Hadith #4553

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due 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 of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he advises Muslims to acquire from this worldly life what will benefit them in the hereafter. The key words in this Hadith are (tahruzoon) "تَحْرُزُونَ" and (lilbaqaa) "للبَقاءِ".

The word (tahruzoon) "تَحْرُزُونَ" is derived from the root (haraza) "حَرَزَ", which means to hold on to, to protect, or to safeguard. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises Muslims to take from this world what they can hold on to or what will protect them in the future. This implies that we should not be attached to the material possessions of this world, but rather focus on acquiring what will benefit us in the hereafter.

To further understand the meaning of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 201:

And of them there are some who say: 'Our Lord! Give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the torment of the Fire!'

This verse emphasizes the importance of seeking goodness in both this world and the hereafter. It is not wrong to seek provisions and blessings in this life, as long as they are acquired through lawful means and with the intention of using them for the betterment of oneself and others. However, the ultimate goal should always be to seek the eternal blessings of the hereafter.

The second important word in this Hadith is (lilbaqaa) "للبَقاءِ", which means everlasting or eternal. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises Muslims to take from the transient, referring to the temporary nature of this world, for the sake of the everlasting life in the hereafter. This highlights the impermanence of worldly possessions and the importance of focusing on the eternal rewards of the hereafter.

In Surah Al-Kahf, verse 46, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us:

Wealth and children are the adornment of the life of this world. But the everlasting good deeds are better with your Lord for rewards and better in respect of hope.

This verse emphasizes that while wealth and children may be considered as adornments in this worldly life, the true value lies in the everlasting good deeds that we accumulate for the sake of Allah. These good deeds are what will bring us eternal rewards and blessings in the hereafter.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advice in this Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to prioritize their actions and intentions. We should not be overly attached to the material possessions of this world, but instead focus on acquiring what will benefit us in the hereafter. This does not mean that we should completely detach ourselves from this world, but rather strike a balance between seeking provisions for this life and investing in our eternal future.

By following this advice, we can ensure that our actions are aligned with the teachings of the Quran and the guidance of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). We should strive to acquire knowledge, engage in acts of charity, establish strong bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood, and perform righteous deeds that will bring us closer to Allah and secure our place in the everlasting life of the hereafter.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to understand the true value of this world and the hereafter, and guide us to make choices that will benefit us in both realms. Ameen.