What is the authenticity of the saying: "Work for your worldly life as if you will live forever"?
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Question:
Who says that there is a hadith reported in the wording: "Work for your worldly life as if you will live forever"?
Answer:
This is narrated from 'Ali. If it were authentic, it would not contradict this: "Work for your Hereafter as if you will die tomorrow, and work for your worldly life as if you will live forever." This is from the words of some of the Salaf, and it is not to be taken in its absolute sense.
Q: And what is the correct meaning?
A: The meaning is, provided it does not contradict the Shari'ah. It is not as if he says, "I will leave my children and I am not a merchant, for I am afraid I will die early!" No, trade and work, and do not say, "I will die early," but prepare for the Hereafter as if you will die early, and work for the worldly life as if you will live for two years or a hundred years. Praise be to Allah.
Who says that there is a hadith reported in the wording: "Work for your worldly life as if you will live forever"?
Answer:
This is narrated from 'Ali. If it were authentic, it would not contradict this: "Work for your Hereafter as if you will die tomorrow, and work for your worldly life as if you will live forever." This is from the words of some of the Salaf, and it is not to be taken in its absolute sense.
Q: And what is the correct meaning?
A: The meaning is, provided it does not contradict the Shari'ah. It is not as if he says, "I will leave my children and I am not a merchant, for I am afraid I will die early!" No, trade and work, and do not say, "I will die early," but prepare for the Hereafter as if you will die early, and work for the worldly life as if you will live for two years or a hundred years. Praise be to Allah.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.