Hadith #3658

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, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

الدُّنيا أمَدٌ، اَلآخِرَةٌ أبَدٌ۔

This can be translated as,

This world is limited [in duration], the Hereafter is eternal.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this enlightening saying of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in light of the Quran. The word (amad) "أمَدٌ" in Arabic refers to something that has a fixed duration or a limited period. It implies that the worldly life we experience is temporary and transient. On the other hand, the word (abad) "أبَدٌ" means eternal or everlasting. It signifies the everlasting nature of the Hereafter, which is beyond the confines of time and space.

The Quran provides numerous verses that support the concept of the temporary nature of this world and the eternal nature of the Hereafter. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Taghabun (64:9),

The Day He will gather you for the Day of Assembly - that is the Day of Deprivation. And whoever believes in Allah and does righteousness - He will remove from him his misdeeds and admit him to gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. That is the great attainment.

This verse emphasizes the temporary nature of this world by referring to it as the "Day of Deprivation." It highlights that the true reward and everlasting abode are in the Hereafter. Those who believe in Allah and do righteous deeds will be admitted to gardens of eternal bliss, where they will reside forever. This verse echoes the message of Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) hadith, emphasizing the limited duration of this world and the eternal nature of the Hereafter.

Another verse that supports the concept of the temporary nature of this world is found in Surah Al-Kahf (18:45), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

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 verse beautifully illustrates the fleeting nature of this world by comparing it to rain that nourishes the earth and causes vegetation to grow. However, eventually, the vegetation withers away, scattered by the winds. This analogy serves as a reminder that just as the vegetation of this world fades away, so too will the worldly life come to an end. The Hereafter, however, is everlasting and eternal.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) hadith serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to prioritize the Hereafter over the temporary pleasures and pursuits of this world. It urges us to focus on building our eternal abode by engaging in righteous deeds and seeking closeness to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). This perspective helps us maintain a balanced approach to life, where we fulfill our worldly responsibilities while keeping our ultimate goal of the Hereafter in mind.

Reflecting on this hadith, we can draw inspiration from the life of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) himself. His unwavering commitment to knowledge, justice, and piety exemplifies his understanding of the temporary nature of this world and his unwavering focus on the eternal Hereafter. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) dedicated his life to serving Allah and humanity, seeking the pleasure of Allah rather than the fleeting pleasures of this world.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) hadith serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to prioritize the Hereafter over the temporary nature of this world. It urges us to seek eternal rewards by engaging in righteous deeds and maintaining a balanced approach to life. By reflecting on the Quranic verses that support this concept, we can deepen our understanding of the limited duration of this world and the eternal nature of the Hereafter. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and guidance to live our lives in accordance with these teachings.