The Real Meaning of Zuhd

The Real Meaning of Zuhd (Not having a love for the Dunyaa)

By Muhammad bin Salih al-Uthaymeen (d.1421 A.H.) (rahimahUllaah)

Published by Miraath Publications

a) AbdurRahmaan bin Ali bin Muhammad Ibn Jawzi (d. 598 A.H.) said:

‘Zuhd is not just leaving wealth or giving wealth to show that you are generous and strong, nor to get people’s hearts to incline to you, on the contrary Zuhd is leaving worldly things due to having the knowledge that it is insignificant in relation to the immeasurable value of the Hereafter.’

[Taken from: ‘Mukhtasir Minhaj al-Qasideen’ p.324]

b) Shamsuddeen Muhammad bin Abee Bakr Ibn Qayyim aj-Jawzeeyah (d.751 A.H.) -Rahimullaah- said:

‘The intent of Zuhd is not rejection of having possessions, since in fact Sulayman and Dawood –alayhim as-Salaam- were the ones who had the most Zuhd from amongst the people at their time and they had been endowed with wealth, land and women.

Our Prophet -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- had definitely the most Zuhd above all mankind, and he had nine women. ‘Ali bin Abi Taalib, AbdurRahman bin ‘Awf, Zubayr and Uthmaan -Radi Allaahu anhum- were from those who had Zuhd even though they had wealth, and there were many others like them.’

[Taken from ‘Madarij as-Salikeen’ by Ibn al-Qayyim (d. 751 A.H.) Volume 2/13-14)]

c) Al-Hasan said:

‘Having Zuhd of the Dunyaa is not prohibiting oneself from that which is Halaal, nor by wasting money, but it is knowing that what is in Allaah’s Hand is more trustworthy than one’s own-self and what he has in his hand (i.e. possesses).’

[Taken from ‘Madarij as-Salikeen’ by Ibn al-Qayyim (d. 751 A.H.) 285]

d) Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali (d.795) -Rahimullaah- said:

‘Abu Sulayman said: ‘Do not testify for anyone that he has Zuhd, since indeed Zuhd is in the heart.’

[Taken from: ‘Tayseer Rab al-Bariya fee Sharh al-Arba’een an-Nawawi’ p.436]

Compiled & Translated By Abbas Abu Yahya

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