Dunyā
Definition
Dunya literally means 'the lower' or 'the nearer' — this present world of temporal existence, in contrast to the akhira (the Hereafter). Al-Ghazali insists that dunya is not inherently evil: it is the stage on which the Muslim's entire spiritual drama unfolds, the arena in which worship is performed, character is developed, and the eternal destiny is shaped. What is condemned is not the dunya itself but the excessive attachment to it — treating it as a permanent home rather than a way-station, loving it as an end rather than using it as a means. The Muslim who lives in the dunya with the orientation of the traveller — taking what the journey requires and releasing what it does not — is using creation correctly.
As understood in the classical tradition of Imam al-Ghazali and the scholars of his school.
How the scholars use Dunyā.
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"which is Yāliyāl, between Badr and the dense al-Aqnaqīl where the Quraysh were. The well at Badr was in al-Udwāt al-Dunyā from the belly of Yāliyāl to Medina. Allah, the Exalted, said in the Qur'an, When you were at the lower part of the valley, and they were at the higher part, and the caravan was lower than you. This refers to the direction of the coast. And if you had appointed a time, you would have differed in the appointment. But it was so that Allah might accomplish a matter already destined."
— Ibn Kathir, Volume 3 — The Sīrah: From the First Revelation to Badr
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"Abu Hurayrah narrated a hadith: "Shall I not inform you of a matter that is true... This was transmitted by Ibn Abi Dunya in Al-Du'a and Al-Mard and Al-Kaffarat. The hadith of visiting the sick for a camel's rest duration was transmitted by Ibn Abi Dunya from Anas with an unknown chain. The hadith "Visit the sick intermittently and pause in your visitations" was transmitted by Ibn Abi Dunya, with Abu Ya’la narrating from Jabir, adding, "unless one is compelled," and its chain is weak."
— Imam al-Ghazali, Book 15: Friendship and Brotherhood
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"In the Musnad of Imam Ahmad and the Sunan from Abu al-Darda, it is raised that the angels lower their wings for the seeker of knowledge, pleased with what he does, meaning they humble themselves for him, as God Almighty said, and lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy from Surah al-Isra, and lower your wing to those who follow you of the believers from Surah ash-Shu'ara."
— Ibn Kathir, Volume 1 — From Creation to Mūsā
Appears in
1 book in the library
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