I heard Mustawrid, a member of Banu Fihr, saying: The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said:"The world compared to the Hereafter is but like what one of you gets when placing his finger into the sea, so look at what you draw from it."
Hadith Text
I heard Mustawrid, a member of Banu Fihr, saying: The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said:"The world compared to the Hereafter is but like what one of you gets when placing his finger into the sea, so look at what you draw from it."
Reference: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2323 | Book: Chapters On Zuhd | Author: Jami' at-Tirmidhi
Commentary on the Meaning
This profound hadith employs a powerful analogy to illustrate the insignificance of worldly pleasures compared to the eternal rewards of the Hereafter. When one dips a finger into the vast ocean, the tiny drop of water that adheres to it represents the entirety of worldly life, while the immense ocean symbolizes the Hereafter.
The instruction "so look at what you draw from it" serves as a profound exhortation to reflect upon the true value of worldly pursuits. The wise believer recognizes that whatever is gained from this world - wealth, status, or pleasure - is fleeting and minuscule compared to the eternal blessings awaiting in the afterlife.
Spiritual Implications
This teaching emphasizes the Islamic concept of Zuhd (asceticism/detachment), not as complete abandonment of the world, but as maintaining proper perspective. The believer engages with worldly matters while recognizing their temporary nature and prioritizing spiritual investments.
The analogy reminds us that just as the drop from the ocean quickly evaporates, worldly pleasures are transient. The true intelligent person is one who works for what remains (the Hereafter) rather than what perishes (this world).
Practical Application
This hadith encourages believers to evaluate their pursuits: Are we chasing the "drop" or preparing for the "ocean"? It calls for balance in worldly engagements while keeping the ultimate destination in mind.
The teaching doesn't prohibit lawful enjoyment of worldly provisions but warns against making them the ultimate goal. The wise Muslim uses the world as a means to attain the pleasure of Allah and the eternal abode, not as an end in itself.