Hadith #10010

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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

وافِدُ المَوْتِ يَقْطَعُ العَمَلَ، ويَفْضَحُ الأمَلَ۔

This thought-provoking saying of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the transformative impact of death on our actions and the exposure of false hopes.

Let us delve into the important words of this Hadith. The word "وافِدُ" refers to the arrival or advent of death. It signifies the moment when death approaches and becomes imminent. "المَوْتِ" means death itself, the cessation of life in this world. "يَقْطَعُ" means to cut off or sever, indicating that death puts an end to our ability to perform actions in this worldly life. Finally, "يَفْضَحُ" means to expose or reveal, suggesting that death exposes the true nature of our hopes and aspirations.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Mu'minun (23:99-100),

Until, when death comes to one of them, he says, 'My Lord, send me back that I might do righteousness in that which I left behind.' No! It is only a word he is saying; and behind them is a barrier until the Day they are resurrected.

These verses highlight the regret and longing for another chance to do righteous deeds that a person experiences at the moment of death. However, the response from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) makes it clear that there is no return after death. This emphasizes the importance of utilizing our time in this world wisely and not relying on false hopes of future opportunities.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Kahf (18:105), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

They are those who deny the signs of their Lord and the meeting with Him. So their deeds have become worthless, and We will not assign to them on the Day of Resurrection any importance.

This verse highlights the consequence of denying the signs of Allah and the meeting with Him. Such denial renders one's deeds worthless, indicating that the actions performed without true faith and understanding will hold no value on the Day of Resurrection. It further reinforces the notion that the arrival of death cuts off the ability to perform actions and exposes the futility of false hopes.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we realize that death is a reminder of the transient nature of this worldly life. It serves as a wake-up call to prioritize our actions and intentions, ensuring that they align with the teachings of Islam. It urges us to seize every opportunity to do good, for we do not know when death will arrive and cut off our ability to act.

Moreover, this Hadith reminds us to be vigilant in examining our hopes and aspirations. We must ensure that our hopes are grounded in the teachings of Islam and the promise of the Hereafter, rather than being based on worldly desires and materialistic pursuits. By doing so, we protect ourselves from the disappointment and regret that come with the exposure of false hopes at the time of death.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the transformative impact of death on our actions and the exposure of false hopes. It serves as a reminder to utilize our time wisely, prioritize righteous deeds, and align our hopes with the teachings of Islam. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and guidance to live a life that is pleasing to Him and prepare for the inevitable arrival of death.