The Advice Of Ibn Umar (radialahu anhu)

 

Abdullah Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) used to say,” If you survive to the evening, do not expect to be alive till the morning, If you survive to the morning, do not look forward to the evening. In a healthy condition, prepare yourself for illness and while you are alive prepare yourself for death.” (Al-Bukhari, kitaab Ar-Riqaq)

 

As for the advice of Ibn Umar, it is derived from the Hadith which he narrated, that the messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) took hold of his shoulder and said “Be in the world as if you are a stranger, or a traveller”. (Bukhari)

 

It also refers to lessening one’s hope for a long life; and that if one survives to the evening, he should not expect to be alive till the morning; and if he survives to the morning, he should not look forward to the evening. He should believe that he may die even before this. Many scholars interpreted asceticism in light of this advice.

 

Al-Marwazy said, “It has been said to Imaam Ahmad, “what is asceticism in this world?” He replies, “Lessening one’s hope in a long life, and that if one survives to the evening, he should not expect to be alive till the morning; and if he survived to the morning, he should not look forward to the evening. This is the opinion of Sufyan as well.”

 

It has been also said to Imaam Ahmad, “How could one lessen his hope in long life?” He replied, “I don’t know. It is guidance from Allah.”

 

Al-Hassan said, “Three scholars met and they said to one of them, ‘How long do you expect to live?’ He replied, ‘If a month began, I think that I would die within it.’ The other two scholars said, ‘This is actually short hope in life.’ They said to one of them, ‘How long do you expect to live?’ He replied, ‘If a week began, I think that I would die within it.’ The other two scholars said, ‘This is actually the short hope in life.’ They said to one of them, ‘How long do you expect to live?’ He replied, “What is the hope of a person whose soul is owned by another?’

 

Dawud At-Ta’y said, “I asked ‘Atwan bin ‘Amr At-Taymy, ‘ what is short hope in life?’ He replied. ‘between two breaths.’ I told Al-Fudayl bin ‘Iyad about his saying and he wept and said, ‘He took a breath and feared that he would not take the second. Truly, ‘Atwan bin ‘Amr was very ready for death.”

 

A scholar said, “I have never slept without thinking that I would not get up again.” Ibn ‘Umar said, “In your times of health, prepare yourself for illness and while you are alive prepare yourself for death.”

 

Jami’Al-Ulum Wal_hikam, page 524, 525-Ibn Rajab al Hanbali