Is the saying “Work for your worldly life as if you will live forever, and work for your afterlife as if you will die tomorrow” a prophetic hadith?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
This tradition is not authentically attributed to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, as a Marfu‘ (elevated) narration. Rather, it is authentically reported as a saying of Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-Aas, with the wording: "Work for your worldly life as if you live forever, and work for your Hereafter as if you die tomorrow." It has also been narrated with a different wording, attributed as Marfu‘ to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, through a chain of transmission that is not sound. Al-Suyuti indicated its weakness due to the presence of unknown and weak narrators in its chain.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/35455
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