The world is a prison for a believer and a Paradise for a non-believer.
It is reported by Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “The world is a prison for a believer and a Paradise for a non-believer.”
The obvious meaning of this Hadith is that a believer’s life is regulated by certain rules and regulations. He begins his day with the prayer and ends it with a prayer, as well as three more prayers at certain intervals during the day. During the month of Ramadan, he keeps away from eating, drinking and certain desires during the day. All through his life he keeps a distinction between Halal and Haram. In this way his life is similar to that of a prisoner who is not free in the prison to act according to his own desires. He is locked and unlocked in his cell, given meals when the authorities choose to do so, allowed time for an open walk or play within the precincts of the prison in accordance with the rules and regulations of the prison, told when to sleep and when to wake up, and so forth. The only difference is that a Muslim accepts a clearly regulated life willingly to get the reward in the Hereafter, while a prisoner abides the rules whether he likes them or not.
But there is another explanation of this Hadith given by Qazi Ibn Hajar Al Makki, a judge in Egypt during the Caliphate.
Once he was heading towards his court wearing a beautiful outfit and riding on a horse. On his way to the court he would pass a Jew who had a small shop where he sold kerosene oil. One day the Jew saw the Qadi coming so he rushed out toward him and stood in the middle of the road to stop the horse.
“What is this matter with you?” the Qazi shouted to him.
He said, “Dear Qazi! Can you not see me in this poor state of life, with my clothes smeared in oil and misery on my face, while you have your best clothes on you and even a horse to ride? But your Prophet has said : The world is a prison for a believer and a Paradise for the non-believer. So who is in prison? Me or you? And who is in paradise? Me or you?
Qazi Ibn Hajar replied to him, “My dear friend! You, with all your seemingly poor state of livelihood and miserable condition, are still in paradise in comparison to what is prepared for the non-believers to suffer later. While I, with all that pomp and glory which I enjoy here, am still in a state of prison in comparison to what Allah has prepared for the believers in the Hereafter; a Paradise where you will enjoy what you have never imagined nor seen nor even thought about.
(see Kasful Khafa by Ijloni)
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