Hadith #1403

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

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he beautifully expresses the stark contrast between misery and felicity, and between death and life. Let us delve deeper into the meanings of the important words in this Hadith.

The word (bu's) "بُؤسُ" refers to misery, distress, or hardship. It signifies a state of extreme suffering and anguish. On the other hand, (na'eem) "نَعِيم" refers to felicity, bliss, or happiness. It represents a state of utmost joy and contentment.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) then draws our attention to the proximity of these two contrasting states. He emphasizes that misery is very close to felicity, and death is very close to life. This highlights the transient nature of both misery and felicity, and the inevitable reality of death.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Al-Inshiqaq (84:6-7), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

O mankind, indeed you are laboring toward your Lord with [great] exertion and will meet it.

These verses remind us of the continuous struggle and effort we put forth in this worldly life, striving to attain success and happiness. However, true felicity lies in the meeting with our Lord, in the hereafter.

Similarly, in Surah Al-Ankabut (29:64), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

And this worldly life is not but diversion and amusement. And indeed, the home of the Hereafter - that is the [eternal] life, if only they knew.

This verse reminds us that the pleasures and joys of this world are temporary and fleeting, while the true and everlasting life is in the Hereafter.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) enlightening Hadith serves as a reminder to Muslims of the transient nature of worldly happiness and the inevitability of death. It urges us to reflect upon the true purpose of our existence and to prioritize the eternal life over the temporary pleasures of this world.

This Hadith encourages us to seek true felicity by focusing on our spiritual growth and preparing for the meeting with our Lord. It reminds us that the hardships and trials we face in this world are a means to attain a higher rank in the Hereafter. Just as felicity is closer to misery, the rewards and blessings of the Hereafter are closer to us than we may realize.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) deep understanding and knowledge of the Quranic teachings enable him to convey profound wisdom through this concise statement. As Muslims, we should reflect upon the transient nature of worldly happiness and the inevitability of death, and strive to live a life that is pleasing to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in order to attain true felicity in the Hereafter.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to understand the deeper meanings of His words and the guidance to live a life that leads to eternal felicity.