Hadith #1152

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

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to be mindful of the brevity of life and not to be deceived by our physical health and past well-being. The Imam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) urges us to reduce our long-term aspirations and focus on utilizing our short lifespan wisely. This profound advice serves as a reminder for Muslims to prioritize their actions and intentions in this world, as the time we have is limited.

Let us delve into the important words of this Hadith. The word (amalika) "أمَلِكَ" refers to one's hopes or aspirations, while (qasri) "قَصْرِ" means shortening or reducing. (ajalika) "أجَلِكَ" refers to one's lifetime or appointed time. The word (sihhatu) "صِحَّةُ" denotes physical health, and (jismika) "جِسْمِكَ" refers to one's body. (salamatu) "سَلامَةُ" signifies well-being or safety, and (amsika) "أمْسِكَ" refers to yesterday or the past. The Imam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes that life is short, and good health is subject to change.

To understand the wisdom behind this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us 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 ayah highlights the fleeting nature of time and the importance of utilizing it wisely. It serves as a reminder that the true success lies in faith, righteous actions, and mutual guidance towards truth and patience.

Another verse that resonates with the message of this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Mu'minun (23:115), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Did you think that We created you in play (without any purpose), and that you would not be brought back to Us?

This verse reminds us that life is not a mere play or amusement, but a serious test and a means for us to return to our Creator. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing the purpose of our existence and not being deceived by the temporary pleasures of this world.

Reflecting on the Hadith, we can understand that Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is urging us to be mindful of the brevity of life and not to be consumed by our long-term aspirations. While it is important to have goals and ambitions, we should not become so engrossed in them that we lose sight of the present moment and neglect our spiritual growth and well-being.

The Imam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) also warns against being deceived by our physical health and past well-being. Good health is a blessing from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), but it is not guaranteed to last forever. Illness and adversity can strike at any moment, reminding us of our vulnerability and the temporary nature of worldly pleasures. Therefore, we should not rely solely on our physical well-being but strive to strengthen our spiritual connection with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and prepare for the eternal life to come.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to be mindful of the brevity of life and not to be deceived by worldly aspirations and temporary blessings. It urges us to prioritize our actions and intentions, focusing on faith, righteous deeds, and guidance towards truth and patience. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to understand the true purpose of our existence and the ability to utilize our time in this world wisely.