Shaikh Muhammad bin Saalih Al-‘Uthaimeen (rahimahullaah) mentioned regarding the aayah in which Allaah, The Most High said:
{ وَلا تَمُدَّنَّ عَيْنَيْكَ إِلَى مَا مَتَّعْنَا بِـهِ أَزْوْاجاً مِّنْهُمْ زَهْرَةَ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا }
((And do not extend your eyes in longing for the things We have given for enjoyment to various groups of them, [its being but] the zahrah (splendour) of worldly life by which We test them)) (Ta-ha: 131)
Meaning:
Do not look at the people of the dunya (i.e. the life of this world) and at that which they have been furnished with from bliss and comfort by way of transportation and attire and dwellings and other than that.
For all of that is from the splendour/inflorescence of the dunya; and the end result of splendour/inflorescence is its withering and wilting and subsequent cessation – and of the petals of foliage they are the swiftest to wither and come to an end.
Due to this; He said: ‘zahrah’ (splendour/inflorescence) – and it is a splendour/inflorescence which is pleasant in its glamour and in its beauty as well as in scent – if it possesses fragrance – however it is swift to wither.
Likewise is the dunya; an inflorescence which withers swiftly.
We ask Allaah to grant us a share as well as a portion in the Hereafter.[1]
(Taken from: Sharh Riyaadh us Saaliheen vol 3 p.45)
[1] Additional point of benefit:
The Shaikh (rahimahullaah) stated in his Tafseer regarding the same aayah:
Meaning: do not extend your eyes in amazement, nor repetitively glance in an agreeable nature at the circumstances of the dunya and at those who are in enjoyment of it. This being by way of the delicious foods and drinks and outstanding attire; and adorned dwellings and beautiful women. For indeed that is all splendour/inflorescence of the life of this world. The souls of the deluded ones rejoice in it and are taken in amazement at the eyes of those who resist; and so the people of wrongdoing partake in enjoyment of it – without paying attention to the Hereafter.
Then it departs quickly and so they all come to pass; and its lover and ardent admirer are wiped out – and so they come to be regretful at a time when regret will be of no benefit; and they shall come to know what they had been upon when they come forward in the Resurrection.
Indeed; Allaah made it as a trial and as a test – to see who comes to a halt at it and so is deluded by it; and who is the best in action, as He The Most High said:
{إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا مَا عَلَى الْأَرْضِ زِينَةً لَّهَا لِنَبْلُوَهُمْ أَيُّهُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا}
((Indeed; We have made that which is on earth as an adornment for it, in order that We may test them (mankind) as to which of them are best in actions)) (Al-Kahf: 7)
(See: Tafseer Ath-Thameen lil-‘Allaamah Al-‘Uthaimeen vol 5 p.316)
JazaakAllaah Khayr for posting this- it is such a beautiful reminder. Indeed, it brings tears to the eyes. I am sick to the hind teeth of hearing people day in day out talking about gaining wealth and the adornments of this world. I started to feel like a failure because I don’t care much for this world and wondered if I should be doing more to attain it like people around me, but that’s only because everyone talks about it as though it’s so important. Then I came across this statement by our Shaykh (rahimahullaah) and it made my day, as it put things back in perspective (alhamdullillaah). Only your good deeds will save you on the Day of Judgement and if this world in the Sight of Allaah, the Most High is more worthless than a dead goat then what reason do we have to chase it?!