‘Abdallah b. ‘Umar told of God’s messenger taking him by the shoulders and saying, ‘‘Be in the world as though you were a stranger or one who is passing through.” Ibn ‘Umar used to say, “In the evening do not expect to see the morning and in the morning do not expect to see the evening, but take something when in health to serve you in time of illness and something in your life to serve you in your death.” Bukhari transmitted it.
Commentary on the Hadith of Ibn 'Umar
This profound narration from the noble Companion 'Abdallah ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) contains essential wisdom regarding the believer's proper relationship with this temporal world. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) grasped Ibn 'Umar by his shoulders - a gesture indicating the importance and seriousness of the instruction being given.
The instruction to be "as though you were a stranger or one passing through" teaches us that the believer should maintain spiritual detachment from worldly attachments. A stranger does not become overly comfortable or invested in a place he knows he will soon leave. Similarly, the traveler (ibn al-sabil) recognizes his journey is temporary and focuses on reaching his destination.
Ibn 'Umar's practical application of this teaching demonstrates how this spiritual principle manifests in daily life. "In the evening do not expect to see the morning" means one should live each moment conscious of death's proximity, for death may come at any time. This awareness cultivates constant preparedness for meeting one's Lord.
"Take something when in health to serve you in time of illness" refers to accumulating righteous deeds during times of capability that will benefit one during times of incapacity. "Something in your life to serve you in your death" means performing acts of worship and charity that will continue to benefit one after departing this world, such as knowledge shared, a mosque built, or righteous children raised.
This hadith, transmitted by Imam al-Bukhari in his Sahih, encapsulates the essence of zuhd (asceticism) in Islam - not abandonment of the world, but proper orientation toward it, using it as a means to attain the eternal pleasure of Allah in the Hereafter.