KHAZANAH AL QUR'AN | 14. Dunia Laksana Air | Ustadz Farhat Asy Syuja'i, S.H.

Summary

In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the transient nature of life and the comparison of the world to water and flowers in the Quran. The world, likened to a blooming flower and flowing water, is fleeting and deceptive. The speaker emphasizes the importance of not becoming consumed by worldly desires, reminding us that everything, like water or material possessions, will eventually fade or change ownership. Drawing on teachings from the Quran and Hadith, the speaker advises contentment, cautioning that excessive attachment to worldly things may lead to harm. The sermon urges the pursuit of balance and spiritual awareness.

Takeaways

• 😀 The world is often compared to a flower in the Quran, symbolizing beauty and impermanence. Just as flowers must be cared for and not picked prematurely, life should be cherished and maintained properly.
• 😀 Allah compares the world to water in the Quran, symbolizing its fleeting and ever-changing nature. Just as rain nourishes plants before being swept away, the world is temporary and subject to change.
• 😀 The metaphor of water in the Quran emphasizes that life, like water, flows and cannot remain stagnant. The world is never static, and it is important to understand that it will eventually fade away.
• 😀 In a hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) describes the world as small in comparison to the eternal life of the hereafter. He likens it to a finger dipped in the ocean and the water that remains on it.
• 😀 People who become obsessed with worldly desires risk losing sight of the bigger picture. The world may appear magnificent, but it is fleeting, just as plants and possessions wither or pass to others over time.
• 😀 Khalifah Umar bin Khattab reminds us that the world is fleeting, comparing it to waste or trash, showing that no matter how desirable worldly possessions seem, they will eventually lose their value and be discarded.
• 😀 Water, like the world, seeks its place. Just as water flows to areas with space, the ownership of worldly things shifts from one person to another, highlighting the transient nature of material wealth.
• 😀 Water evaporates and transforms, just like the world will eventually disappear. This highlights the temporary nature of our possessions and worldly gains, urging us to focus on the eternal rewards of the hereafter.
• 😀 Engaging too deeply with the world can lead to being absorbed in its fleeting nature, just like immersing one’s finger in the ocean results in wetness. People who prioritize the world may find it hard to detach from its temptations.
• 😀 The analogy between water and the world also illustrates that when life is lived in balance and moderation, it can be beneficial. However, excessive attachment to the world can lead to harm, just as too much water can cause damage.

Q & A

What does the Quran say about the world and its metaphor of a flower?

The Quran describes the world as a metaphorical flower, representing the fleeting beauty and allure of worldly life. Allah mentions in the Quran that the world is like a flower that can captivate but should be cared for and not picked prematurely, as doing so will result in loss, both in this life and the afterlife.

What is the significance of water as a metaphor for the world in the Quran?

In the Quran, the world is compared to water to illustrate its transient and changing nature. Water nourishes plants, symbolizing how life and sustenance are provided by Allah. However, just like water, the world is temporary and will eventually dry up, illustrating the impermanence of worldly pleasures and wealth.

How does the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) describe the world in relation to the afterlife?

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) compared the world to a drop of water in the vast ocean when describing its insignificance compared to the afterlife. This metaphor emphasizes the smallness and impermanence of worldly life in comparison to the eternal nature of the hereafter.

Why does the speaker mention the story of Khalifah Umar bin Khattab regarding the world?

The speaker references the story of Khalifah Umar bin Khattab to highlight the fleeting nature of worldly possessions. Umar stopped at a place with trash and reminded his companions that this is the fate of the world — it all ends up as refuse, showing how transient and ultimately insignificant material wealth can be.

What lesson does the speaker draw from the comparison of the world to water?

The speaker draws the lesson that just as water can be beneficial when in the right quantity, it can also cause harm if it overflows. Similarly, worldly possessions and desires are beneficial in moderation, but excessive attachment to them can lead to harm and destruction in both this life and the hereafter.

What is the role of contentment (qana'ah) in relation to the world?

Contentment (qana'ah) is emphasized as a key virtue. The speaker encourages believers to be satisfied with what Allah has provided for them, understanding that whatever they have is the best for them. Excessive desire for more can lead to negative consequences, and being content with one's provisions leads to peace of mind and spiritual fulfillment.

How does the speaker explain the dangers of excessive desire for the world?

The speaker warns that excessive attachment to the world can result in harm, using the example of water that, when in excess, leads to floods and destruction. Similarly, when one's desires for wealth and worldly pleasures exceed what is necessary, it can negatively affect one's life and spiritual well-being.

What connection does the speaker make between the world and the changing nature of water?

The speaker connects the world to the changing nature of water by explaining that just as water is constantly moving, evaporating, and transforming, the world too is constantly changing and unstable. This serves as a reminder that nothing in this world remains permanent, urging believers to focus on eternal spiritual matters instead.

Why is the world compared to water in terms of its tendency to 'move' and 'find a place'?

The world is compared to water in this context to show that, like water that moves and finds its place, worldly possessions and status are transient. They may belong to someone today and to someone else tomorrow. This illustrates the impermanence and fluidity of material wealth and belongings.

What practical advice does the speaker offer to believers regarding their view of the world?

The speaker advises believers to view the world as temporary and not to become overly attached to material possessions. They should focus on maintaining a balance, practicing gratitude, and understanding that what they have is what Allah has given them for their benefit. The speaker also highlights the importance of moderation and contentment in life.