Zuhd: Islamic Asceticism and Detachment from the World

Zuhd (asceticism, detachment from worldly attachment) is a highly praised quality in Islamic tradition. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Be in this world as if you were a stranger or a traveler" (Sahih al-Bukhari). Zuhd is not the rejection of worldly goods or withdrawal from society; it is the inner state of the heart where worldly things do not control a person's decisions, emotions, or priorities. A person may possess wealth and still be a zahid (ascetic) if their heart is not attached to it, just as a poor person may lack zuhd if their heart is consumed by desire for what they do not have.

The Prophetic Model of Zuhd

The Prophet (peace be upon him) exemplified balanced zuhd. He had access to wealth, especially after the conquests, but chose simplicity. Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: "The family of Muhammad did not eat their fill of wheat bread for three consecutive days from the time he arrived in Madinah until he passed away" (Sahih al-Bukhari). His mattress was made of leather stuffed with palm fibers. When Umar saw the marks of the rough mat on the Prophet's side and wept, the Prophet said: "What makes you weep?" Umar said: "The Caesar and Chosroes live in luxury while you, the Messenger of Allah, live like this." The Prophet replied: "Are you not pleased that theirs is this world and ours is the Hereafter?" (Sahih al-Bukhari).

Zuhd is in the Heart

Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal defined zuhd in three levels: the zuhd of the common people, which is avoiding the haram; the zuhd of the special people, which is avoiding excessive permissible things; and the zuhd of the scholars, which is avoiding anything that distracts from Allah. Ibn al-Qayyim explained that zuhd is "the heart's departure from the dwelling of this world and its settling in the dwelling of the Hereafter." This means a wealthy person can be a zahid if their heart is detached from their wealth, and they would give it all away without hesitation if the situation required it. Conversely, a person with nothing can lack zuhd if they are consumed by desire for worldly gain.

Balance: Not Monasticism

Islam rejects the extreme asceticism of monasticism. When three men came to the Prophet's house and, upon learning of his worship, felt it was insufficient, one said he would pray all night, another said he would fast every day, and the third said he would never marry, the Prophet (peace be upon him) corrected them: "I am the one who fears Allah the most among you, yet I fast and break my fast, I pray and I sleep, and I marry women. Whoever turns away from my sunnah is not of me" (Sahih al-Bukhari). The Islamic model is to be engaged with the world, to earn, build, create, and serve, while keeping the heart attached to Allah and the Hereafter. This is the middle way (wasatiyyah) that characterizes the Muslim ummah.