Arabic Text
English Translation
— Sahl ibn Sa‘d (RA) (Ibn Mājah (ḥasan))
Commentary
Zuhd is not poverty — it is the heart's distance from dunyā even while one possesses it.
Extended Explanation
Two zuhds in one hadith: zuhd in dunyā (Allah loves you) and zuhd in what people possess (people love you). The second is psychologically brilliant — people unconsciously resent those who envy and crowd them, and unconsciously love those who do not.
Ibn Rajab carefully defines zuhd: it is not poverty, nor refusing wealth. ‘Alī (RA) said: ‘zuhd is contained in two phrases of the Qur’ān — “so that you do not despair over what eluded you, nor exult over what He gave you” (57:23). Whoever masters this is the zāhid.’
From the Scholars
"Zuhd is summed up in two words: do not grieve over what passes you by, do not rejoice over what comes — and you are the zāhid."
"The Prophet ﷺ owned land, married, ate good food — yet he was the greatest zāhid. Zuhd is in the heart, not in the hand."
Fiqh & Rulings
- •Owning wealth is not anti-zuhd; clinging to wealth in the heart is.
- •Sūfī-style abandonment of dunyā (refusing to work, marry, eat) is not Sunnah — the Prophet ﷺ rebuked this in Bukhari.
- •Love of being loved by people is human; manipulating others or sucking up to gain it is hypocrisy.
Qur'ān Cross-References
Key Arabic Vocabulary
be detached / abstain
the worldly life
Today's Reflection
What worldly object have you made too important? Detach from it inwardly today.
Key Benefits
- 1Love of Allah and love of people share a root: zuhd.
- 2True zuhd is internal, not external.
Common Mistakes & Warnings
- ⚠‘Zuhd in what people have’ does not mean refusing legitimate help, gifts, or partnership — only refusing to envy or covet.
- ⚠Pretending zuhd while pursuing fame for ‘being a zāhid’ is the opposite of zuhd.
Related Hadiths
Memorization Progress