Zuhd (Asceticism)

Know that the life of this world is merely a game and amusement, and an adornment and a way of mutual boasting, and an act of mutual multiplying (in rivalry) of wealth and children. It is like a rain (which causes the growth of plantation) so its vegetation brings forth delight (in the heart of) the farmers; soon it withers and you shall see it (turning) yellow; then it (becomes dry and broken stubble) crumbles to pieces. But in the Hereafter, there is severe punishment (for those who preferred this world), and forgiveness from Allah and (His) good pleasure (for those who had not preferred this world). And the life of this world is nothing but a deceitful enjoyment.  Al Hadeed 20

This Holy verse states that the life of this world is a deceiving, short-lived joy that contains what does not bring about any benefit. Also the life of this world is pomp, which will encourage one to indulge in it and forget the Hereafter.

Further, this life is full of competition and boasting about having what this life offers of money, offspring, etc. Allah then illustrates the briefness of this life by mentioning the rain when it comes down on the earth and thus the ground becomes green and lively with various plants and vegetation. Soon afterwards, the earth will revert to its near past and will become dry and dead again. This is the exact case with the life of this world.

There are many Texts in the Quran and the Sunnah that encourage being a Zahid in Dunya (The Present World). These Texts demonstrate the little significance that the Dunya has and point out its briefness and quick demise. These Texts also strengthen the eagerness in the Last Life, whose joy is eternal. Allah says,

"Whatever is with you, will be exhausted, and whatever with Allah (of good deeds) will remain." (An-Nahl :96)

Sufyan Ath-Thawry said,

"Zuhd in this world entails having a short hope (or avoiding having hopes that one will live long), not mere wearing the thick clothes or wearing the garment.

Junaid radiyalllahu anhu says: The verse from the Holy Qur’an In order that you may not be grieved over the matters that pass upon you nor exult (over favors) bestowed upon you. And Allah does not love any arrogant boaster. (Hadeed 23) is clearly explains the meaning of Islamic Zuhd. One who practices Zuhd in his life will not exult in getting something here and will not be sad on something lost.

Imam Ahmad bin hanbal said:Zuhd is not to feel happy over what has been given and not to be sad on the matters that have passed upon.

Imam Hanbali was asked about a man who has thousand deenars with him whether he is Zahid or not? He replied that he is Zahid on the condition that he does not feel happy when those deenars get doubled and he does not get sad when they fall down.  

Imam Ahmad divided Zuhd into three parts:

1. Avoiding the prohibitions and this is the Zuhd of the commons.

2. Abandoning what is not a necessity among the Halal matters. This type is the Zuhd of the distinguished people.

3. Abandoning what will busy one from the remembrance of Allah. This is the Zuhd of those who have knowledge about Allah (ma’rifath)

The scholars have agreed upon the fact that zuhd is the journey of the heart from this world to reside in the other world of immortality.

Al-Hasan Al-Basri  said,

"Zuhd in this Dunya is not achieved by prohibiting the Halal, or by wasting money. Rather, it entails your being more certain in what Allah has with Him, than you are in what you have in your hand. It also entails being eager for the reward of (practicing patience during) the calamity, if a calamity touches you, more than if the calamity did not touch you (as in this case, one will not gain the reward for observing patience during hard times. However, one should not wish for disasters to hit)."

All these sayings given to us by the Muslim ancestors, who set good examples in the application of Islam, are among the best definitions for the meaning of Zuhd. No one has been created to be immortal in this world and to enjoy it forever.

Oh, brothers in Islam, change your life style to what Allah has ordered to do. Avoid your unwanted words and be busy with what will help you get rewards of this world and hereafter. Empty your mind from the problems of this Dunya which is the lowest one and which will be taken from you in the nearest future. You don’t seek joyful life here as the prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam said: The real life is the life of Hereafter.