Hadith #621

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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

There is no benefit in working for the Hereafter while having desire for this world.

This beautiful Hadith highlights the importance of sincerity and purity of intention in our actions and worship. Let us delve deeper into the words of this Hadith and explore its implications in light of the Quran.

The key words in this Hadith are (la yanfa'u) "لايَنْفَعُ", which means

there is no benefit,

(al-'amal) "العَمَلُ", which means "action" or "work," (lil-akhirah) "لِلآخِرَةِ", which means "for the Hereafter," and (ar-raghbah) "الرَّغْبَةِ", which means "desire" or "attachment," and (fi ad-dunya) "في الدُّنيا", which means "in this world."

To understand the enlightening message of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says 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 worldly possessions and desires are merely temporary adornments, while the deeds performed with sincerity and for the sake of Allah are the ones that truly hold value in the sight of our Lord.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qasas (28:77), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

But seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter; and [yet], do not forget your share of the world. And do good as Allah has done good to you. And desire not corruption in the land. Indeed, Allah does not like corrupters.

This verse reminds us to strike a balance between our worldly responsibilities and our pursuit of the Hereafter. It encourages us to utilize the blessings bestowed upon us by Allah for the betterment of both our worldly life and our eternal life.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder that our actions and worship should be solely dedicated to seeking the pleasure of Allah and attaining success in the Hereafter. It warns against the detrimental effects of harboring attachment and desire for worldly gains while claiming to work for the Hereafter.

When we perform acts of worship, such as prayer, fasting, or giving in charity, our intention should be solely for the sake of Allah and the attainment of His pleasure. If our actions are tainted with desires for worldly recognition, wealth, or status, then they lose their true value and become devoid of benefit in the Hereafter.

For example, if someone prays with the intention of showing off or seeking praise from others, their prayer loses its sincerity and becomes a mere display. Similarly, if someone gives in charity to gain social status or to be seen as generous, their act of charity loses its true essence and becomes a means of self-glorification.

The consequences of working for the Hereafter while having a desire for this world are twofold. Firstly, it diminishes the sincerity of our actions, rendering them void of any spiritual reward. Secondly, it leads to a divided heart and a distracted focus, preventing us from fully dedicating ourselves to the worship of Allah and the pursuit of the Hereafter.

Reflecting on this Hadith, Muslims are reminded to constantly evaluate their intentions and purify their hearts. We must strive to align our actions with the teachings of the Quran and the example of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ). By doing so, we can ensure that our actions are solely for the sake of Allah, free from any worldly desires, and truly beneficial for our eternal life.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to purify our intentions and dedicate our actions solely to seeking His pleasure and the success of the Hereafter. May He guide us to be steadfast in our worship and protect us from the distractions of this world. Ameen.