“Were the world to be worth, in the sight of Allah, even the wing of a mosquito, He would not have given a disbeliever a single sip of water from it.”

Narrated by al-Tirmidhī (no. 2320, the wording is his), and Ibn Mājah (no. 4110), from the narration of Sahl ibn Saʿd — may Allah be pleased with him.
Authenticated in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Jāmiʿ (no. 5292) and Silsilat al-Aḥādīth al-Ṣaḥīḥah (no. 943).

Brief Explanation of the Hadith

The Prophet — may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him — warned against being deceived by this world and becoming attached to it, clarifying its worthlessness and insignificance, so that people may renounce it and work for the Hereafter. Among such reports is what was narrated by Sahl ibn Saʿd — may Allah be pleased with him — that the Prophet — may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him — said: “If this world were to equal with Allah the wing of a mosquito…” That is to say: this world holds no value with Allah. Were it to possess with Him even the weight of a mosquito’s wing — that insignificant, tiny creature — He would not have granted the disbeliever the least enjoyment of it, nor given him even a single sip of water.
Rather, Allah granted the disbelievers their share of worldly enjoyment despite their enmity toward Him, because it is a paltry, insignificant portion without real worth. As for His allies, He withheld it from them as a means of protection and preservation, sparing them from being stained by its adornments. The Prophet — may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him — informed that the world is a prison for the believer and a paradise for the disbeliever. Thus, Prophetic teaching is united in clarifying its worthlessness, its fleeting nature, and its utter insignificance before Allah.
In this ḥadīth is a reminder to the believer that attachment of the heart to the world is in fact an exaltation of that which Allah has belittled. It further clarifies the true nature of this world, urging renunciation of it, sufficing with little from it, and turning away from pursuing it. It also demonstrates the pedagogical use of parables and examples in conveying knowledge

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