Be in this world like a Stranger or Wayfarer- Hadith

Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) took me by the shoulder and said, “Be in this world as though you were a stranger or a wayfarer.” And Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) used to say, “In the evening do not expect [to live until] the morning, and in the morning do not expect [to live until] the evening. Take [advantage of] your health before times of sickness, and [take advantage of] your life before your death.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari 6416)

• Narrator: Abdullah ibn ‘Umar
• Muhaddis: Al Bukhari
• Source: Sahih ul Bukhari (6419)
• Summary of ruling of Muhaddis: Sahih
• Takhreej: It was narrated by Al-Tirmidhi (2333), Ibn Majah (4114), Ahmad (4764), and Abu Naim in “Hilyat Al-Awliya’” (3/301), and the wording is his.

 

Benefits from this Hadith:

1) This hadith is the foundation for limiting one’s hope in this life. So a believer must not take this life as a homeland or permanent residence, his heart being tranquil and resting assured within it. Rather, he must be in this world like a stranger or traveler, as if he were on a journey, preparing himself to depart.

2) A teacher may put his hand on his student’s shoulder as he instructs him as an expression of cordiality and to attract his attention.

3) The Hadith does not denote the renunciation of sustenance or the prohibition of worldly pleasures; rather, it denotes asceticism in such things and consuming less thereof.

4) Paradise is the believer’s homeland; hence, he is a stranger in this world and a traveler to the Hereafter. He does not allow his heart to be attached to anything of this foreign land; rather, his heart is attached to his homeland, to which he will return. His stay in this world is to fulfill his needs and get prepared to return to his homeland.

5) One may offer advice and guidance to those who do not ask for it.

6) The Prophet’s excellent approach in teaching by making convincing comparisons, as he said be in this world like a stranger or a wayfarer.

7) People vary in their advance towards the Hereafter, bearing in mind that the status of the wayfarer is higher than that of the stranger in terms of asceticism.

8) One should have simple ambitions in this world and should be prepared for death.

9) Hastening to righteous deeds before one is unable to perform them due to sickness or death.

10) The merit of ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) as he was influenced by this advice from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and he acted upon the advice “be in this world like a stranger“.

Explanation of this Hadith:

The believer makes this world a place of work and worship in order to reap the rewards of that in the Hereafter, because the Hereafter is the permanent abode, and this world is nothing but a transient abode that will end, sooner or later.

In this hadith, Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) held his shoulder to turn him in his direction, and to make him pay attention to what He will advise him to do. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, admonishing him: “Be in this world as if you were a stranger,” who has come to a country where he has no home to shelter himself, nor a resident to entertain or support him, devoid of family, children, and relationships, which are the reason for being distracted from the Creator,

“or a traveler,” meaning: or be like the one who has set out as a traveler passing through a country, not stopping there except to take provisions from it. The traveler is more ascetic in the temptations of his path than the stranger. Because a stranger may reside in a foreign country and reside there, unlike a traveler heading home, who is separated from his home country by vast distances. He is constantly relieved of burdens so that they do not hinder or delay him from reaching his destination.

It has also been said that “or” is used to denote a shift in the meaning of “rather,” meaning: Rather, be as if you were a traveler, which elevates him to a higher station in asceticism than that of a stranger.

The meaning is that the believer must always keep in mind the state of a stranger or traveler, given his needs and goals in dealing with the desires and demands of this world. This way, he can reach the Hereafter — his permanent abode — in the safest state. He does not rely on this world, but rather attaches his heart to the Hereafter. If death surprises him, he is as if he has reached his goal.

Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) learned this lesson and acted upon it well. He would say to himself and others, “If you spend the evening, do not wait for the morning,” meaning that he should not delay any act of obedience until the morning. For you may be among the people of the graves. When morning comes, do not delay doing good deeds until the evening, for death may overtake you. Seize the opportunity to do good deeds while you are healthy before illness comes between you and them. Seize the opportunity of your life in this world, and gather in it what will benefit you after your death.

The hadith states that contemplating the transience of this world and its impermanence leads a servant to righteousness and perseverance in doing good deeds. It also encourages emulating the stranger and the wayfarer, for neither of them pays attention to this world.

Detailed Takhreej:

It was narrated by Al-Tirmidhi (2333), Ibn Majah (4114), Ahmad (4764), and Abu Naim in “Hilyat Al-Awliya’” (3/301), and the wording is his.

 

And Allah knows best.

 

Footnotes:

Refer: https://shamela.ws/book/36944/966