What does Islam say about Zuhd (Asceticism)?

[bballtab10]

As Salamu Alaikum,

I've been thinking a lot about the Hadith stating that "Be in this world as if you were a stranger or a passerby/wayfarer." Basically what I am getting from it is that worldly attachment and the materialism of this dunya are of no major benefit for the preparation for the Akhirah. However what is the extent that we can go to as Muslims to detach ourselves from the dunya, to protect ourselves from a huge fitnah if we do not seem to find ourselves able to resist the temptations of Shaitan? And also, could someone elaborate on the meaning of "zuhd?"
JazakumUllahu Khair

[UntoldTruth]

Ibraham b. Adham said, "Renunciation (Zudh) is for the heart - not the hand - to be divested of the world; this is the renunciation of the Gnostics. Higher than it is the renunciation of those brought near (muqarrabun); renunciation of everything besides Allah, including this level of renuunciation has nothng other than reaching Allah and having closeness to Him."

Sahl bin Sa'd al Sa'idi narrated, "A man came to the Messenger of Allah and inquired: "O Messenger of Allah! Guide me to a deed that, if I do it, Allah will love me and the people will love me as well." He (saw) said, "Have renunciation in the world: Allah will love you; have renunciation from what is in the hands of the people: they will love you." (Ibn Majah)

Allah says, 'O You who believe! Indeed the promise of Allah is true, so do not become deceived by the life of the world, do not let delusion deceive you from Allah." (Al Rum: 10)

Allah says, "The life of this world is nothing more than mere jest and play, and indeed, the life of the hereafter is the true life if only but knew." (al ankabut:64)

Allah also says,"Wealth and children are the delight of the life of this world, and the ever remaining righteous acts are better with your Lord in reward and a better hope." (al Kahf: 46)

The Messenger of Allah (saw) also said, "Renunciation of the world is not by making unlawful that which is lawful or wasting wealth. Renunciation is when that which is in Allah's possession is more reliable to you than that which is in your hand, and that the reward for an affliction that strikes you is more desirable to you if it (the affliction) were to remain." (Tirmidhi)

It's practical application:

In this day and age, especially in the west, we need money in order to rent a home, have gas for a car, food, and take care of the family and have a saving for emergency. What we need is what we need, but we don't have to have the most expensive things... It is ok to be a reliable car... like a Honda, but we don't necessarily need a Mercedes... It really about the heart, that our heart is attach to only Allah and His Messenger (SAW)... especially through dhikr and keeping the company of those who remind us of them... And when it comes to our life, we live a minimal lifestyle. Buy only what we need. When we see the poor or a needy person we free our hands and give it to them... Helping out those in need, especially if we are in a position of wealth. Buy your friends gifts every once in a while... So show your love for them...

Zuhd is non attachment to anything that takes us from the remembrance of Allah in our hearts... Living by what we need....

And Allah knows best...

[ummitaalib]

Wa'alaykumus salaam ww

Regarding the hadith posted by brother UntoldTruth on renunciation of the world:

Sahl bin Sa'd al Sa'idi narrated, "A man came to the Messenger of Allah and inquired: "O Messenger of Allah! Guide me to a deed that, if I do it, Allah will love me and the people will love me as well." He (saw) said, "Have renunciation in the world: Allah will love you; have renunciation from what is in the hands of the people: they will love you." (Ibn Majah)

Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat (Hafizahullah) explains it thus:

"TWO IMPORTANT ADVICES"

If you wish to become the beloved of Allah then abstain from the world and do not let it enter your heart.

Shaykh explains that the dunya / world which is condemned in the Qur’an and Hadith is not the dunya which is a necessity to life and living i.e. a house for shelter, a car for transport and even savings for a rainy day. In fact a man may be lord over a whole sultanate. Wealth earned and spent in a halal way and which does not enter the heart is permissible.

For example, a person has earned a large amount of money, however unwittingly, he has earned it in a haram way. When told by a Mufti that this money is impermissible for him, he will not use it and he is a “zaahid fid dunya”, he has abstained from the world. On the other hand a poor person amasses only 5 pounds but in a haram way and keeps it, is a person of the world.

Therefore as long as the dunya remains in the pocket or in a bank account or safe and does not enter the heart of a person, then he is a zaahid fid dunya. If the dunya does become beloved, then let the love of Allah exceed it, i.e. love for the dunya is 48% and love for Allah is 52%. As one strives to attain zuhd, his love for the dunya will decrease and his love for Allah will increase and he will become beloved to Allah.

Striving for the dunya in a permissible way is allowed. Once non-permissible methods of attainment are adopted, then it is the dunya. Zuhd is not about abandoning the family and the earning of halal wealth in favour of living in a cave. A boat is fine as long as it remains on the water. As soon as the water enters the boat, it will sink. Therefore earn the dunya and live it but don’t let it enter the heart or destruction will follow.

Secondly,
If you wish to become beloved to people then do not crave for what they have

If Allah grants someone wealth, fame, name etc. then mubarak to them. It is when we desire for ourselves what belongs to others that jealousy, anger, conniving, fighting etc. will follow. Be content with what you have and people will be comfortable and happy with you and will love you.

[Caliph]

JazakAllahu Khair akhi. Is not Zuhd, the same as tassawuf / sufism? When you abadon worldly gains which you don't require?