(55) Chapter: Excellence of Leading an Ascetic Life, and Virtues of Simple Life

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Verily! The world is accursed and what it contains is accursed, except remembrance of Allah and those who associate themselves with Allah; and a learned man, and a learning person."

[At-Tirmidhi].

Commentary:
1. This Hadith does not mean that this world is totally condemned. What it really means is that such things of this world are cursed which take a person away from Allah and make him careless about his obedience. Thus, anything of this world can be good and evil. For instance, worldly goods are auspicious if one acquires them through lawful means and spends them in a permissible manner, otherwise, they are condemnable. Similar is the case of other things of this world.

2. That knowledge is good which brings one closer to Allah and is a source of benefit for mankind, otherwise, it is also condemnable.

3. This Hadith also brings into prominence the distinction of men of learning, especially scholars of religious disciplines.