Hadith #4765

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. Peace and blessings be upon Muhammad, his family, his companions, and the righteous successors.

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

مَنْ غَرَّهُ السَّرابُ تَقَطَّعَتْ بِهِ الأسْبابُ۔

This can be translated as,

One who is deceived by the mirage [of this world], the means [of attaining prosperity in the Hereafter] are cut off for him.

To understand the connotation of this Hadith, let us first analyze the key words used. The word (sarab) "سَرَابُ" refers to a mirage, which is an optical illusion that appears in the desert, giving the false impression of water. It symbolizes the deceptive nature of worldly desires and pleasures. The word (asbab) "أَسْبَابُ" means means or ways, indicating the various means through which one can attain success in the Hereafter.

This Hadith highlights the danger of being deceived by the temporary attractions and illusions of this world. It warns us that if we become captivated by the mirage of worldly pleasures, we will lose sight of the means to attain prosperity in the Hereafter. It serves as a reminder for Muslims to prioritize their spiritual journey and not be distracted by the fleeting pleasures of this world.

The Quran provides us with several verses that support the message of this Hadith. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hadid (57:20),

Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children - like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris. And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and approval. And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion.

This verse emphasizes the temporary nature of worldly pleasures and warns us against being deceived by their allure. It reminds us that the true purpose of life is to seek the pleasure of Allah and prepare for the eternal life in the Hereafter. If we are engrossed in the pursuit of worldly desires, we will lose sight of the means to attain success in the Hereafter.

Another verse that complements the message of this Hadith 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 illustrates the transient nature of worldly life by comparing it to rain that brings temporary growth to the earth, but eventually dries up and becomes scattered debris. It serves as a reminder that the pursuit of worldly pleasures should not distract us from our ultimate goal of attaining success in the Hereafter.

Reflecting on the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and the supporting Quranic verses, we are reminded of the importance of maintaining a balanced perspective on worldly matters. While it is natural to enjoy the blessings of this world, we must not allow ourselves to be deceived by its illusions. We should prioritize our spiritual growth, seeking the means to attain success in the Hereafter.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) possessed immense knowledge and wisdom, which is evident in this Hadith. His words serve as a guide for Muslims to navigate the challenges of this world and remain focused on the ultimate goal of attaining prosperity in the Hereafter. May Allah (تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to recognize the mirage of this world and strive for success in the Hereafter.