Hadith #9992

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the 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,

مَنْ ذَكَرَ المَنِيَّةَ نَسِيَ الأُمْنِيَّةَ۔

This can be translated to mean,

One who remembers death forgets his aspirations.

Let us delve into the meaning of the important words in this Hadith. The word (dhakara) "ذَكَرَ" means to remember or to mention. (al-maniyyah) "المَنِيَّةَ" refers to death or the certainty of death. And (al-umniyyah) "الأُمْنِيَّةَ" refers to aspirations or desires.

To understand the beautiful message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. 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 of the importance of being mindful of our actions and the consequences they may have in the hereafter.

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

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 emphasizes the need to prioritize the remembrance of Allah over worldly pursuits, as they can distract us from our ultimate goal of attaining closeness to Him.

Reflecting on these Quranic verses, we can understand the deeper meaning of Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith. When we constantly remember death, we are reminded of the temporary nature of this worldly life and the importance of preparing for the hereafter. This remembrance serves as a powerful motivation to focus on our spiritual growth and to prioritize our actions in accordance with the teachings of Islam.

By remembering death, we are reminded of the fleeting nature of our desires and aspirations in this world. Our worldly ambitions may consume us and lead us astray from the path of righteousness. However, when we are mindful of death, our perspective shifts, and we become more conscious of the eternal consequences of our actions.

For example, if a person is engrossed in accumulating wealth and material possessions, they may neglect their obligations towards Allah and their fellow human beings. But when they remember death, they realize that their wealth will be of no use to them in the grave, and their focus shifts towards using their resources for the betterment of society and the attainment of Allah's pleasure.

Similarly, someone who is consumed by their desires and ambitions may lose sight of the higher purpose of their existence. However, when they remember death, they are reminded that their time in this world is limited, and they must strive to fulfill their responsibilities towards Allah and their fellow Muslims.

The consequences of forgetting death and being solely focused on worldly aspirations can be detrimental to our spiritual well-being. We may become attached to this temporary life, neglecting our duties towards Allah and failing to prepare for the everlasting life of the hereafter. This forgetfulness can lead to a loss of faith, a decline in moral values, and a lack of accountability for our actions.

In contrast, when we remember death, we become more conscious of our actions and strive to align them with the teachings of Islam. We become more focused on fulfilling our obligations towards Allah, seeking His forgiveness, and working towards the betterment of ourselves and society.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the importance of remembering death and its profound impact on our aspirations and actions. By constantly keeping death in mind, we are motivated to prioritize our spiritual growth, fulfill our obligations towards Allah, and strive for the eternal rewards of the hereafter. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to remember death and live a life that is pleasing to Him.