[jimmy28]

Ibraham b. Adham said, "Renunciation (Zudh) is for the heart - not the hand - to be divested of the world; this is the renunciation of the Gnostics. Higher than it is the renunciation of those brought near (muqarrabun); renunciation of everything besides Allah, including this level of renuunciation has nothng other than reaching Allah and having closeness to Him."

Sahl bin Sa'd al Sa'idi narrated, "A man came to the Messenger of Allah and inquired: "O Messenger of Allah! Guide me to a deed that, if I do it, Allah will love me and the people will love me as well." He (saw) said, "Have renunciation in the world: Allah will love you; have renunciation from what is in the hands of the people: they will love you." (Ibn Majah)

Allah says, 'O You who believe! Indeed the promise of Allah is true, so do not become deceived by the life of the world, do not let delusion deceive you from Allah." (Al Rum: 10)

Allah says, "The life of this world is nothing more than mere jest and play, and indeed, the life of the hereafter is the true life if only but knew." (al ankabut:64)

Allah also says,"Wealth and children are the delight of the life of this world, and the ever remaining righteous acts are better with your Lord in reward and a better hope." (al Kahf: 46)

The Messenger of Allah (saw) also said, "Renunciation of the world is not by making unlawful that which is lawful or wasting wealth. Renunciation is when that which is in Allah's possession is more reliable to you than that which is in your hand, and that the reward for an affliction that strikes you is more desirable to you if it (the affliction) were to remain." (Tirmidhi)

It's practical application:

In this day and age, especially in the west, we need money in order to rent a home, have gas for a car, food, and take care of the family and have a saving for emergency. What we need is what we need, but we don't have to have the most expensive things... It is ok to be a reliable car... like a Honda, but we don't necessarily need a Mercedes... It really about the heart, that our heart is attach to only Allah and His Messenger (SAW)... especially through dhikr and keeping the company of those who remind us of them... And when it comes to our life, we live a minimal lifestyle. Buy only what we need. When we see the poor or a needy person we free our hands and give it to them... Helping out those in need, especially if we are in a position of wealth. Buy your friends gifts every once in a while... So show your love for them...

Zuhd is non attachment to anything that takes us from the remembrance of Allah in our hearts... Living by what we need....

And Allah knows best...