Hadith #3808

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

كُلُّ أرْباحِ الدُّنيا خُسْرانٌ۔

This can be translated into English as,

Every profit of this world is a loss.

To understand the significance behind this statement, let us delve into the key words and their implications.

The word (arbaah) "أرباح" refers to profits or gains, while (ad-dunya) "الدنيا" refers to the transient world we live in. The word (khasran) "خسران" means loss or detriment. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is highlighting the inherent nature of worldly gains, emphasizing that they ultimately lead to loss and disappointment.

This beautiful saying of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) finds support in the Quranic verses that remind us of the fleeting nature of worldly possessions and the importance of focusing on the eternal rewards of the Hereafter. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Imran, verse 185:

Everyone shall taste death. And only on the Day of Resurrection shall you be paid your wages in full. And whoever is removed away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise, he indeed is successful. The life of this world is only the enjoyment of deception.

This verse highlights the temporary nature of worldly gains and emphasizes the ultimate reward that awaits believers in the Hereafter. It reminds us that true success lies in attaining Paradise and being saved from the torment of the Fire.

Another verse that supports the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is found in Surah Al-Kahf, verse 46:

Wealth and children are the adornment of the life of this world. But the good righteous deeds that last, are better with your Lord for rewards and better in respect of hope.

This verse emphasizes that material wealth and worldly possessions may be seen as adornments in this life, but they pale in comparison to the everlasting rewards of good deeds in the sight of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It reminds us that the true value lies in our actions and the deeds that we carry forward into the Hereafter.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to prioritize their focus and efforts on the eternal realm rather than being consumed by the pursuit of worldly gains. It urges us to reflect on the consequences of our actions and the true purpose of our existence.

When we become too attached to the material possessions and gains of this world, we risk losing sight of our ultimate goal, which is to seek the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and attain success in the Hereafter. By recognizing the transient nature of worldly gains, we can redirect our efforts towards accumulating good deeds and seeking the eternal rewards promised by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a powerful motivation for Muslims to detach themselves from the allure of materialism and focus on the pursuit of spiritual growth and righteousness. It reminds us that true success lies in investing in the Hereafter, where our deeds and actions will be rewarded in full.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ)

Every profit of this world is a loss

serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to prioritize their focus and efforts on the eternal realm. It urges us to reflect on the transient nature of worldly gains and redirect our efforts towards accumulating good deeds and seeking the eternal rewards promised by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May we all strive to detach ourselves from the allure of materialism and invest in the Hereafter, where true success lies.