When people hear the word "zuhd," they most immediately picture someone living in poverty, owning nothing, wearing tattered clothes, and avoiding all worldly pleasures. Zuhd and poverty seem to go hand in hand. But is that really what it means?
The Practice of Zuhd (Detachment)
Words of the Prophetﷺ
Practice zuhd in the world, and Allah will love you. Practice zuhd toward what people have, and they will love you.
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Ibnu Majah. (2008). Sunan Ibnu Majah. Translated by Mohammad Mahdi al-Sharif.
Zuhd Isn't About Being Poor Rasulullah (ﷺ) said: “Zuhd is not defined by forbidding what is lawful, nor by not possessing wealth. True zuhd means you don't consider your possessions more precious than what Allah has for you, and when calamity strikes, you hope for its reward more than you fear the hardship, even if it continues to befall you.”
Zuhd isn't about avoiding good food, nice clothes, or a comfortable home. You can enjoy the halal pleasures of this world, just don't let your heart become attached to them. This means having a heart that doesn't rely on or become attached to wealth and worldly things. You can enjoy them, but you remain willing to let them go when Allah wills it.
Wealth doesn't control your mind → You can focus on worship without constantly thinking about money. No arrogance → You have abundant wealth but remain humble. You don't fall apart when losing something → Losing money or a job makes you sad naturally, but you bounce back quickly and remain grateful. Generous and willing to share → You're not stingy or reluctant when asked to give charity.
People who practice zuhd aren't easily influenced by others' lifestyles on social media. They remain grateful for what they have, don't feel pressured to follow every trend, and don't stress about not living as luxuriously as what they see on their social media timeline. For us, this doesn't mean we should delete all our social media accounts, but we need to guard our hearts from becoming attached to the standards of living portrayed there.
In Surah Surah Al-Qashash: 77, Allah says: "Rather, seek the ˹reward˺ of the Hereafter by means of what Allah has granted you, without forgetting your share of this world."