Hadith #3394

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 Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

Verily that which you send forth of good actions will be preserved for you and that which you delay [or postpone] will benefit other than you.

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of taking timely action and not delaying acts of goodness.

Let us first examine the key words in this Hadith. The word (tuqaddimu) "تُقَدِّمُ" means to send forth or to advance. It refers to performing good deeds promptly and not procrastinating. The word (dhukruhu) "ذُخْرُهُ" means to preserve or save. It signifies that the reward of the good actions performed promptly will be preserved for the person who performs them. On the other hand, the word (tu'akhkhiruhu) "تُؤَخِّرُهُ" means to delay or postpone. It implies that if one delays performing good actions, the reward of those actions will be given to someone else.

This Hadith is in line with the teachings of the Quran, which repeatedly emphasizes the importance of taking timely action and not delaying acts of goodness. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hadid (57:21),

Race toward forgiveness from your Lord and a Garden whose width is like the width of the heavens and earth, prepared for those who believed in Allah and His messengers. That is the bounty of Allah which He gives to whom He wills, and Allah is the possessor of great bounty.

This verse encourages us to hasten towards seeking forgiveness and performing good deeds, as the reward is immense.

In another verse, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Asr (103:1-3),

By time, indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.

This verse highlights the importance of taking timely action and performing righteous deeds, as it is the path to salvation.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to seize opportunities and not delay acts of goodness. It teaches us that the rewards of our good actions are preserved for us when we act promptly. By performing good deeds without delay, we not only benefit ourselves but also contribute to the well-being of others.

For example, if we have the means to help someone in need, it is important to do so immediately rather than postponing it. By doing so, we not only alleviate the suffering of the person in need but also secure the reward for ourselves. Similarly, if we have the opportunity to perform acts of worship, such as prayer or charity, we should not delay them, as the rewards are multiplied when performed promptly.

On the other hand, if we delay or postpone acts of goodness, we risk losing the reward, as it may be given to someone else. This highlights the importance of being proactive and not wasting opportunities to do good. It also reminds us to be mindful of our intentions and not to let laziness or procrastination hinder our progress in the path of righteousness.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the significance of taking timely action and not delaying acts of goodness. It aligns with the teachings of the Quran, which repeatedly encourages Muslims to race towards performing good deeds and seeking forgiveness. By understanding and implementing this Hadith in our lives, we can strive to be proactive in our pursuit of righteousness and secure the rewards of our good actions. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to act promptly and continuously in the path of goodness.