Hadith #3930

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 progeny, and his noble companions.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he advises Muslims to not seek worldly gains through the deeds of the Hereafter, and to not prioritize the temporary over the eternal. He describes this behavior as the trait of the hypocrites and the character of the apostates.

Let us delve into the deeper meanings of the important words used in this Hadith. The word (taltemisi) "تَلْتَمِسِ" means to seek or solicit, while (ad-dunya) "الدُّنيا" refers to the worldly life. The phrase (bi'amalil-akhirah) "بِعَمَلِ الآخِرَةِ" means through the deeds of the Hereafter, indicating that one should not use their good deeds intended for the Hereafter as a means to gain worldly benefits.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) also warns against preferring the transient over the eternal. The word (al-'ajilah) "العاجِلَةَ" refers to the immediate or temporary, while (al-'ajilah) "الآجِلَةِ" refers to the eternal or everlasting. This emphasizes the importance of prioritizing the everlasting rewards of the Hereafter over the temporary pleasures and gains of this world.

To further understand the wisdom behind Imam Ali's advice, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Kahf (18:46):

Wealth and children are [but] adornment of the worldly life. But the enduring good deeds are better to your Lord for reward and better for [one's] hope.

This verse reminds us that material possessions and worldly achievements are merely temporary adornments, while the good deeds performed for the sake of Allah are what truly matter and bring eternal rewards.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qasas (28:60), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns against those who are deceived by the allure of this world:

But whoever desires the Hereafter and exerts the effort due to it while he is a believer - it is those whose effort is ever appreciated [by Allah].

This verse emphasizes the importance of prioritizing the Hereafter and exerting effort for its sake, rather than being consumed by worldly desires and pursuits.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the dangers of seeking worldly gains through the deeds of the Hereafter and prioritizing the temporary over the eternal. This behavior is characteristic of the hypocrites and apostates, who claim to believe in the Hereafter but are driven by their worldly desires and interests. Such individuals may perform good deeds, but their intentions are tainted by their desire for worldly benefits, thus nullifying the sincerity of their actions.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advice serves as a reminder for Muslims to constantly evaluate their intentions and motivations. We should strive to perform good deeds solely for the sake of Allah, seeking His pleasure and the eternal rewards of the Hereafter. By doing so, we align ourselves with the true believers who prioritize the everlasting over the temporary, and who are not swayed by the temptations of this world.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) profound Hadith reminds us of the importance of sincerity and prioritizing the Hereafter over worldly gains. We should strive to perform good deeds solely for the sake of Allah, seeking His pleasure and the eternal rewards that await us. May Allah guide us to always prioritize the eternal and protect us from the temptations of this world.