36/14. Chapter:
Jami at-Tirmidhi 2322 — Dhikr and Knowledge Give Life Meaning
The Hadith: "Indeed The World Is Cursed"
Hadith About Dhikr and Beneficial Knowledge
Jami at-Tirmidhi : 2322
Jami at-TirmidhiHadith Number 2322
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ حَاتِمٍ الْمُكْتِبُ، حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ ثَابِتٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ ثَابِتِ بْنِ ثَوْبَانَ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ عَطَاءَ بْنَ قُرَّةَ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ ضَمْرَةَ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ، يَقُولُ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ " أَلاَ إِنَّ الدُّنْيَا مَلْعُونَةٌ مَلْعُونٌ مَا فِيهَا إِلاَّ ذِكْرَ اللَّهِ وَمَا وَالاَهُ وَعَالِمًا أَوْ مُتَعَلِّمًا " . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ غَرِيبٌ .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said: "Lo! Indeed The World Is Cursed. What Is In It Is Cursed, Except For Remembrance Of Allah, What Is Conducive To That, The Knowledgeable Person And The Learning Person."
[1] Meaning those acts which Allāh loves that bring one nearer to Him.Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2322In-book reference : Book 36, Hadith 19English translation : Vol. 4, Book 10, Hadith 2322
Summary of Jami at-Tirmidhi Hadith 2322
This hadith about dhikr explains what gives real value to life in this world. The Prophet (s.a.w) said that the world and what is in it is cursed, except for the remembrance of Allah, what helps a person remember Allah, the knowledgeable person, and the learning person. The wording is very direct. It does not praise empty worldly busyness. It points the heart toward dhikr of Allah and Islamic knowledge. The hadith also honors both the teacher and the student. A person may be learning, teaching, remembering Allah, or doing what helps that remembrance. These are the things that give worldly life a better purpose and save it from being only a distraction.
What we learn from this hadith
- Dhikr of Allah gives meaning to a person’s time in this world.
- Beneficial knowledge is praised in this hadith.
- Both the knowledgeable person and the learning person are mentioned with honor.
