Ḥadīth
Abu Huraira (رضي الله عنه) reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:
“The world is a prison house for a believer and paradise for a non-believer.”
— Sahih Muslim 2956
Commentary
Imam al-Nawawi (رحمه الله) explained that this hadith means every believer is imprisoned and prevented in this world from succumbing to prohibited and makruh (undesirable) desires. Every mukallaf Muslim (a person who is Muslim, sane, and adult, accountable for their actions and obligated to follow Islamic commands and prohibitions) is commanded to be in complete obedience. However, upon death, this responsibility ceases. In its place, Allah promises eternal and true blessings, leisure, and comfort that will forever increase without diminishing.
In contrast, disbelievers may attain some worldly comfort in this life. However, upon death, they will face eternal punishment and suffering. (See al-Minhaj, 93/18)
Imam al-Munawi (رحمه الله) commented on the above hadith in Faid al-Qadir (3/546), including a narration from the scholars: “During the time when al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar (al-Asqalani) رحمه الله was the Qadi Chairman, he walked through a market. At the time, he was with his entourage riding a great, beautiful, and magnificent animal mount. Suddenly, a Jewish man, a flaxseed oil seller, came running towards him. The Jew was wearing an old, worn-out, and dirty shirt. He grabbed and stopped the mule Ibn Hajar was riding and said: ‘O Sheikh al-Islam! You claimed that your Prophet said: “The world is a prison for a believer and paradise for a disbeliever.” Then, in what way are you imprisoned, and how am I in paradise right now?’ Ibn Hajar answered: ‘If I were to compare the blessings Allah has promised for me in paradise in the hereafter, then it is as if I am in prison right now, while for you, if you want to compare your situation right now with what has been promised for you in the hereafter, it is as if you are in paradise right now.’ Then, the Jew embraced Islam.”
Regarding the matters of responsibility, Imam al-Marwazi (رحمه الله) once said: One day, I asked Imam Ahmad (رحمه الله), “How are you today?” He answered, “I am in the situation of a slave at the beginning of the day, where his Lord is commanding him to fulfill His commandments, his Prophet is asking him to practice the Sunnah, while two angels are with him, requiring him to do good. However, on the other side, his desires and Shaytan are tempting him to commit transgressions, while the Angel of Death is looking at him, counting the days to take his soul from him. At the same time, his family needs him to provide for them.”
As a conclusion, we should put in our best efforts in worship in this world, for this world is temporary. Furthermore, we should also use our time in this world wisely as a harvesting ground for worship. This is in accordance with Allah’s statement:
مَن كَانَ يُرِيدُ حَرْثَ الْآخِرَةِ نَزِدْ لَهُ فِي حَرْثِهِ ۖ وَمَن كَانَ يُرِيدُ حَرْثَ الدُّنْيَا نُؤْتِهِ مِنْهَا وَمَا لَهُ فِي الْآخِرَةِ مِن نَّصِيبٍ
“Whoever desires the harvest of the Hereafter – We increase for him in his harvest. And whoever desires the harvest of this world – We give him thereof, but there is not for him in the Hereafter any share.” [Surah ash–Shuraa (20)]
End quote from muftiwp.gov.my.
May Allah ﷻ grant us ease.
Aameen!
