Hadith: “The world is a prison for the believer and a paradise for the disbeliever”
Disclaimer: This hadith is taken from زاد الطالبين (Provisions for the Seekers) originally written by Shaykh Maulana Muhammad Ashiq Ilahi al-Bulandshehri in Arabic. Provision for the Seekers is the English version, with the translation and additional commentary by Mufti Abdur Rahman ibn Yusuf. No copyright infringement intended whatsoever. All rights belong to the publisher(s).
Original & Translation
الدُّنيَا سِجنُ المُؤمِنِ وَ جَنَّةُ الكَافِرِ
“The world is a prison for the believer and a paradise for the disbeliever.”
Note: This is an authentic, Saheeh hadith from Muslim, Tirmidhī, and Ibn Mājah.
Word-by-Word Definitions
- الدُّنيَا means “the world”
- سِجن means “prison”
- المُؤمِن means “the believer”
- وَ means “and”
- جَنَّة means “paradise”
- الكَافِر means “the disbeliever”
Sentence Analysis (Tarkeeb)
الدُّنيَا is mubtada.
سِجنُ is mudhaaf and المُؤمِنِ it its mudhaaf ilayh so these two together make up murakkab idhaafiyy. This murakkab is the ma’toof ‘alayh. وَ is harf ‘ataf. جَنَّةُ is mudhaaf and الكَافِرِ it its mudhaaf ilayh so these two together make up murakkab idhaafiyy. This murakkab is the ma’toof. Ma’toof ‘alayh, harf ‘ataf, and ma’toof together form the khabar.
Mubtada and khabar form jumlah ismiyyah khabariyyah.
For a brief list of Tarkeeb terms, their meanings and roles, check here.
Why is it a prison for believers?
The definition of a “mu’min” (believer): someone who believes in their heart that Allah (SWT) is One (i.e there is only One God) and that Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم is His messenger.
When you believe and take the shahādah, then you implement Islam into your life. If we believe and don’t implement the teachings then that means our Imān is weak.
We have been given the Shari’ah as a way of lifestyle through the Qur’ān and hadith. It has to be implemented and this can be difficult, as human beings have been sent not to live life like our nafs (desires) wants us to. Rather, we have been sent to live like an ‘abd (slave) of and to Allah (SWT). So since we have to abide by the rules of the Shari’ah, when we compare the Dunya (world) to Jannah, the Dunya seems to be a prison.
There is also a spiritual reason: Before our creation, we (our souls) have gazed upon the countenance of Allah (SWT) and wanted to be with Him forever. But we are now trapped in bodies like a prison and ultimately we want to die to go back to Allah (SWT).
A mu’min is one whose heart is not content with the Dunya and does not deem the world as his abode.
Why is it a paradise for disbelievers?
This world is a paradise for disbelievers as they can do whatever their nafs (self) desires. All of their hopes and desires are set on the Dunya – the be-all and end-all. Since they have no faith in a Jannah and do not adhere to a set accountability system, they are astray and try to find solace in worldly things and activities.
Additional Note:
In addition to the disclaimer, please note that I have not created this information. Rather, I have shared my notes on what was taught to me by my reputable teachers as I am a student of the deen (religion) Islam. All thanks to Allah, the Most High. Any mistake, misuse, or misinterpretation of the teachings would be entirely due to my lack of knowledge. If you have any questions or concerns about these notes, please feel free to leave a comment below or reach me privately through my blog here or @hadithexplained on Twitter.
