Hadith #3605

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 Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

Verily today there is action without accounting and tomorrow [in the Hereafter] there is accounting without action.

This profound statement highlights the importance of our actions in this world and the consequences they will have in the Hereafter.

Let us delve into the key words of this Hadith to gain a deeper understanding. The word (amal) "عَمَلٌ" refers to actions or deeds, while (hisab) "حِسابَ" means accountability or reckoning. The word (ghadan) "غَداً" translates to "tomorrow" and symbolizes the Hereafter, the Day of Judgment.

To comprehend the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Isra (17:13),

And every person's fate We have tied to his neck, and We will produce for him on the Day of Resurrection a record which he will encounter spread open.

This verse emphasizes that every individual will be held accountable for their actions on the Day of Resurrection, where their deeds will be presented before them.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Zalzalah (99:7-8), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

So whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom's weight of evil will see it.

These verses highlight the precision and fairness of Allah's judgment, as even the smallest of actions will be accounted for.

Now, let us reflect on the impactful message conveyed by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in this Hadith. He reminds us that in this world, our actions have consequences, but we may not immediately witness the full extent of their effects. This is the meaning behind

Verily today there is action without accounting.

Our deeds in this life are like seeds that we sow, and their fruits will be harvested in the Hereafter.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) then warns us about the Day of Judgment, symbolized by "tomorrow" in the Hadith, where there will be accounting without the ability to perform any more actions. This highlights the urgency and importance of utilizing our time in this world wisely, as it is our only opportunity to accumulate good deeds and seek forgiveness for our sins.

The consequences of our actions in the Hereafter are described in the Quran in Surah Al-Zumar (39:70), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And those who disbelieved will be driven to Hell in groups until, when they reach it, its gates are opened and its keepers will say, 'Did there not come to you messengers from yourselves, reciting to you the verses of your Lord and warning you of the meeting of this Day of yours?' They will say, 'Yes, but the word of punishment has come into effect upon the disbelievers.'

This Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to be conscious of their actions and to strive for righteousness in this world. It urges us to seize the opportunity to perform good deeds and seek forgiveness, as we will be held accountable for our actions on the Day of Judgment. May Allah (تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to make the most of our time in this world and to be among those who are successful in the Hereafter.