Do not keep the farmland lest you should desire the world

Arabic text

عَنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ رَضيَ اللهُ عنهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «لاَ تَتَّخِذُوا الضَّيْعَةَ فَتَرْغَبُوا فِي الدُّنْيَا».

Translation

‘Abdullah ibn Mas‘ūd (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Do not keep the farmland lest you should desire the world."

Explanation

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) forbade keeping the farmland, orchard, and garden because they are among the causes that make one inclined toward the worldly life and distract him from the Hereafter.

Benefits

• Forbidding excessive attachment to the world that leads to distraction from the Hereafter.
• The Hadīth does not prohibit keeping what is necessary for livelihood; rather, it prohibits excessive indulgence in the world and forgetting the Hereafter.
• As-Sindi said: What is meant is: Do not exaggerate in acquiring farmland, so you will become distracted from the remembrance of Allah.

Topics

• Virtues and Manners
• Heart-Softeners and Sermons
• Condemning Love of the World