Hadith #523

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. May peace and blessings be upon the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure family (Ahl al-Bayt), and his noble companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes three important qualities that a Muslim should strive to possess: anticipating death, rejecting false aspirations, and sincerity in actions. Let us delve into the exegesis of this profound Hadith in light of the Quran.

Firstly, let us examine the key words in this Hadith. The word (ajal) "أجَلَ" refers to death or the appointed time of death. The word (amal) "أمَلَ" means aspirations or hopes. And the word (amal) "عَمَلَ" denotes actions or deeds.

Anticipating death is a crucial aspect of a believer's life. It reminds us of the transient nature of this world and the inevitability of our return to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). The Quran emphasizes the importance of remembering death in Surah Al-Hashr (59:18), where Allah says,

O you who have believed, fear Allah. And let every soul look to what it has put forth for tomorrow - and fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do.

By anticipating death, we become more conscious of our actions and strive to make the most of our time in this world. It serves as a motivation to prioritize our deeds and seek forgiveness for our shortcomings. This anticipation also helps us detach from worldly desires and focus on the eternal life to come.

The rejection of false aspirations is another significant aspect highlighted in this Hadith. False aspirations refer to unrealistic hopes and desires that distract us from the true purpose of our existence. The Quran warns against such delusions in Surah Al-Hadid (57:20), where Allah says,

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.

False aspirations often lead to disappointment and dissatisfaction, as they are based on temporary and fleeting pleasures. By rejecting these false hopes, we can redirect our focus towards seeking the pleasure of Allah and striving for eternal rewards. This requires introspection and aligning our aspirations with the teachings of the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).

The third quality emphasized in this Hadith is sincerity in actions. Sincerity refers to performing deeds solely for the sake of Allah, seeking His pleasure and not the recognition or praise of others. The Quran emphasizes the importance of sincerity in Surah Al-Zumar (39:11-12), where Allah says,

Say, 'Indeed, I have been commanded to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion. And I have been commanded to be the first [among you] of the Muslims.'

Sincerity purifies our intentions and ensures that our actions are in line with the teachings of Islam. It prevents us from seeking worldly gains or showing off, as Allah is the All-Knower of what is hidden in our hearts. Sincere actions have a profound impact on our spiritual growth and contribute to the betterment of society.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a comprehensive guide for Muslims. It reminds us to anticipate death, reject false aspirations, and make our actions sincere. By internalizing these qualities, we can lead a purposeful and righteous life, seeking the pleasure of Allah and preparing for the eternal life to come. May Allah grant us the ability to embody these qualities and attain His mercy.