Hadith #3803

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due 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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns us about the deceptive nature of this world and how it entices people with its superficial attractions. Let us delve deeper into the words of this Hadith and explore its essence in light of the Quran.

The word (tazayyanat) "تَزَيَّنَتِ" in the Hadith refers to the act of adorning or embellishing oneself. It signifies the allure and attractiveness that this world presents to individuals. The word (ghururiha) "غُرُورِهَا" means deception or delusion. It highlights the illusory nature of the world's attractions, which can lead people astray from the path of righteousness.

Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us about the deceptive nature of this world in several verses of the Quran. In Surah Al-Hadid (57:20), Allah says,

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...

This verse emphasizes that the worldly pleasures are temporary and fleeting, designed to distract us from the ultimate purpose of our existence, which is to worship Allah and seek His pleasure.

Similarly, in Surah Al-Imran (3:185), Allah states,

Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained [his desire]. And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion?

This verse reminds us that the true reward and fulfillment lie in the hereafter, and the attractions of this world are merely illusory pleasures that can lead us astray if we become too attached to them.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further warns us about the deceptive nature of the world's embellishments. These embellishments can take various forms, such as wealth, power, beauty, and material possessions. They may seem appealing and desirable, but they are transient and do not bring lasting happiness or contentment.

For instance, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us in Surah Al-Kahf (18:46),

Wealth and children are [but] adornment of the worldly life. But the enduring good deeds are better to your Lord for reward and better for [one's] hope.

This verse emphasizes that true adornment lies in righteous deeds and the pursuit of spiritual growth, rather than in the accumulation of worldly possessions.

The consequences of being deceived by the embellishments of this world are grave. If we become too attached to materialistic pursuits and neglect our spiritual development, we risk losing sight of our true purpose in life. Our focus shifts from seeking the pleasure of Allah to chasing after temporary pleasures that hold no real value in the grand scheme of things.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) urges us to be vigilant and not be swayed by the deceptive allure of this world. By recognizing the transitory nature of worldly attractions and prioritizing our spiritual growth, we can safeguard ourselves from being led astray.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we should strive to strike a balance between our worldly responsibilities and our spiritual obligations. We should not become so engrossed in the pursuit of material wealth and pleasures that we lose sight of our ultimate goal, which is to attain the pleasure of Allah and secure our place in the eternal abode of Paradise.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to see through the deceptions of this world and guide us on the straight path. May He help us prioritize our spiritual growth and grant us success in both this world and the hereafter. Ameen.