The world is a prison

الدنيا سجن المؤمن وجنة الكافر (مسلم)

Translation:

"The world is a prison for the Muslim and a paradise for the Kaafir."

Explanation:

A prisoner is not free in the prison because he cannot live according to his choice there. He can neither eat when he wants nor eat what he wants. He cannot sleep at the time he wants nor is he free in his movements. His life is governed by certain principles, disciplines and regulations. And he cannot say anything regarding these regulations.

This world is a prison for a Muslim in the sense that he is not free to do what he wants. He must lead his life according to what Allah Ta'ala, the Supreme Creator has revealed in the Qur'an-e-Kareem and what Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) presented in practical form which is called the Sunnah. All the movements of a Muslim, his practices and activities in general must be according to what Allah Ta'ala has commanded and what Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) has taught. He is not free to do what he wants. He is not free to eat what he feels is good. There are things that he is not allowed to eat even if he likes them a lot. He can neither drink all types of drinks nor dress however he wishes. He may desire to sleep in the morning but he must make an effort to wake up to perform the Fajr Salah. Sometimes he has to lower his gaze to refrain from looking at certain things which can be very attractive.

A Kaafir is the contrary. The concept of Halaal and Haraam does not exist for him. He leads his life according to his personal pleasure. He does everything which is pleasurable and which he considers profitable even if it may be fatal or harmful, just as he may not hesitate to give up something that does not give him satisfaction which is nevertheless indispensable. Therefore, a Kaafir is free in this Dunya and thus this Dunya is a paradise for him.

The reward and well-being that Allah Ta'ala has reserved for a Muslim in Jannah is beyond our perception. This world, with all its comforts, represents nothing in front of that which Allah Ta'ala has reserved in Jannah. In this aspect, this Dunya is like a prison for a Muslim. And in front of the suffering that a Kaafir will undergo in Jahannam, this world with all its difficulties, will still be like a paradise for him.

[English version of "Le monde li ene prison" – Al Jamiat – Vol.5 No.9]