Please mention the reference and Arabic text of this quote?
“The world is three days; As for yesterday, it has vanished along with all that came with it. As for tomorrow, you may never see it and as for today, it is yours so work on it”
Answer
Imams Abu Bakr ibn Abid Dunya and Bayhaqi (rahimahumallah) have recorded this as the statement of Hasan Al Basri (rahimahullah).
(Kitabuz Zuhd of Ibn Abid Dunya: 513-514 and Kitabuz Zuhd of Bayhaqi: 485)
Arabic text
This narration has been recorded with slight variation in the wording. See both versions below:
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عن الحسن قال الدنيا ثلاثة أيام أما أمس فقد ذهب بما فيه وأما غدا فلعلك لا تدركه واليوم فاعمل فيه
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إنما الدنيا ثلاثة أيام مضى أمس بما فيه وغدا لعلك لا تدركه فانظر ما أنت عامل في يومك
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar,
I have heard this as the statement of Sayyiduna ‘Ali (radiyallahu’anhu) as well, but could not locate it in the reliable sources of the Ahlus Sunnah. Therefore it would be better to cite is as quoted above.