَّةً واحِدَةً لَجَعَلْنا لِمَنْ يَكْفُرُ بِالرَّحْمنِ لِبُيُوتِهم سُقُفاً مِنْ فِضَّةٍ وَ مَعَارِجَ عَلَيْهَا يَظْهَرُونَ وَ لِبُيُوتِهِمْ أَبْوَ بًا وَ سُرُرًا عَلَيْهَا يَتَّكُِونَ وَ زُخْرُفًا وَإنْ كُلُّ ذلِكَ لَمّا مَتاعُ الْحَياةِ الدُّنْيا والْآخِرَةُ عِنْدَ رَبِّكَ لِلْمُتَّقينَ)1

“Were it not [for the danger] that mankind would be one community, We would have surely made for those who defy the All-beneficent, silver roofs for their houses...yet all that would be nothing but the wares of the life of this world, and the Hereafter near your Lord is for the Godwary.” 2

2222. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : يقولُ اللَّهُ : لولا عَبدي المؤمنُ لَعَصَّبْتُ رأسَ الكافِرِ بعِصابةٍ مِن جَوهَرٍ3

2222. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'Allah says, 'Were it not for My believing servant, I would have tied a headband of jewels around the head of the disbeliever.'4

2223. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : لو أنّ الدنيا كانَت تَعدِلُ عند اللَّهِ عزّوجلّ جَناحَ بَعوضَةٍ ما سَقَى الكافِرَ والفاجرَ مِنها شَربَةً مِن ماءٍ5

2223. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'If the world was worth the same as the wing of a mosquito in Allah's eyes, the disbeliever and the insolent person would never get to drink a sip of water from it.'6

2224. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : مِن هَوانِ الدنيا على اللَّهِ أ نّهُ لا يُعصى‏ إلّا فيها ، ولا يُنالُ ما عندَهُ إلّا بتَركِها7

2224. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'The lowliness of the world in Allah's eyes can be seen by the fact that He is not disobeyed except in it, and what is with Him cannot be attained except by abandoning the world.'8

2225. الإمامُ الحسينُ عليه السلام : إنَّ مِن هَوانِ الدنيا على‏ اللَّه تعالى‏ أنَّ رَأسَ يحيى بنِ زكريّا اُهدِيَ إلى‏ بَغِيٍّ مِن بَغايا بني إسرائيلَ9

2225. Imam al-Husayn (AS) said, 'Verily the lowliness of this world in Allah's eyes can be seen by the fact that the head of Prophet John, son of Prophet Zacharias was gifted to a whore from the whores of the Israelites.'10

Notes

1. الزخرف : 33 - 35 .

2. Qur'an 43 :33-35

3. التمحيص : 47 / 73 .

4. al-Tamhis, p. 47 , no. 73

5. الأمالي للطوسي : 531 / 1162 .

6. Amali al-Tusi, p. 531 , no. 1162

7. نهج البلاغة : الحكمة 385 .

8. Nahj al-Balagha, Saying 385

9. بحار الأنوار : 44 / 365 .

10. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 44 , p. 365

719 - تَضادُّ الدُّنيا الذَّمِيمَةِ وَالآخِرَةِ

719 The Difference between THE CENSURED WORLD AND THE HEREAFTER

2226. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : مَن أحَبَّ دُنياهُ أضَرَّ بآخرَتِهِ1

2226. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'He who loves his world has harmed his Hereafter.'2

2227. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : إنَّ الدنيا والآخِرَةَ عَدُوّانِ مُتَفاوِتانِ ، وسَبيلانِ مُختَلِفانِ ، فَمَن أحَبَّ الدنيا وتَولَّاها أبغضَ الآخِرَةَ وعاداها ، وهُما بمَنزِلَةِ المَشرِقِ والمَغرِبِ وماشٍ بَينَهُما ، كُلَّما قَرُبَ مِن واحدٍ بَعُدَ مِنَ الآخَرِ ، وهُما بَعدُ ضَرَّتانِ3

2227. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'Verily the world and the Hereafter are two opposing enemies and two different paths, so whoever loves and befriends the world has despised the Hereafter and has made it his enemy. They [the world and the Hereafter] are like the east and the west and whoever walks between them, however much he gets closer to one, he distances himself from the other. After all, they are like two wives of the same husband.'4

2228. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : مَرارةُ الدنيا حَلاوةُ الآخِرَةِ ، وحَلاوَةُ الدنيا مَرارَةُ الآخِرَةِ5

2228. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'The bitterness of the world is the sweetness of the Hereafter, and the sweetness of the world is the bitterness of the Hereafter.'6

2229. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : طَلَبُ الجمعِ بينَ الدنيا والآخِرةِ مِن خِداعِ النَّفْسِ7

2229. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'Seeking to bring together this world and the next is from the deception of the soul.'8

2230. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : ما التَذَّ أحدٌ مِنَ الدنيا لَذَّةً إلّا كانتْ لَهُ يومَ القيامةِ غُصّةً9

2230. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'No one tastes a worldly pleasure except that he will face a torment on the Day of Resurrection.'10

2231. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : ثَروَةُ الدنيا فَقرُ الآخِرَةِ11

2231. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'The wealth of this world is the poverty of the Hereafter.'12

2232. الإمامُ زينُ العابدينَ عليه السلام : واللَّهِ ما الدُّنيا والآخِرَةُ إلّا كَكِفَّتَيِ المِيزانِ ، فأيُّهما رَجَحَ ذَهَبَ بالآخَرِ13

2232. Imam Zayn al-Abidin (AS) said, 'By Allah, this world and the next are naught but two scales of a balance, so whichever scale is weightier, it will overpower the other.'14

2233. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : آخِرُ نبيٍّ يَدخُلُ الجنّةَ سُليمانُ بنُ داوود عليه السلام ، وذلك لِما اُعطِيَ في الدنيا15

2233. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'The last prophet to enter paradise will be Solomon16 son of David (AS) due to what he was given in this world.'17

(اُنظر) المحبّة : باب 431

(See also: LOVE: section 431)

Notes

1. بحار الأنوار : 73 / 81 / 43 .

2. Ibid. v. 73 , p. 81 , no. 43

3. نهج البلاغة : الحكمة 103 .

4. Nahj al-Balagha, Saying 103

5. نهج البلاغة : الحكمة 251 .

6. Ibid. Saying 251

7. غرر الحكم : 5995 .

8. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 5995

9. غرر الحكم : 9618 .

10. Ibid. no. 9618

11. غرر الحكم : 4705 .

12. Ibid. no. 4705

13. الخصال : 64 / 95 .

14. al-Khisal, p. 64 , no. 95

15. بحار الأنوار : 14 / 74 / 16 .

16. Prophet Solomon (AS) is known as Sulayman in the Arabic tradition (ed.)

17. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 14 , p. 74 , no. 16

720 - اجتماع الدُّنيا وَالآخِرَةِ

720 COMBINING THE WORLD AND THE HEREAFTER

(فَآتاهُمُ اللَّهُ ثَوابَ الدُّنْيا وَحُسْنَ ثَوابِ الْآخِرَةِ واللَّهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ)1

“So Allah gave them the reward of this world and the fair reward of the Hereafter; and Allah loves the virtuous.” 2

2234. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : الحَرثُ حَرثانِ : فحَرثُ الدنيا المالُ والبَنونُ، وحَرثُ الآخرةِ الباقياتُ الصالحاتُ ، وقد يَجمَعُهُم اللَّهُ عزّوجلّ لأقوامٍ3

2234. Imam Ali (AS) said, Cultivation is of two kinds. Wealth and children are the cultivation of the world and righteous deeds are the cultivation of the Hereafter, and sometimes Allah combines the two for some people.'4

2235. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : إن جَعَلتَ دِينَكَ تَبَعاً لدُنياكَ أهلَكتَ دينَكَ ودُنياكَ وكُنتَ في الآخرةِ مِن الخاسِرينَ ، إن جَعَلتَ دُنياكَ تَبَعاً لِدينِكَ أحرَزْتَ دِينَكَ ودُنياكَ وكُنتَ في الآخرةِ مِن الفائزينَ5

2235. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'If you make your religion secondary to your worldly affairs, you have destroyed both your religion and your worldly affairs, and thus you will be among the losers in the Hereafter. But if you make your worldly affairs secondary to your religion, you have safeguarded your religion and your worldly affairs and you will be among the victorious ones in the Hereafter.'6

2236. الإمامُ الكاظمُ عليه السلام : إجعَلوا لِأنفُسِكُم حظّاً مِن الدنيا بِإعطائها ما تَشتَهي مِن الحلالِ وما لا يَثلِمُ المُروّةَ وما لا سَرَفَ فيهِ ، واستَعِينوا بذلكَ على‏ اُمورِ الدِّينِ ، فإنّهُ رُوِيَ : ليسَ مِنّا مَن تَرَكَ دُنياهُ لدِينِهِ ، أو تَرَكَ دِينَهُ لِدُنياهُ7

2236. Imam al-Kazim (AS) said, 'Allocate for yourselves a portion of the world by taking from it that which is lawful of what you desire, and that which does not breach the honourable virtues and that wherein there is no extravagance. And in this way, use it to assist [and improve] the matters of religion, for it has been narrated that, 'The one who abandons their worldly affairs for their religion is not from us, and neither is the one who abandons their religion for their worldly affairs.'8

Notes

1. آل عمران : 148 .

2. Qur'an 3 :148

3. تاريخ دمشق : 42 / 503 .

4. Nahj al-Saada, v. 3 , p. 127 , and Tarikh Dimashq, v. 42 p. 503

5. غرر الحكم : 3750 - 3751 .

6. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 3750-3 751

7. بحار الأنوار : 78 / 321 / 18 .

8. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 78 , p. 321 , no. 18

721 - مَثَلُ الدُّنيا

721 THE PARABLE OF THE WORLD

(وَاضْرِبْ لَهُمْ مَثَلَ الْحَياةِ الدُّنْيا كَماءٍ أَنزَلناهُ مِنَ السَّماءِ فَاخْتَلَطَ بِهِ نَبَاتُ الْأَرْضِ فَأَصْبَحَ هَشِيماً تَذْرُوهُ الرّياحُ وَكانَ اللَّهُ عَلى‏ كُلِّ شَي‏ءٍ مُقْتَدِراً)1

“Draw for them the parable of the life of this world: [it is] like the water We send down from the sky. Then the earth's vegetation mingles with it. Then it becomes chaff, scattered by the wind. And Allah is omnipotent over all things.” 2

2237. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : ما الدنيا في الآخِرَةِ إلّا مِثلُ ما يَجعَلُ أحدُكُم إصبَعَهُ في اليَمِّ فليَنظُرْ بِمَ يَرجِعُ3

2237. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'This world when compared to the Hereafter is just as if one of you dips his finger in the sea and sees what he comes out with.'4

2238. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : مَثَلُ الدنيا كَظِلِّكَ ؛ إن وَقَفتَ وَقَفَ ، وإن طَلَبتَهُ بَعُدَ5

2238. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'The parable of this world is like your shadow - if you stop, it stands still, and if you chase it, it distances itself from you.'6

2239. الإمامُ الباقرُ عليه السلام : أنزِلِ الدنيا كمَنزِلٍ نَزَلتَهُ ثُمّ ارتَحَلتَ عَنهُ ، أو كمالٍ وَجَدتَهُ في مَنامِكَ فاستَيقَظتَ ولَيس مَعكَ مِنهُ شي‏ءٌ ، إنّي (إنّما) ضَرَبتُ لكَ هذا مَثَلاً لأ نّها عِندَ أهلِ اللُبِّ والعِلمِ باللَّهِ كَفَيْ‏ءِ الظِّلالِ7

2239. Imam al-Baqir (AS) said, '[Consider] your sojourn in this world just as a house that you stayed in and [soon] departed from, or an object of perfection that you witnessed in a dream then you awoke and not a thing from it remained with you. I have given you this parable because this world, according to the people of intellect and knowledge of Allah, is just as the shadow in the shade.'8

2240. الإمامُ الباقرُ عليه السلام : إنّ الدنيا عِندَ العُلَماءِ مِثلُ الظِلِّ9

2240. Imam al-Baqir (AS) said, 'The world in the eyes of the learned ones is like a shadow.'10

2241. الإمامُ الكاظمُ عليه السلام : مَثَلُ الدنيا مَثَلُ الحَيّةِ؛ مَسُّها لَيِّنٌ وفي جَوفِها السُّمُّ القاتِلُ ، يَحذَرُها الرِّجالُ ذَوُو العُقولِ ، ويَهوِي إلَيها الصِّبيانُ بأيديهِم11

2241. Imam al-Kazim (AS) said, 'The parable of this world is like that of a snake, it is soft to touch but it contains a deadly poison. Men of intellect are cautious whereas children extend their arms towards it.'12

2242. الإمامُ الكاظمُ عليه السلام : مَثَلُ الدنيا مَثَلُ ماءِ البحرِ ؛ كُلَّما شَرِبَ مِنهُ العَطشانُ ازدادَ عَطَشاً حتّى‏ يَقتُلَهُ13

2242. Imam al-Kazim (AS) said, 'The parable of this world is that of sea water, however much the thirsty man drinks from it, his thirst intensifies until it kills him.'14

2243. الإمامُ الكاظمُ عليه السلام : تَمَثَّلَتِ الدنيا للمسيحِ عليه السلام في صُورةِ امرأةٍ زَرْقاءَ ، فقالَ لَها : كَم تَزَوَّجتِ؟ فقالَت : كثيراً ، قالَ : فَكُلٌّ طَلَّقَكِ؟ قالَت : لا ، بَل كُلّاً قَتَلتُ ، قالَ المسيحُ عليه السلام : فَوَيحٌ لأزواجِكِ الباقينَ ، كيفَ لا يَعتَبِروُنَ بالماضينَ ؟ !15

2243. Imam al-Kazim (AS) said, 'The world was embodied to Jesus (AS) in the form of a blue-eyed woman, and he said to her, 'How many have you married?' she said, 'Lots', so he asked, 'So all of them divorced you?', she replied, 'No, rather I killed all of them', then Jesus (AS) said, 'Woe upon your current spouses, for how do they not take a lesson from your previous ones?!'16

2244. الإمامُ الكاظمُ عليه السلام : إنّ لُقمانَ قالَ لِابنِهِ: إنّ الدنيا بحرٌ عميقٌ ، قد غَرِقَ فيها عالَمٌ كثيرٌ ، فلتَكُنْ سَفينتُكَ فيها تَقوَى اللَّهِ ، وحَشوُها الإيمانُ وشِراعُها التوكُّلُ ، وقَيِّمُها العقلُ ، ودليلُها العِلمُ ، وسُكّانُها الصَّبرُ17

2244. Imam al-Kazim (AS) said, 'Luqman said to his son:...the world is a deep ocean in which many worlds have already drowned, so make Godwariness your boat, faith its content, trust in Allah its sail, reason its custodian, knowledge its guide and patience its inhabitants.'18

Notes

1. الكهف : 45 .

2. Qur'an 18 :45

3. بحار الأنوار : 73 / 119 / 110 .

4. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 73 , p. 119 , no. 110

5. غرر الحكم : 9818 .

6. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 9818

7. الكافي : 2 / 133 / 16 .

8. al-Kafi, v. 2 , p. 133 , no. 16

9. بحارالأنوار : 73 / 126 / 123 .

10. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 73 , p. 126 , no. 123

11. بحار الأنوار : 78 / 311 / 1 .

12. Ibid. v. 78 , p. 311 , no. 1

13. تحف العقول : 396 .

14. Tuhaf al-Uqul, no. 396

15. بحارالأنوار : 78 / 311 / 1 .

16. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 78 , p. 311 , no. 1

17. الكافي : 1 / 16 / 12 .

18. al-Kafi, v. 1 , p. 16 , no. 12

722 - الدُّنيا دارُ مَتاعٍ‏

722 THE WORLD IS THE HOUSE OF [TRIFLING] ENJOYMENT

(اللَّهُ يَبْسُطُ الرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَاءُ وَيَقْدِرُ وفَرِحُوا بِالْحَياةِ الدُّنْيا وَما الْحَياةُ الدُّنْيا فِي الْآخِرَةِ إلّا مَتاعٌ)1

“Allah expands the provision for whomever He wishes, and tightens it. They exult in the life of this world, but compared with the Hereafter the life of this world is but a [trifling] enjoyment.” 2

2245. تنبيه الخواطر : رُوِيَ أنّ جَبرئيلَ عليه السلام قالَ لِنوحٍ عليه السلام : يا أطوَلَ الأنبياءِ عُمراً ، كيفَ وَجَدتَ الدنيا؟ قال : كَدارٍ لَها بابانِ دَخَلتُ مِن أحَدِهما وخَرَجتُ مِنَ الآخَرِ3

2245. It is narrated in Tanbih al-Khawatir that the archangel Gabriel (AS) said to Prophet Noah (AS), 'O prophet who has lived for the longest number of years, how did you find this world?' he replied, 'Like a house which has two doors, I entered through one and then left through the other.'4

2246. عيسى عليه السلام : إنّما الدنيا قَنطَرةٌ ، فاعبُرُوها ولا تَعمُروها5

2246. Prophet Jesus (AS) said, 'Verily this world is a bridge, so cross over it but do not build on it.'6

2247. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : الدنيا ساعةٌ فاجعَلوها طاعةً7

2247. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'The world is only an hour [long] so use it in obedience.'8

2248. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : الدنيا مُنتَقِلَةٌ فانيةٌ ، إن بَقِيَتْ لَكَ لَم تَبقَ لَها9

2248. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'The world is a transitory and mobile thing, even if it remains for you, you will not remain for it.'10

2249. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : أيّها الناسُ ، إنّما الدنيا دارُ مَجازٍ والآخِرةُ دارُ قَرارٍ ، فخُذوا مِن مَمَرِّكُم لِمَقَرِّكُم11

2249. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'O people, verily the world is a passage while the Hereafter is a permanent abode, so take [as much as you can] from the passage for the permanent abode.'12

2250. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : الدنيا دارُ مَمَرٍّ لا دارُ مَقَرٍّ ، والناسُ فيها رجُلانِ : رجلٌ باعَ فيها نفسَهُ فأوبَقَها ، ورَجُلٌ ابتاعَ نفسَهُ فَأعتَقَها13

2250. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'This world is a transitory place and not a permanent one. The people therein are of two types, the man who has sold his self [to his passions] and thus ruined it, and the man who has purchased his self [by control against his passions] and thus freed it.'14

Notes

1. الرعد : 26 .

2. Qur'an 13 :26

3. تنبيه الخواطر : 1 / 131 .

4. Tanbih al-Khawatir, v. 1 , p. 131

5. الخصال : 65 / 95 .

6. al-Khisal, p. 65 , no. 95

7. بحار الأنوار : 77 / 164 / 2 .

8. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 77 , p. 164 , no. 2

9. غرر الحكم : 1802 .

10. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 1802

11. نهج البلاغة : الخطبة 203 .

12. Nahj al-Balagha, Sermon 203

13. نهج البلاغة : الحكمة 133 .

14. Ibid. Saying 133

723 - الدُّنيا دارٌ بِالبَلاءِ مَحفوفَةٌ

723 THE WORLD IS A PLACE SURROUNDED BY TRIALS

2251. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : دارٌ بالبلاءِ مَحفوفَةٌ ، وبالغَدْرِ مَعروفَةٌ ، لا تَدومُ أحوالُها ، ولا يَسلَمُ نُزّالُها ، أحوالٌ مُختَلِفةٌ ، تاراتٌ مُتَصَرِّفَةٌ ، العَيشُ فيها مَذمومٌ ، والأمانُ مِنها مَعدومٌ1

2251. Imam Ali (AS) said, '[The world] is a house surrounded by trials, well-known for treachery, whose conditions do not last, whose inhabitants do not remain safe, its states are variable, its ways are changing, life in it is shameful and security in it is non-existent.'2

(اُنظر) الراحة : باب 849

(See also: COMFORT: section 849)

Notes

1. نهج البلاغة : الخطبة 226 .

2. Ibid. Sermon 226