Hadith #28

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,

إِذَا كُنْتَ فِي إِدْبَارٍ وَالْمَوْتُ فِي إِقْبَالٍ فَمَا أسْرَعَ الْمُلْتَقَى۔

This can be translated as,

When you are running away from the world and death is approaching, there is no question of delay in the encounter.

Let us delve into the deeper meanings of this profound statement in light of the Quran. The word (idbaar) "إِدْبَارٍ" refers to running away or turning away from something. It signifies a deliberate choice to distance oneself from the materialistic and worldly pursuits. On the other hand, (iqbaal) "إِقْبَالٍ" means approaching or coming closer to something. In this context, it represents the inevitable approach of death, which is an undeniable reality for every human being.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Qasas (28:77),

But seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter; and [yet], do not forget your share of the world. And do good as Allah has done good to you. And desire not corruption in the land. Indeed, Allah does not like corrupters.

This verse emphasizes the importance of seeking the hereafter while not neglecting our responsibilities in this world. It encourages us to strike a balance between our spiritual aspirations and our worldly obligations. However, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith reminds us that there comes a time when we must prioritize our eternal destination over the transient pleasures of this world.

In Surah Al-Mumtahanah (60:8), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes - from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.

This verse teaches us the importance of maintaining good relations with those who do not oppose us based on our faith. However, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith reminds us that despite the importance of maintaining worldly relationships, there will come a time when we must detach ourselves from the distractions of this world and focus on our ultimate meeting with death.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a powerful reminder of the transient nature of this world and the certainty of death. It urges us to reflect upon our priorities and make conscious efforts to detach ourselves from the materialistic pursuits that distract us from our spiritual journey. By recognizing the inevitability of death, we are motivated to prepare ourselves for the eternal life that awaits us.

This Hadith also highlights the urgency of meeting death with readiness and preparedness. It reminds us that there is no room for delay or procrastination when it comes to our encounter with death. We must strive to live a life of righteousness, constantly seeking forgiveness and repentance, and ensuring that we are prepared to meet our Creator at any given moment.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a wake-up call for all Muslims. It reminds us to prioritize our spiritual journey over the distractions of this world. By recognizing the certainty of death and the transient nature of worldly pursuits, we are motivated to lead a life of righteousness and prepare ourselves for the eternal life that awaits us. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to heed this profound advice and strive for success in both this world and the hereafter.