Zuhd

Zuhd is a quality that makes a person become disinterested in worldly things. That is why a Zaahid is a person whose heart is not attached to Dunya. The heart not being attached to Dunya does not mean that he does not eat, drink or get married. These things do not prevent a person from becoming Zaahid because the greatest Zaahid was Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam). Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) has also eaten and drunk and had several wives. Therefore, this is not contrary to Zuhd. What is essential in regards to Zuhd is that a person must not let the love of Dunya penetrate his heart to such an extent that he disobeys Allah Ta’ala. He must use the chattels of Dunya as an assistance and a means to enable him to perform Ibaadah of Allah Ta’ala without allowing the love of these things to dominate the love of Allah Ta’ala that he has in his heart. Dunya is like a ship that requires water to float - it cannot float without water. Similarly, a person needs Dunya to live - he cannot live without Dunya. However, if water enters the ship, the ship will sink. Similarly, if Dunya penetrates the heart, the heart will sink.

Therefore, Zuhd means to use Dunya to the extent that is necessary without letting it penetrate the heart and dominate the love that one must have for Allah Ta’ala.

[English version of "Zouhd" – Al Jamiat – Vol.2 No.8]