This World Is Like The Shade:

Dunya (life) is derived From the word دنو , which is to be close/very lowly — This is something that the Prophets(a.s) used to teach their people.

On the authority of Abdullah ibn Umar (May Allah be pleased with him), who said: The Messenger of Allah (saw) took me by the shoulder and said: “Be in this world as though you were a stranger or a wayfarer.”

And Ibn Umar (RahiyAllahu ‘anhuma) used to say, “In the evening do not expect [to live until] the morning, and in the morning do not expect [to live until] the evening. Take [advantage of] your health before times of sickness, and [take advantage of] your life before your death.”(Reported by Bukhari)

This life is a trial, and this Hadith reinforces and guides a person in how to deal with the trials of this life.

Ibn Rajab said, “And this hadith is a Foundation in having short hopes of this life, For the Believer should not take this life as a home For him that he Feels tranquil in.

Rather, he should be in it like he is about to leave, preparing himself For his departure, and the advice of the Messengers (a.s) and their Followers are all in unison with this idea”.

We see in this Hadith how the Prophet (saw) used to nurture his Followers and not just teach them academically.

Ibn Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) was young, yet he remembered exactly how the Prophet (saw) relayed the Hadith to him, and this is a testament to the teaching style of the Prophet (saw).

The Prophet (saw) said, “What is the dunya for me? An example of me and the dunya is that of a traveller who naps under the shade of a tree, then departs and leaves it”.(Reported by Ahmad and Al-Tirmidhi)

Ibn Rajab said, “And if the Dunya to a Believer is not a place of abode, nor a home, then a Believer should be with regards to the Dunya, in one of two states. Either he is like a stranger living in a land strange to him, and his main aim is to gather what he requires to return to his home, or like that of a traveller who does not stay in one place; his night and day are spent in travelling towards his homeland”.

Beware! Surely this world is a place From which protection cannot be sought except while one is in it. The action which is performed only For this world cannot secure salvation. People are tested in it through calamities. Those who have taken worldly pleasures here will be taken out From them (by death) and will be questioned about them.

And whatever (good actions) they have achieved For the other world, they will get them there and stay in them. For the intelligent this world is like the shade – one moment it is spread out and extended but soon it shrinks and contracts.

Ibn Rajab said, “When Allah created Adam (a.s), he placed him and his wife in Jannah. Then, they were taken down From Jannah and promised to return to it along with the righteous From their offspring. Hence a Believer is always longing and yearning to return to his First (and original) home”.

So, the point is that — our real home is Heaven and we are on a journey to Heaven in this world, so Follow the path of Allah(swt) which is the straight path to reach our goal. Please don't waste your time on unnecessary activities that will take us away From Paradise.

May Allah(swt)Grant us success in this world and the hereafter. (Ameen).

JazakAllah (May Allah Reward You [with] Goodness)For Reading.