Hadith #11162

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.

In this profound hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises the Muslims to be conscious of their duty towards Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) with a deep sense of God-wariness. The Imam uses powerful imagery to convey his message, highlighting the importance of reflecting on the consequences of our actions and the ultimate destination of our souls.

The Imam begins by urging us to think about

returning towards the Hereafter,

which refers to the fact that this worldly life is temporary and that we will eventually return to Allah. This reflection should instill in us a sense of urgency and a desire to prepare for the eternal life to come. Allah reminds us in the Quran, (3:185)

Everyone shall taste death. And only on the Day of Resurrection shall you be paid your wages in full. And whoever is removed away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise, he indeed is successful.

Next, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) draws our attention to

the end [and consequence] of his life's journey.

This phrase emphasizes the importance of considering the outcome of our actions and the impact they will have on our eternal fate. Allah warns us in the Quran, (25:23)

And We shall turn to whatever deeds they (disbelievers, polytheists, sinners) did, and We shall make such deeds as scattered floating particles of dust.

Therefore, it is crucial for us to be mindful of the consequences of our choices and strive to align them with the teachings of Islam.

Furthermore, the Imam mentions

the place of his [final] return,

which refers to the grave and the Day of Judgment. This serves as a reminder that we will ultimately be held accountable for our actions. Allah states in the Quran, (39:31)

Then indeed you, on the Day of Resurrection, before your Lord, will dispute.

Reflecting on this reality should motivate us to rectify our past mistakes and seek forgiveness from Allah.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) concludes the hadith by urging us to increase our righteous actions. This emphasizes the importance of not only avoiding sins but actively engaging in acts of worship and goodness. Allah encourages us in the Quran, (29:7)

And those who believe and do righteous deeds - We will surely remove from them their misdeeds and will surely reward them according to the best of what they used to do.

This hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to be conscious of their duty towards Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and to constantly reflect on the consequences of their actions. It calls upon us to be proactive in rectifying our past mistakes and increasing our righteous deeds. By doing so, we can strive towards attaining success in this life and the Hereafter. May Allah grant us the ability to implement the teachings of this hadith in our lives.