The Dunya (World) is Cursed -- Don't Busy Yourselves With It

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate

Assalaamu alaykum

We were granted this life to be tested which of us would remain steadfast in the dhikr (remembrance) and shukr (gratitude) of Allah. Living in a landmine where every step you take can lead to your possible destruction, and may not be destruction of the body but rather of the soul. We see people being annihilated every single day.

This world is one big attraction, making those who in reality are meagre and full of weakness look strong and mighty, making those who are ignorant seem intelligent, and portraying those who have been misguided and enslaved to their own desires as being the most guided of people.

Remember, no one lives in this dunya (world) except that he will die.

Al-Hasan al-Basri had some wise words concerning the dunya when he said:

"So beware of this land (the dunya) that is falling down and is misleading and deceiving, being decorated by its deceit and having eluded (others) by its delusion, and having killed its people with its hopes. It looks forward with anticipation towards the one who proposes to it for marriage. Hence it becomes like the unveiled bride - all the eyes are looking towards it, and the souls are in love with it, and the hearts are captivated by it."

Indeed he was true in his words, as we are all guilty of the crime of being deceived by the dunya with its beauty and glamor. Some of us were fortunate to get out, Alhamdulillah, while others have wandered off into the everlasting dark tunnel that had no light at its beginning and has no light at its end, busy themselves with the dunya, and the only thing that will allow him to leave is death itself. May Allah save us from an evil ending.

No matter how much good you may see in this dunya, in reality it is just a wolf dressed in sheep's clothing. Had there been any good in it, then Allah would have made it a place of reward, and place of dissension of His mercy but rather Allah only sent one of His mercies upon the earth through which we are kind to one another, and rather He has made it a place of trial and tribulation.

Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, “Paradise is surrounded by adversity, and Hellfire is surrounded by lusts.” [Muslim]

And the world is a true prison for the believer.

The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, "This world is a prison for the believer and a paradise for the disbeliever.” [Sahih Muslim]

Likewise, had there been good in it we would have seen the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) being attached to it and living in its luxuries but rather he sacrificed it all with full certainty in that which will come after is better and everlasting. Thus, he (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, "The dunya is cursed. Cursed is all that is in it except for the remembrance of Allah, and that which resembles it, a scholar, and a student (of knowledge)." [Related by at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, and Bayhaqi.]

This dunya is an endless pit for the one who is not careful and falls into it. So watch you step.

May Allah have mercy on us, and make us of those who turn to Him often in repentance, of those who benefit from admonition and of those who when they are given are thankful, and when tested are patient.

Ameen.

Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.

And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.

Wassalaam