Hadith #592

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, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

إجْعَلْ هَمَّكَ وجِدَّكَ لآخِرَتِكَ۔

This can be translated as,

Place your concern and effort for your Hereafter.

Let us delve into the connotation of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (hammak) "هَمَّكَ" in this Hadith refers to one's concern or preoccupation. It signifies the thoughts, worries, and aspirations that occupy our minds and hearts. The word (jiddak) "جِدَّكَ" means effort or endeavor. It implies the actions and exertions that we put forth to achieve our goals. And finally, (akhiratika) "آخِرَتِكَ" refers to the Hereafter, the eternal life that awaits us after death.

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of prioritizing our concerns and efforts towards our Hereafter. It reminds us that while worldly matters may capture our attention and consume our efforts, our ultimate goal should always be the attainment of success in the Hereafter. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the significance of the Hereafter in the Quran.

In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah says, (2:45)

And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive [to Allah]

This verse highlights the need for perseverance and dedication in our worship, which ultimately leads to success in the Hereafter.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Kahf, Allah narrates the story of the two gardens, where one person was solely focused on his worldly possessions and neglected the remembrance of Allah. Allah says, (18:32-34)

And present to them an example of two men: We granted to one of them two gardens of grapevines, and We bordered both with palm trees and placed crops in between them. Each of the two gardens produced its fruit and did not fall short thereof in anything. And We caused to gush forth within them a river. And he had fruit, so he said to his companion while he was conversing with him, 'I am greater than you in wealth and mightier in [numbers of] men'

This story serves as a reminder that worldly possessions and achievements are temporary and fleeting. The true measure of success lies in our dedication to the Hereafter and our relationship with Allah. The man in the story who was solely focused on his worldly possessions suffered a great loss in the end, while the one who recognized the transient nature of worldly wealth and prioritized his Hereafter was granted everlasting success.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith urges us to reflect upon our priorities and align them with the teachings of Islam. It encourages us to invest our time, energy, and resources in actions that will benefit us in the Hereafter. This does not mean neglecting our worldly responsibilities, but rather striking a balance and ensuring that our ultimate goal remains the pleasure of Allah and the attainment of Paradise.

By placing our concern and effort for the Hereafter, we become more conscious of our actions and strive to live a life that is pleasing to Allah. It motivates us to perform acts of worship, seek knowledge, engage in charitable deeds, and maintain good moral character. We become more mindful of our intentions and the consequences of our actions, constantly seeking to improve ourselves and seek forgiveness for our shortcomings.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to prioritize their concerns and efforts towards their Hereafter. It urges us to reflect upon the transient nature of worldly possessions and achievements, and instead focus on actions that will benefit us in the eternal life to come. By aligning our priorities with the teachings of Islam and striving for success in the Hereafter, we can lead a purposeful and fulfilling life in this world and the next. May Allah guide us all to prioritize our Hereafter and grant us success in both worlds.