37/3. Chapter:
Sunan Ibn Majah 4108 — Dunya Compared to the Hereafter
The likeness of this world
Hadith About Dunya Compared to the Hereafter
Sunan Ibn Majah : 4108
Sunan Ibn MajahHadith Number 4108
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ نُمَيْرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بِشْرٍ، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ أَبِي خَالِدٍ، عَنْ قَيْسِ بْنِ أَبِي حَازِمٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ الْمُسْتَوْرِدَ، أَخَا بَنِي فِهْرٍ يَقُولُ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ يَقُولُ " مَا مَثَلُ الدُّنْيَا فِي الآخِرَةِ إِلاَّ مَثَلُ مَا يَجْعَلُ أَحَدُكُمْ إِصْبَعَهُ فِي الْيَمِّ فَلْيَنْظُرْ بِمَ يَرْجِعُ " .
Mustawrid Narrated from:
I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: ‘The likeness of this world in comparison to the Hereafter is that of anyone of you dipping his finger into the sea: let him see what he brings forth.’”
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 4108In-book reference : Book 37, Hadith 9English translation : Vol. 5, Book 37, Hadith 4108
Summary of Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith 4108
This Hadith gives a picture that is easy to understand. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم compared this world in relation to the Hereafter to a person putting his finger into the sea, then looking at what comes back on it. The image shows how small the world is when compared to the Hereafter. It does not ask the believer to deny that worldly life exists. It asks the heart to see its size correctly. A wet finger beside the sea is tiny. In the same way, dunya should not be treated as if it is equal to the Hereafter. This Hadith about dunya and akhirah helps a person reduce worry over short-term gain and remember the lasting life ahead.
What we learn from this hadith
- The world is very small when compared with the Hereafter.
- A clear example can help the heart understand the value of life.
- The believer should not treat dunya as equal to the Hereafter.
- Remembering the Hereafter can reduce attachment to temporary gain.
