Hadith #3762

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.

In this profound hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) describes the call of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) to the believers towards the eternal abode, the permanent residence, and the great blessings that come with it. The Imam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the proximity to the Prophets and the felicitous ones, indicating the elevated status and honor that awaits those who respond to this divine call.

However, the Imam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) laments that the believers have sinned and turned away from this call. Instead of striving for the eternal abode and the blessings of proximity to the Prophets and the felicitous ones, they have been enticed by the allure of this temporary world. This world, with all its materialistic attractions, calls them towards an abode of wretchedness, the place of annihilation, and various types of tribulations and hardships.

To understand the depth and significance of this hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance and illumination. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly reminds us of the transient nature of this world and the importance of focusing on the eternal abode. In Surah Al-Qasas, verse 60, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 28:60)

And whatever thing you [people] have been given - it is [only for] the enjoyment of worldly life and its adornment. And what is with Allah is better and more lasting; so will you not use reason?

This verse reminds us that the pleasures and adornments of this world are temporary and fleeting. They are merely a means of enjoyment in this worldly life. However, what Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) has in store for us in the eternal abode is far superior and everlasting. It is a call to use our intellect and reason to prioritize the eternal over the temporary.

Another verse that resonates with the message of this hadith is found in Surah Al-Hadid, verse 20, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 57:20)

Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children - like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris. And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and approval. And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion.

This verse beautifully encapsulates the fleeting nature of this world and its allurements. It compares the worldly life to a rain that brings temporary pleasure and growth to the tillers, but eventually dries up and turns into scattered debris. The verse reminds us that the true purpose of life lies in the Hereafter, where there is severe punishment for those who turn away from the call of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), but also forgiveness and approval for those who respond to it.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in this hadith highlights the consequences of our choices. By turning away from the call of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) towards the temporary pleasures of this world, we subject ourselves to an abode of wretchedness, the place of annihilation, and various types of tribulations and hardships. On the other hand, by responding to the call of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and prioritizing the eternal abode, we attain proximity to the Prophets and the felicitous ones, and we are blessed with everlasting blessings.

This hadith serves as a powerful reminder for us as Muslims to reflect on our choices and priorities. It urges us to detach ourselves from the materialistic allurements of this world and focus on the eternal abode. It encourages us to seek the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and strive for the company of the Prophets and the felicitous ones. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to heed this call and make choices that lead us to the eternal abode of bliss.