Hadith #7610

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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of safeguarding our time and ensuring that it is not wasted in activities that do not contribute to our spiritual growth and obedience to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Let us delve deeper into the words of this Hadith and explore its essence in light of the Quran.

The word (ihfaz) "اِحْفَظْ" in the Hadith means to guard or protect. It implies a sense of vigilance and mindfulness in preserving something valuable. Here, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) urges us to guard our (umrak) "عُمْرَكَ", which refers to our lifetime or the span of our existence. This highlights the significance of time in the life of a Muslim and the need to utilize it wisely.

The Hadith warns against (tadhiy') "التَّضْييعِ" which means wasting or squandering. It cautions us against allowing our time to be wasted in pursuits that do not bring us closer to Allah or fulfill our obligations as Muslims. Instead, we are encouraged to dedicate our time to acts of worship and obedience to Allah.

To understand the importance of this guidance, let us turn to the Quran for further enlightenment. In Surah Al-Asr (103:1-3), Allah says,

By time, indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.

This verse emphasizes the value of time and highlights that the majority of people are in a state of loss, except those who believe, perform righteous deeds, and encourage one another towards truth and patience.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Mu'minun (23:115), Allah states,

Did you think that We created you in play (without any purpose), and that you would not be brought back to Us?

This verse reminds us that our creation is not without purpose, and we will be held accountable for how we spend our time in this world.

Reflecting on the Hadith, we realize that wasting our time in activities that do not contribute to our spiritual growth and obedience to Allah can have severe consequences. It can lead to a neglect of our duties as Muslims, a weakening of our relationship with Allah, and a loss of opportunities for reward and blessings.

For instance, spending excessive time on idle talk, entertainment, or worldly pursuits can distract us from fulfilling our obligations such as performing prayers, seeking knowledge, and engaging in acts of charity. It can also hinder our spiritual progress and prevent us from attaining closeness to Allah.

On the other hand, utilizing our time in acts of worship and obedience to Allah brings numerous benefits. It strengthens our faith, purifies our hearts, and increases our knowledge and understanding of Islam. It allows us to seek forgiveness, develop good character, and strive for excellence in all aspects of our lives.

Moreover, dedicating our time to acts of worship and obedience to Allah enables us to fulfill our responsibilities towards our families, communities, and society at large. It empowers us to make positive contributions and bring about positive change in the world.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to guard their lifetime and ensure that it is not wasted in activities that do not contribute to their spiritual growth and obedience to Allah. By utilizing our time wisely and dedicating it to acts of worship and obedience, we can fulfill our obligations as Muslims, strengthen our relationship with Allah, and strive for excellence in all aspects of our lives. May Allah grant us the wisdom and determination to make the best use of our time and seek His pleasure in all that we do.