أعْمالُ العِبادِ فِي الدُّنيا نَصْبُ أعْيُنِهِمْ فِي الآخِرةِ۔
The actions of servants in this world are [brought] before their eyes in the Hereafter.
— Imam Ali a.s.
(Ghurar al-Hikam: Actions And Deeds)
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,
أعْمالُ العِبادِ فِي الدُّنيا نَصْبُ أعْيُنِهِمْ فِي الآخِرةِ۔
This Hadith highlights the significance and consequences of our actions in this world, as they will be presented before us in the Hereafter.
Let us delve into the meaning of some key words in this Hadith. The word "أعْمالُ" refers to the actions or deeds performed by the servants of Allah. These actions encompass all aspects of our lives, including our thoughts, words, and deeds. The word "العِبادِ" refers to the servants of Allah, which includes all human beings who worship and submit to Him.
The phrase "فِي الدُّنيا" means "in this world." It emphasizes that our actions are performed and witnessed in the temporal realm. However, the phrase "نَصْبُ أعْيُنِهِمْ" is particularly profound. It can be translated as
brought before their eyes
or
placed in front of their sight.
This implies that our actions are not only recorded but will also be presented vividly before us in the Hereafter.
To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Zalzalah (99:7-8),
So whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom's weight of evil will see it.
This verse highlights the individual accountability of every person for their actions. It emphasizes that even the smallest of deeds, whether good or evil, will be made apparent to us on the Day of Judgment.
Furthermore, in Surah Al-Isra (17:13), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,
And [for] every person We have imposed his fate upon 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 each individual will be presented with their own record of deeds on the Day of Resurrection. It further emphasizes the clarity and visibility of our actions in the Hereafter.
Reflecting on the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in light of these Quranic verses, we understand that our actions in this world hold great significance. They are not mere fleeting moments, but rather, they have a lasting impact on our eternal life in the Hereafter. Just as a person's gaze is fixed upon something placed directly in front of their eyes, our actions will be presented before us in a manner that we cannot ignore or escape.
This Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to be conscious of their actions and to strive for righteousness in all aspects of their lives. It motivates us to be mindful of our intentions, words, and deeds, knowing that they will be brought forth and displayed before us in the Hereafter. It encourages us to seek forgiveness for our shortcomings and to rectify our actions while we still have the opportunity in this world.
The consequences of this Hadith are profound. It instills a sense of accountability within us, reminding us that our actions have consequences and will be held against us on the Day of Judgment. It encourages us to lead a life of righteousness, knowing that our actions will be a means of either reward or punishment in the Hereafter.
In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to be mindful of their actions in this world. It highlights the significance and consequences of our deeds, as they will be presented before us in the Hereafter. This Hadith, when pondered upon, motivates us to strive for righteousness, seek forgiveness, and rectify our actions while we still have the chance. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all to the straight path and grant us success in this world and the Hereafter.
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