Question

I am looking for the reference and the Arabic text of the following quote which I believe is attributed to Ibn Qayyim (rahimahullah).

“The world is like a bowl filled with honey. Flies see it and rush towards it. Some land on the edge, take what they need, then fly away….”

Answer

This is indeed the statement of Imam Ibnul Qayyim (rahimahullah). He cites various examples illustrating this world’s deceptive and transitory nature.

He writes: “The world is like a container filled with honey. Flies, upon discovering it, rush towards it. Some settle on the rim and consume only what they need until satisfied, then fly away. Others, driven by greed, plunge into the middle. Their complete immersion prevents them from truly enjoying it, and they perish within it after only a brief moment of pleasure.”

(‘Uddatus Sabirin, pg. 457)

Kindly find the Arabic text below.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

__________

التخريج من المصادر العربية

عدة الصابرين وذخيرة الشاكرين – ط عالم الفوائد: (١/ ٤٥٧)
المثال الحادي عشر: مثالها مثل إناء مملوء عسلا رأته الذباب، فأقبلت نحوه، فبعضها قعد على حافة الإناء، وجعل يتناول من العسل حتى أخذ حاجته ثم طار، وبعضها حمله الشره على أن رمى بنفسه في لجة الإناء ووسطه فلم يدعه انغماسه فيه أن يتهنأ به إلا قليلا حتى هلك في وسطه.