Question

Is the following authentic?

“The world is a field for cultivating the Hereafter”

Answer

The Muhaddithun have not come across a chain of narrators for this narration. It is therefore not suitable to attribute this to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).

However, Mulla ‘Ali Qari (rahimahullah) states that the meaning of this statement is correct and is derived from the following verse where Allah Ta’ala says, “Whomsoever desires the harvest of the Hereafter, We will increase him in his cultivation” (Surah Shura, Verse: 20).

Therefore this statement may be quoted but not as a Hadith of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).

(Refer: Al Mughni ‘An Hamlil Asfar, Hadith: 3609, Al Maqasidul Hasanah, Hadith: 497, Al Masnu’, Hadith: 135, Al Asrarul Marfu’ah, Hadith: 205 and Kashful Khafa, Hadith: 1320)

And Allah Ta’ala knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar