Hadith #514

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,

ما أقْرَبَ الأجَلَ مِنَ الأمَلِ۔

This can be translated into English as,

How close hope is to death!

This thought-provoking Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the delicate balance between hope and the inevitability of death.

In this Hadith, the word (aqraaba) "أقْرَبَ" means "closer" or "more imminent." It emphasizes the proximity of something, in this case, death. The word (al-ajal) "الأجَلَ" refers to the appointed time of death, which is predetermined by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Lastly, the word (al-amal) "الأمَلِ" means "hope" or "expectation."

To understand the meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Anfal (8:24),

O you who have believed, respond to Allah and to the Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you life.

This verse reminds us that true life lies in responding to the call of Allah and His Messenger, rather than being consumed by worldly desires and false hopes.

Additionally, in Surah Al-Munafiqun (63:9), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns,

O you who have believed, let not your wealth and your children divert you from remembrance of Allah. And whoever does that - then those are the losers.

This verse serves as a reminder that placing excessive hope in worldly possessions and relationships can distract us from the remembrance of Allah and ultimately lead to loss.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement highlights the fleeting nature of worldly hopes and desires. While hope can be a driving force in our lives, it is essential to recognize its limitations and not become consumed by it. Death is an inevitable reality that awaits every soul, regardless of their hopes and aspirations.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we can understand that Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is urging us to prioritize our spiritual journey and prepare for the meeting with our Creator. It serves as a reminder to strike a balance between hope in the Hereafter and the temporary nature of this worldly life.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) possessed immense knowledge and wisdom, and his words carry great weight. By acknowledging the proximity of hope to death, he encourages us to redirect our hopes towards the eternal life in the Hereafter. This Hadith serves as a call to action, urging us to focus on our spiritual growth, perform righteous deeds, and seek forgiveness from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) before it is too late.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ)

How close hope is to death!

reminds us of the transient nature of worldly hopes and the importance of prioritizing our spiritual journey. It serves as a profound reminder to strike a balance between our aspirations in this life and our ultimate goal of attaining success in the Hereafter. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith and guide us on the path of righteousness.