Hadith #9990

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all 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 رَأَى المَوْتَ بِعَيْنِ يَقينِهِ رَاهُ قَريباً۔

This impactful saying can be translated as,

One who sees death with the eyes of his certitude, sees it nearby.

To understand the depth of this Hadith, let us first explore the key words. The word (man) "مَنْ" means "whoever" or "one who." (ra'a) "رَأَى" means "sees," and (al-mawt) "المَوْتَ" means "death." (bi-'ayni) "بِعَيْنِ" means

with the eyes of,

and (yaqinihi) "يَقينِهِ" means "his certitude." Finally, (raahu) "رَاهُ" means "sees," and (qareeban) "قَريباً" means "nearby."

To delve into the meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Ankabut (29:57),

Every soul will taste death. Then to Us will you be returned.

This verse reminds us that death is an inevitable reality that every soul will face. It is a journey that each and every one of us will embark upon, regardless of our status or wealth.

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

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 emphasizes the temporary nature of this worldly life and the true reward that awaits us in the Hereafter.

When Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) says,

One who sees death with the eyes of his certitude, sees it nearby,

he is urging us to reflect upon the certainty of death and the transient nature of this world. It is a call to awaken our consciousness and to prioritize our actions accordingly.

To truly see death with the eyes of certitude means to recognize its inevitability and to live our lives in preparation for it. It means to constantly remind ourselves of the fleeting nature of this world and to strive for righteousness and piety. When we internalize the reality of death, our perspective on life changes. We become more focused on the eternal consequences of our actions and less attached to the temporary pleasures of this world.

This Hadith serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to live a life of purpose and to constantly strive for self-improvement. It encourages us to reflect on our actions and intentions, and to align them with the teachings of Islam. When we see death as a near reality, we are motivated to make the most of our time in this world and to seek forgiveness for our shortcomings.

Moreover, this Hadith also highlights the importance of having certainty in our faith. When we have firm belief in the existence of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and the teachings of Islam, we are able to see death as a natural part of our journey towards our Creator. This certitude gives us the strength and courage to face the challenges of life and to strive for righteousness.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the certainty of death and the need to constantly prepare for it. It urges us to see death as a nearby reality and to live our lives in accordance with the teachings of Islam. By internalizing the transient nature of this world and prioritizing our actions accordingly, we can strive for a meaningful and purposeful life. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to live in constant remembrance of our ultimate destination and to seek His pleasure in all that we do.