Hadith #565

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,

مَنْ أكْثَرَ مِنْ ذِكْرِ الآخِرَةِ قَلَّتْ مَعْصِيَتُهُ۔

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of increasing our remembrance of the Hereafter, as it leads to a reduction in our transgressions.

Let us delve into the key words of this Hadith to gain a deeper understanding. The word (dhikr) "ذِكْرِ" refers to remembrance or mention. In the context of this Hadith, it signifies the remembrance of the Hereafter, which encompasses reflecting upon the reality of the afterlife, the accountability we will face, and the eternal rewards and punishments.

The word (al-akhirah) "الآخِرَةِ" refers to the Hereafter, the life that awaits us beyond this temporary world. It is a realm of eternal consequences, where our actions in this world will determine our fate. Remembering the Hereafter means keeping it in our thoughts, contemplating its significance, and striving to align our actions with its principles.

The Hadith states that by increasing our remembrance of the Hereafter, (qallat ma'siyatuhu) "قَلَّتْ مَعْصِيَتُهُ", meaning our transgressions reduce. This implies that when we actively remember the Hereafter, it serves as a deterrent for sinful behavior. The more we focus on the eternal consequences of our actions, the less likely we are to engage in disobedience to Allah.

This profound teaching of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) finds support in numerous verses of the Quran. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hashr (59:18),

O you who have believed, fear Allah. And let every soul look to what it has put forth for tomorrow - and fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do.

This verse reminds us to be conscious of our actions and their consequences in the Hereafter.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Imran (3:185), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained [his desire]. And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion.

This verse highlights the temporary nature of this worldly life and the ultimate reward or punishment that awaits us in the Hereafter.

Reflecting on these Quranic verses in light of Imam Ali's Hadith, we understand that increasing our remembrance of the Hereafter has profound implications for our actions and choices in this world. When we constantly remind ourselves of the eternal consequences, it motivates us to prioritize obedience to Allah and avoid sinful behavior.

For example, when faced with the temptation to engage in dishonesty, a person who remembers the Hereafter will be reminded of the severe consequences of lying and cheating. This remembrance will serve as a deterrent, reducing the likelihood of transgressing the boundaries set by Allah.

Moreover, the remembrance of the Hereafter instills a sense of accountability within us. We become conscious that our actions are not limited to this worldly life but will be evaluated in the presence of Allah. This awareness encourages us to strive for righteousness, as we seek to secure a favorable outcome in the Hereafter.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that increasing our remembrance of the Hereafter leads to a reduction in our transgressions. By constantly reflecting upon the reality of the Hereafter, contemplating its consequences, and aligning our actions with its principles, we are motivated to prioritize obedience to Allah and avoid sinful behavior. May Allah (تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to remember the Hereafter and strive for righteousness in all aspects of our lives.