Hadith #3655

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due 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) highlights the transient nature of this world and the importance of renouncing its allurements in order to attain true safety and success. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) begins by stating that safety in this world cannot be achieved except through renunciation (zuhd) of its materialistic attractions. This renunciation refers to detachment from worldly possessions and desires, and focusing instead on the pursuit of spiritual growth and the hereafter.

The Imam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) then explains that people are tested in this world through various trials and tribulations. These tests serve as a means of purification and a reminder of the temporary nature of worldly possessions. Those who have taken from this world solely for its sake will eventually be removed from it through death, and they will be held accountable for how they utilized the resources and opportunities bestowed upon them.

On the other hand, those who have utilized the blessings of this world for the sake of the hereafter will be rewarded in the eternal abode. They will be granted entry into the everlasting paradise, where they will reside in eternal bliss. This highlights the importance of using worldly possessions as a means to attain spiritual growth and to fulfill one's obligations towards Allah and His creation.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) then beautifully describes the nature of this world for those who possess wisdom. He compares it to a shade that expands and contracts, symbolizing its fleeting and ever-changing nature. Just as a shade provides temporary relief from the scorching heat, this world offers temporary pleasures and comforts. However, these pleasures are transient and can quickly diminish, just as the shade shrinks and disappears with the passage of time.

The Imam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes that Allah, in His infinite wisdom, has forbidden us from becoming attached to the allurements of this world. He has warned and cautioned us about the deceptive nature of worldly possessions and desires. By doing so, Allah has provided us with clear guidance and has given us the opportunity to prioritize our actions and intentions towards the eternal life.

This hadith serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to adopt the mindset of zuhd (renunciation) in their lives. It urges us to detach ourselves from the materialistic pursuits of this world and to focus on the pursuit of spiritual growth and the hereafter. It teaches us that true safety and success can only be attained by prioritizing the eternal over the temporary.

In the Quran, Allah repeatedly emphasizes the transient nature of this world and the importance of focusing on the hereafter. In Surah Al-Kahf, Allah says, (Quran 18:45)

And present to them the example of the life of this world, [its being] like rain which We send down from the sky, and the vegetation of the earth mingles with it and [then] it becomes dry remnants, scattered by the winds. And Allah is ever, over all things, Perfect in Ability

Similarly, in Surah Al-Hadid, Allah reminds us, (Quran 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 - like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris. And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and approval. And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion

These verses, along with many others in the Quran, serve as a reinforcement of the message conveyed in the hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). They remind us that the attractions and pleasures of this world are temporary and fleeting. True success lies in utilizing the blessings of this world for the sake of the hereafter and in prioritizing the eternal over the temporary.

In conclusion, the hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to detach themselves from the allurements of this world and to prioritize the pursuit of spiritual growth and the hereafter. It urges us to utilize the blessings of this world as a means to attain eternal success and to fulfill our obligations towards Allah and His creation. May Allah grant us the wisdom and strength to implement the teachings of this hadith in our lives.