Ain Al-Hayat, The Essence of Life.pdf - Higher Intellect | Content ...

• In another tradition it is said that the Prophet (a.s.) was once walking on the street
when he noticed a dead lamb rotting on a garbage dump. He asked his companions, “
What will be the value of this animal?” They replied, “ If it was alive, it wouldn’t be
worth more than a dirham.” The Prophet (a.s.) said, “ By Allah! The world for me is
not worth more than that dead lamb!” “ Think of the world as an inn where you are
stopping for a little time. The worldly wealth is like a dream. When the eyes open,
there would be nothing around to see!”
• Hazrat Abu Dharr said , “ O seekers of knowledge and wisdom! Don’t be attached to
wealth and your off-springs! One day you will have to leave them behind! You are
like a guest in this world. You are here today and your destination will be different
tomorrow!”
• Hazrat Ali (a.s.) said, “ Don’t seek more riches. Excess of riches will result in
excessive sins. A clever person is one who distinguishes the difference between the
transient and immortal. Shun the transitory world. Love for the world will make one
forget his duties to Allah. O seekers of the world! You are running after it, but it will
throw you out! Those who are proud of the worldly gains, will be soon engulfed with
difficulties. Those who have gone from here , have never returned! Those who
remain , never know when they will depart. It’s pleasures and pains are uncertain.
Don’t count on your age , every thing will transit sooner or later! When it gives fame
to a person, it can soon give him infamy! It has caused ridicule to it’s monarchs! The
life in this world is always awaiting death! Have you not heard of the people before
you? .How rich and respected they were in their days! Some were the kings and
others were courtiers! But when the time to depart came around, none could help
them! Do you love such a place and the people inhabiting it!? Don’t attach your
hearts to the world!”
• Ibne Babawiah narrates that whenever the Prophet (a.s.) returned from his journeys,
he would first go to the house of Hazrat Fatima (a.s.). Once when he returned from a
trip and went to Hazrat Fatima (a.s.)’s house, he noticed an expensive curtain
hanging on the door. He also saw two earrings adorning her daughter’s ears. The
Prophet (a.s.) suddenly departed without talking to her. Hazrat Fatima (a.s.)
understood why her father was upset. She removed the curtain from the door and sent
along with the earrings to the Prophet (a.s.) requesting him to sell them and give
away the proceeds in charity. Seeing the ear-rings and the curtain the Prophet (a.s.)
said thrice,” My daughter! May your father be sacrificed on you! You have gauged
the feelings of your father! The world is not for Mohammed (a.s.) and his progeny! If
the world was worth a fly’s feather in Allah’s eyes, he wouldn’t have given a gulp of
water from it to the infidels!”
• It is narrated from Hazrat Ali (a.s.) that one day he was irrigating an orchard when a
very beautiful woman came and said,” O son of Abu Talib! If you consent to marry
me, I shall give you the secret treasures of the world that you will be spared of the
hard labor that you do!” Hazrat Ali (a.s.) asked, “ Who are you and what is your
name?” She replied, “ I am the world!” He said,” Run away! This implement I hold
in my hands is worth much more than all your treasures!”
• Imam Jafar e Sadiq (a.s.) said that the love for the world is the root of all the
troubles. One who doesn’t value the world very much, is the man of wisdom!