Hadith #9501

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 Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), and his noble companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

Whoever feels safe from time is betrayed by it and whoever regards it as great is humiliated by it.

This enlightening saying of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the deceptive nature of time and the consequences of either underestimating or overestimating its power.

Let us delve into the key words of this Hadith. The word (amana) "أمِنَ" means to feel safe or secure, while (az-zaman) "الزَّمانَ" refers to time. The word (khanahu) "خانَهُ" means to betray or deceive, and (a'zamahu) "أعْظَمَهُ" means to regard something as great or mighty.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Asr (103:1-3),

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 ayah emphasizes the fleeting nature of time and the importance of utilizing it wisely for the pursuit of faith, good deeds, and truth.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Kahf (18:45), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns,

And present to them the example of the life of this world, [its being] like rain which We send down from the sky, and the vegetation of the earth mingles with it and [then] it becomes dry remnants, scattered by the winds. And Allah is ever, over all things, Perfect in Ability.

This ayah illustrates the transient nature of worldly life, which can easily deceive and betray those who become attached to it.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder that time is not to be trusted. Those who feel secure and complacent in the passage of time are ultimately betrayed by it. This can be understood in various contexts. For example, a person who neglects their religious duties, thinking they have plenty of time to repent and seek forgiveness, may find themselves facing the consequences of their actions when death approaches suddenly. Similarly, someone who becomes arrogant and proud due to their worldly achievements may find themselves humiliated when their wealth, status, or power diminishes.

On the other hand, those who regard time as great and recognize its fleeting nature are not easily deceived by its allure. They understand the importance of utilizing every moment to seek closeness to Allah, to perform good deeds, and to strive for righteousness. They are mindful of the temporary nature of worldly pleasures and do not become attached to them. Instead, they focus on the eternal rewards of the Hereafter.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) beautiful Hadith serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to be vigilant and mindful of the passage of time. It urges us to prioritize our faith and good deeds, and not to be deceived by the temporary nature of worldly pursuits. By recognizing the true value of time and utilizing it wisely, we can safeguard ourselves from betrayal and humiliation in both this life and the Hereafter.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to understand the true nature of time and the ability to utilize it in a manner that pleases Him. May we be among those who are guided by the Quranic teachings and the wisdom of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). Ameen.