36/44. Chapter:
Jami at-Tirmidhi 2377 — The World Is Passing Shade
The Hadith: "What is The World But Like A Rider Seeking Shade."
Hadith About Dunya Like Shade Under a Tree
Jami at-Tirmidhi : 2377
Jami at-TirmidhiHadith Number 2377
حَدَّثَنَا مُوسَى بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ الْكِنْدِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا زَيْدُ بْنُ حُبَابٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي الْمَسْعُودِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا عَمْرُو بْنُ مُرَّةَ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، عَنْ عَلْقَمَةَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ نَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَلَى حَصِيرٍ فَقَامَ وَقَدْ أَثَّرَ فِي جَنْبِهِ فَقُلْنَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ لَوِ اتَّخَذْنَا لَكَ وِطَاءً . فَقَالَ " مَا لِي وَمَا لِلدُّنْيَا مَا أَنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا إِلاَّ كَرَاكِبٍ اسْتَظَلَّ تَحْتَ شَجَرَةٍ ثُمَّ رَاحَ وَتَرَكَهَا " . قَالَ وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنْ عُمَرَ وَابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ .
`Abdullah Narrated from:
The Messenger Of Allah (S.A.W) Was Sleeping Upon A Mat, Then He Stood, And The Mat Had Left Marks On His Side. We Said: 'O Messenger Of Allah! We Said: 'O Messenger Of Allah! We Could Get A Bed For You.' He Said: 'What Do I Have To Do With The World! I Am Not In The World But As A Rider Seeking Shade Under A Tree, Then He Catches His Breath And Leaves It.'
Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2377In-book reference : Book 36, Hadith 74English translation : Vol. 4, Book 10, Hadith 2377
Summary of Jami at-Tirmidhi Hadith 2377
This hadith about the dunya shows the Prophet (s.a.w) sleeping on a mat that left marks on his side. The companions offered to get him bedding, but he answered with a clear example: his relation to the world was like a rider who rests under a tree for shade, catches his breath, and then leaves it. The hadith does not deny that a person may use bedding or comfort. It shows the Prophet’s view of worldly life as temporary. For readers searching hadith about dunya being temporary, this narration gives a simple image. Life here is a stop, not the final home, so the heart should not settle too deeply into it.
What we learn from this hadith
- Worldly life is temporary, like a short rest under shade.
- The Prophet accepted simple living even when comfort was offered.
- A believer should use the world without becoming attached to it.
