Hadith: Indeed, this world is cursed, and everything in it is cursed, except for the remembrance of Allah, what aligns with it, and a scholar or a knowledge seeker

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضيَ اللهُ عنهُ سمعتُ رَسُولَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يقولُ:
«أَلاَ إِنَّ الدُّنْيَا مَلْعُونَةٌ، مَلْعُونٌ مَا فِيهَا، إِلاَّ ذِكْرُ اللهِ وَمَا وَالاَهُ وَعَالِمٌ أَوْ مُتَعَلِّمٌ».
[حسن] - [رواه الترمذي وابن ماجه] - [سنن الترمذي: 2322]

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say:
"Indeed, this world is cursed, and everything in it is cursed, except for the remembrance of Allah, what aligns with it, and a scholar or a knowledge seeker."
[Good hadith] - [Narrated by At-Termedhy & Ibn Majah] - [Sunan At-Termedhy - 2322]

Explanation

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informed that the world and everything in it are detested by Allah, deemed blameworthy, forsaken, distanced, and whatever is in it is forsaken and not to be praised. This is because the world and everything in it distracts from Allah Almighty and leads away from Him, except for the remembrance of Allah and what aligns with and resembles it, which Allah loves, or a scholar well versed in religious knowledge who teaches it to people, or a knowledge seeker seeking such knowledge.

Benefits from the Hadith

1. It is not permissible to curse the world unconditionally, as there are Hadīths that prohibit this. However, it is permissible to curse aspects of the world that lead away from Allah Almighty and distract from His obedience.
2. Everything in this world is mere play and amusement, except for the remembrance of Allah and what serves as a cause or aid in that.
3. Clarifying the merit of knowledge, scholars, and students.
4. Ibn Taymiyyah said: What is dispraised of the world is that which is unlawful in any form, or lawful if pursued for the sake of competition and pride, or what is acquired for the sake of boasting and disputing. Such things are detested by those who have understanding.