Life in this world is sweet and green, and indeed, Allah has made you successors there to see how you will behave. So, be cautious of this world and be cautious of women
Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Life in this world is sweet and green, and indeed, Allah has made you successors there to see how you will behave. So, be cautious of this world and be cautious of women, for indeed, the first temptation of the children of Israel was due to women."
Attribution: Narrated by Muslim
Grade: Authentic
Explanation
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) clarifies that this worldly life has a sweet taste and looks green and alluring. Hence, man gets deceived by this worldly life, indulges in its pleasures, and makes it his biggest concern. Allah Almighty has made us successors of one another in this worldly life to see how we behave; and whether we obey or disobey Him. Then he said: Beware of being deceived by the worldly pleasures and adornment that will cause you to abandon Allah's commands and fall into His prohibitions. Among the gravest worldly trials that one must beware of is women's temptation, which was the first temptation the children of Israel fell into.
Benefits
It encourages adherence to piety without being preoccupied with worldly pleasures and adornment.
Warning against being tempted by women either through gazing, allowing them to mingle with foreign men, etc.
Women's temptation is among the gravest worldly trials.
Taking lessons from the previous nations, such as what happened to the Children of Israel could happen to others as well.
In the case of the wife, a woman's temptation might be by asking her husband what he cannot afford, thus, distracting him from seeking religious affairs and urging him to exert himself in seeking this world. As for the foreign woman, her temptation lies in alluring men and making them deviate from the truth when she goes out and mixes with them, particularly if she is not wearing Hijāb and is exposing her adornment. This might lead to falling into various degrees of adultery. So, the believer must hold onto Allah and ask Him to save him from their temptation.
