Hadith #3830

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due 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 Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

Just as the sun and the night do not come together, similarly love for Allah and love for this world do not come together.

This Hadith beautifully captures the essence of the conflict between the love for Allah and the love for the material world.

The word (love) "حُبُّ" in this Hadith refers to the deep affection and attachment one has towards something or someone. It signifies a strong emotional connection and a willingness to sacrifice for the sake of that love. The word (this world) "الدُّنيا" refers to the temporal and material aspects of life, including wealth, possessions, and worldly desires.

To understand the beautiful message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Imran, verse 14:

Beautified for people is the love of that which they desire - of women and sons, heaped-up sums of gold and silver, fine branded horses, and cattle and tilled land. That is the enjoyment of worldly life, but Allah has with Him the best return.

This verse highlights the allure and attractiveness of worldly possessions and desires. People are naturally inclined towards seeking pleasure and satisfaction in material things. However, the Quran reminds us that the true reward lies with Allah, and the love for this world should not overshadow our love for Him.

Another verse that sheds light on the concept of prioritizing the love for Allah over the love for this world is found in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 165:

And [yet], among the people are those who take other than Allah as equals [to Him]. They love them as they [should] love Allah. But those who believe are stronger in love for Allah.

This verse emphasizes the importance of placing Allah at the center of our hearts and giving Him the highest level of love and devotion. It warns against equating the love for worldly things with the love for Allah, as this leads to a distortion in priorities and a deviation from the true path.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith draws a powerful analogy between the sun and the night, which are two contrasting elements that cannot coexist. Similarly, the love for Allah and the love for this world are incompatible. The light of the sun represents the divine guidance and the love for Allah, while the darkness of the night symbolizes the distractions and temptations of the material world.

When we prioritize the love for Allah, we align ourselves with His guidance and seek His pleasure above all else. This love becomes a driving force in our lives, shaping our actions, decisions, and priorities. It motivates us to strive for righteousness, to seek knowledge, and to engage in acts of worship and service to others.

On the other hand, when the love for this world takes precedence, it becomes a barrier between us and Allah. It blinds us to the true purpose of our existence and leads us astray from the path of righteousness. Our desires and attachments to worldly possessions become obstacles in our spiritual journey, preventing us from attaining true happiness and fulfillment.

The consequences of prioritizing the love for this world over the love for Allah are evident in the lives of those who are consumed by materialism. They may accumulate wealth and possessions, but they often find themselves empty and discontented. Their hearts are devoid of true peace and tranquility because they have neglected their relationship with Allah.

In contrast, those who prioritize the love for Allah experience a profound sense of inner peace and contentment. They find joy in their worship, solace in their prayers, and fulfillment in their acts of charity. Their hearts are illuminated with the love of Allah, and this love becomes a source of strength and guidance in their lives.

Reflecting on Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith, we are reminded of the importance of constantly evaluating our priorities and ensuring that our love for Allah remains steadfast and unwavering. We must strive to strike a balance between our worldly responsibilities and our spiritual obligations, always keeping in mind that our ultimate goal is to seek the pleasure of Allah.

May Allah guide us to prioritize His love above all else and grant us the strength to resist the temptations of this world. May He bless us with a deep and sincere love for Him, and may our hearts be filled with His light. Ameen.