How Is Love of This World a Source of Evil According to the Hadith?

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Question

How is love of this world a source of evil, according to the hadith?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate.

The Prophetic Counsel Regarding Worldliness

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: “Renounce worldliness and Allah will love you.”

The term “dunya” can refer to two distinct matters:

One: Dunya as the Life of This World

Dunya can refer to the life of this world, the life that human beings are living right now. In this sense, the life of this world is the abode of opportunity. It is the place in which we have the opportunity to do good, to seek Allah and the Hereafter. It is also the place in which there is the opportunity to disbelieve, to sin, to oppress, and to turn away from Allah.

Two: Dunya as Worldliness

Dunya is used in a negative sense to refer to that which disadvantages a person with Allah, and that which busies one away from Allah.

Abu Sulayman al-Darani said:

“Worldliness is that which busies you away from Allah.”

In this sense, dunya refers to worldliness, and worldliness is the beginning of evil.

How Worldliness Becomes a Source of Evil

Worldliness begins by busying the heart away from Allah. It starts with heedlessness. Then it becomes a disadvantage. Then it becomes improper actions. Then, there are sinful actions. Then wrongdoing. Then corruption, and beyond.

The Hadith on the Accursed Nature of Worldliness

In this regard, the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:

“Worldliness is accursed.”

The meaning of being accursed is that worldliness is distant from divine mercy.

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) also said:

“Worldliness is accursed, and all that is in it is accursed, except for the remembrance of Allah and that which relates to it, and except for a person teaching knowledge or one seeking knowledge.”

In another hadith, the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:

“Worldliness is accursed, and all that is in it is accursed, except that by which the countenance of Allah Most High is sought.”

When It Is Not Worldliness

Accordingly, it is not worldliness when one pursues the good, particularly when it is connected to high meaning for the sake of Allah, and when Allah’s pleasure is what is being sought.

And Allah is the giver of success and facilitation.
[Shaykh] Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani is a recognized specialist scholar in the Islamic sciences, having studied under leading scholars from around the world. He is the Founder and Executive Director of SeekersGuidance.

Shaykh Faraz stands as a distinguished figure in Islamic scholarship. His journey in seeking knowledge is marked by dedication and depth. He spent ten years studying under some of the most revered scholars of our times. His initial studies took place in Damascus. He then continued in Amman, Jordan.

In Damascus, he was privileged to learn from the late Shaykh Adib al-Kallas. Shaykh Adib al-Kallas was renowned as the foremost theologian of his time. Shaykh Faraz also studied under Shaykh Hassan al-Hindi in Damascus. Shaykh Hassan is recognized as one of the leading Hanafi jurists of our era.

Upon completing his studies, Shaykh Faraz returned to Canada in 2007. His return marked a new chapter in his service to the community. He founded SeekersGuidance. The organization reflects his commitment to spreading Islamic knowledge. It aims to be reliable, relevant, inspiring, and accessible. This mission addresses both online and on-the-ground needs.

Shaykh Faraz is also an accomplished author. His notable work includes “Absolute Essentials of Islam: Faith, Prayer, and the Path of Salvation According to the Hanafi School,” which was published by White Thread Press in 2004 and is a significant contribution to Islamic literature.

His influence extends beyond his immediate community. Since 2011, Shaykh Faraz has been recognized as one of the 500 most influential Muslims. This recognition comes from the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center. It underscores his impact on the global Islamic discourse.

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani’s life and work embody a profound commitment to Islamic scholarship. His teachings continue to enlighten and guide seekers of knowledge worldwide.