The zuhd of Umar ibn Khattab R A.

 The zuhd of Umar ibn Khattab R A. 

Zuhd is an often misunderstood term, most probably because, among certain people – namely, certain followers of Sufi orders it is taken to an extreme; or, it is understood only on a superficial level. In the Arabic language, a Zaahid – one who practices Zuhd – is someone who is abstemious, austere, and self-denying in his lifestyle. As an Islamic term, a Zaahid is someone who abjures worldly pleasures and comforts for the sake of Allah (swt), and because, through leading a self-denying existence in this life, he hopes to enjoy a comfortable and pleasure-filled life in the Hereafter. Based on this definition, ‘Umar (ra) was a paragon of Zuhd.

Based on his understanding of the Noble Qur’an, based on his many years of close companionship with the Prophet (saw), and based on his contemplation of the universe around him, ‘Umar (ra) arrived at the conclusion that this world is a temporary abode, one that is nothing more than an examination hall for human beings. That being said, this life, ‘Umar (ra) realized, did have its uses: It represented fertile ground upon which one can plant seeds for the Hereafter.

Because Umar (ra) knew the reality of this life, worldly temptations – wealth, power, comfort, women – held no sway over him. Thus, a slave to no man and to no false deity, but rather a slave only of the One True God, Allah (swt), ‘Umar (ra) was truly a free man. And he turned away from the pleasures and temptations of this world primarily because of Allah’s Grace, Guidance, and Mercy, and then because of his understanding of the following realities:

‘Umar (ra) understood that he was only passing through this world, just as a traveler passes through a town on his way to a far-off destination. The Prophet (saw) said: “Live in this world as if you are a stranger or a traveler who is only passing through [one place on his way to a distant destination].”

To Allah (swt), this world is of no value, the only exception being the acts of obedience that take place in it for His sake. The Prophet (saw) said: “If, for Allah, this world was worth even the wing of a mosquito, He would not have given a disbeliever in it even a mouthful of water.” According to another narration, the Prophet (saw) said: “The world is cursed, and everything in it is cursed except for the remembrance of Allah, for good deeds that Allah loves, for a scholar, or for a student.”

This world is destined to come to an end sooner rather than later. Sure, the history of the world is long; but the days that have gone by are much more numerous than the days that remain. The Prophet (saw) said: “I and the Hour (i.e., the end of this world) have been sent together like these two,” and upon saying this, the Prophet (saw) pointed to his index and middle fingers. This Hadeeth points to the following meaning: Just as the index and middle fingers are in close proximity towards one another in terms of distance, so too is the Prophet’s being sent on earth in close proximity to the end of this world in terms of time.

As the believer from the family of Fir’aun pointed out, the Hereafter is the world that is eternal and everlasting: