The Taqua of Marriage

x Ad-Dunya (This World)

The word dunya comes from danaa (root: dal nun wau). This root word has two
meanings: 1) near and 2) lowly. This life has been called al-hayaat ad-dunya because it is
the near (or "nearest"), the apparent and the current existence which we know and also
because it is lesser, despicable and superficial in comparison to the real life as Allah called it

• the life in the hereafter. Ad-Dunya is the place which contains all the objects of desire of
  the human nafs in this life. It is in reality a mere transition or place of passing and has no
  permanence or lasting meaning. The life of this world and all that is in it is like the beautiful
  plants or crops which impress those who look on them but which shortly are turned into
  dead leaves and dust blown about by the wind. The Prophet (sas) said:

"Maa ad-dunya fiy al-aakhirati illa mithlu maa yaj'alu ahadukum usbu'ahu fiy al-yammi li

yandhura bima yarja'"

"This life in comparison to the life hereafter is nothing except like that which one of you

finds if he sticks his finger into the ocean and then sees what it brings back with

it." Muslim

The life of this world has been made attractive and desireable to mankind. Unlike some
other religions, Islam does not negate this love nor deem it as inherently evil. Rather, they
are natural desires which Allah created in us and only need to be channeled into what Allah
has allowed or encouraged and not allowed to control our actions and beliefs even in
disobedience to Allah Most High. So this life is a temporary place of testing which
determines our permenant condition in the life hereafter. The Prophet (sas) said:

"Inna ad-dunya hilwatun khadhratun. Wa inna Allah mustakhlifukum fiha fayandhuru

kaifa ta'maluna. Fa ittaqqoo ad-dunya wa ittaqqoo an-nisaa."

"Surely, this dunya is sweet and fresh. And Allah makes you the heirs of it and then

watches what you do. So beware of this dunya and beware regarding women." Muslim

A Muslim is not ordered to turn his back on the things of this life like the asceticism which
the Christians and others innovated. Rather, a Muslim is commanded to seek, exploit and
use these things in obedience to Allah and in furthering the cause of raising Allah's din in the
land. Allah said:

{Thumma qaffainaa 'alaa aathaarihim bi rusulinaa wa qaffainaa bi 'isaa ibni maryama

wa aatainaahu al-injeela wa ja'alnaa fiy quloobi alladhina ittaba'oohu ra'fatan wa

rahmatan wa rahbaaniyyatan ibtada'ooha maa katabnaaha 'alaihim illa ibtighaa'a

ridhwaani allahi famaa ra'auhaa haqqa ri'ayatiha fa aatainaa alladhina aamanoo

minhum ajrahum wa katheerun minhum faasiqoon.}

{Then, we sent after them from our prophets and we sent Isa the son of Maryam and we

gave him the Injeel and we placed in the hearts of those who followed him compassion

and mercy but asceticism they innovated we did not prescribe it for them except for

seeking the pleasure of Allah which they did not maintain as it should have been

maintained. So we granted those who believed among them their reward and most of

them are corrupt.} Al-Hadeed:26