Hadith #1477

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.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

Take the initiative in your affluence before your poverty and while you are alive before your death.

This impactful Hadith emphasizes the importance of seizing opportunities and making the most of our blessings before they are taken away from us.

Let us delve into the meaning of the key words in this Hadith. The word (badir) "بادِرْ" means to hasten or take the initiative. (ghinak) "غِناكَ" refers to affluence or wealth, while (faqrik) "فَقْرِكَ" signifies poverty or destitution. Similarly, (hayatak) "حَيوتَكَ" refers to life, and (mautak) "مَوْتِكَ" means death.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hadid (57:20),

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 highlights the fleeting nature of worldly possessions and the transitory nature of life itself.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Munafiqun (63:9), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns,

O you who have believed, let not your wealth and your children divert you from remembrance of Allah. And whoever does that - then those are the losers.

This verse reminds us that our wealth and worldly attachments should never distract us from our ultimate purpose, which is to worship and remember Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith urges us to be proactive in utilizing our wealth and resources for the betterment of ourselves and others. It encourages us to be generous, charitable, and to invest in acts of goodness before we are faced with poverty or loss. This principle aligns with the teachings of the Quran, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of giving and helping those in need.

In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:274), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Those who spend their wealth [in Allah's cause] by night and by day, secretly and publicly - they will have their reward with their Lord. And no fear will there be concerning them, nor will they grieve.

This verse highlights the immense rewards and blessings that await those who are proactive in their charity and generosity.

The Hadith also reminds us to seize the opportunities of life before it is too late. It urges us to make the most of our time and energy while we are still alive and able-bodied. This aligns with the teachings of the Quran, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of utilizing our time wisely and not procrastinating in matters of faith and righteousness.

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

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 serves as a reminder that time is a precious resource, and we must utilize it to engage in acts of faith, righteousness, and guidance.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith encourages us to reflect upon the fleeting nature of life and the impermanence of worldly possessions. It urges us to be proactive in utilizing our wealth and resources for the betterment of ourselves and others. It also reminds us to seize the opportunities of life and make the most of our time and energy while we still have them. By following these teachings, we can strive to lead a purposeful and fulfilling life, both in this world and the hereafter.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to understand and implement the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and the Quran in our lives. May He bless us with affluence and guide us to utilize it for the betterment of humanity. And may He grant us the ability to make the most of our time and energy in acts of righteousness and worship. Ameen.