Hadith #1121

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the transient nature of human hopes and the inevitability of death. Let us delve into the exegesis of this profound statement in light of the Quran.

The Hadith begins by stating,

Indeed man reaches near [the realization of] his hopes, when the [sudden] approach of his death cuts them short.

Here, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the fleeting nature of human aspirations. We often strive towards achieving our goals and dreams, investing time, effort, and emotions into them. However, just when we believe we are close to realizing our hopes, death approaches and abruptly ends our journey. This serves as a reminder of the ephemeral nature of worldly pursuits and the ultimate reality of our mortality.

The phrase

then - Glory be to Allah!

expresses the profound realization that all hopes and aspirations are ultimately in the hands of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It is He who determines the course of our lives and the fulfillment of our desires. We are reminded of the verse in the Quran where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 76:30)

And you do not will except that Allah wills

Our hopes and desires are subject to His divine decree, and it is through His will that they are either realized or cut short.

The Hadith continues,

Neither is the hope realized nor is the hoper spared.

This statement encapsulates the reality that death spares no one, regardless of their hopes, dreams, or aspirations. It serves as a reminder of the verse in the Quran where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 3:185)

Every soul will taste death

Death is an inevitable reality that awaits every human being, regardless of their achievements or unfulfilled aspirations.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we are reminded of the importance of prioritizing our actions and intentions in light of the transient nature of life. We should strive to align our hopes and aspirations with the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and the pursuit of the eternal life in the Hereafter. The Quran repeatedly emphasizes the importance of focusing on the Hereafter and seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) over worldly desires. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 28:77)

But seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter; and [yet], do not forget your share of the world

Furthermore, this Hadith serves as a reminder of the temporary nature of our worldly hopes and the need for detachment from material possessions and desires. The Quran advises us to not be deluded by the fleeting nature of this world and to focus on the eternal rewards of the Hereafter. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 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

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder of the transient nature of human hopes and the inevitability of death. It calls upon us to prioritize our actions and intentions in light of the eternal life in the Hereafter. May we strive to align our hopes and aspirations with the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and seek His mercy and forgiveness in this world and the Hereafter.