Hadith Text

"The lifespan for my Ummah is from sixty years to seventy [years]."

Source Reference

Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2331 - Chapters On Zuhd

Scholarly Commentary

This hadith indicates the general lifespan range for the Muslim community after the Prophet's time. The scholars explain this as describing the typical duration of life, not an absolute limit, as many righteous predecessors lived beyond seventy years.

Imam at-Tirmidhi placed this narration in the "Chapters on Zuhd" (Asceticism) to remind believers of life's brevity and encourage preparation for the Hereafter. The numerical range serves to awaken hearts from negligence and motivate good deeds.

The specification "my Ummah" refers primarily to those living after the prophetic era, as many companions lived longer. This estimation inspires urgency in worship and detachment from worldly attachments, knowing time is limited.

Spiritual Lessons

This teaching cultivates awareness of death's proximity, encouraging regular self-assessment and repentance.

It teaches valuing time as a precious commodity that diminishes rapidly, urging prioritization of eternal matters over temporary pursuits.

The hadith fosters zuhd (asceticism) not by rejecting worldly provisions but by maintaining proper perspective and avoiding excessive attachment.