Hadith #10447

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 of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he states,

ظَلَمَ نَفْسَهُ مَنْ رَضِيَ بِدارِ الْفَناءِ عِوَضاً عَنْ دارِ الْبَقاءِ۔

This statement highlights the grave injustice one commits against oneself by being content with the temporary abode of this world, instead of striving for the everlasting abode in the hereafter.

Let us delve into the meanings of some key words in this Hadith. The word (zalam) "ظَلَمَ" means to oppress or wrong oneself. It refers to the act of depriving oneself of the true and eternal blessings by settling for the fleeting pleasures of this world. The word (dar al-fana) "دارِ الْفَناءِ" refers to the temporary abode, the world we live in, which is transient and will eventually perish. On the other hand, the phrase (dar al-baqaa) "دارِ الْبَقاءِ" refers to the everlasting abode, the hereafter, where the believers will reside eternally.

To understand the beautiful message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us in Surah Al-Imran, Ayah 185:

Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained [his desire]. And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion.

This verse emphasizes the transient nature of this world and highlights the importance of striving for the eternal rewards of the hereafter. Those who settle for the temporary pleasures of this world, without seeking the everlasting abode, have indeed oppressed themselves. They have deprived themselves of the true purpose of their existence and the eternal bliss that awaits them.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Kahf, Ayah 46, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states:

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 the material possessions and worldly relationships we acquire in this life are merely temporary adornments. They should not distract us from our ultimate goal of seeking the pleasure of Allah and striving for righteous deeds that will benefit us in the hereafter. By being content with the transitory pleasures of this world, we oppress ourselves and neglect the everlasting rewards that await us.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) enlightening Hadith serves as a wake-up call for all Muslims. It urges us to reflect on our priorities and to strive for the eternal abode rather than being complacent with the temporary pleasures of this world. By focusing on the hereafter, we can ensure that our actions are aligned with the pleasure of Allah and that we are not unjust to ourselves by settling for less.

This Hadith reminds us of the importance of seeking knowledge and understanding the true purpose of our existence. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) was known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, and his teachings continue to guide and inspire Muslims to this day. By reflecting on his words and contemplating the Quranic verses that support his message, we can strive to live a life that is focused on the eternal abode and not be unjust to ourselves by settling for the temporary pleasures of this world.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and guidance to prioritize the hereafter and not be unjust to ourselves. May we constantly strive for the everlasting abode and seek the pleasure of Allah in all our actions. Ameen.