Hadith #5879

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.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the relationship between the value of something that is competed for and the difficulty of losing it. Let us delve into the deeper meanings of the words used in this Hadith and explore its profound implications in light of the Quran.

The key words in this Hadith are (azhuma) "عَظُمَ" which means "becomes great" or "increases in value," (ash-shay'i) "الشَيْءِ" which means "the thing," (al-munafasi) "المُنافَسِ" which means

that is competed for,

(ar-razziyyah) "الرَّزِيَّةُ" which means "the difficulty," and (li-faqdihi) "لِفَقْدِهِ" which means "of losing it."

To understand the meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Imran (3:14):

Beautified for people is the love of that which they desire - of women and sons, heaped-up sums of gold and silver, fine branded horses, and cattle and tilled land. That is the enjoyment of worldly life, but Allah has with Him the best return.

This verse highlights the natural inclination of human beings to desire and compete for worldly possessions, such as wealth, status, and material possessions. These things often hold great value in the eyes of people, and the more they are competed for, the greater their perceived worth becomes. However, the Quran reminds us that the enjoyment of worldly life is temporary and fleeting, and the true return lies with Allah.

Another verse that sheds light on the concept mentioned in the Hadith is Surah Al-Hadid (57:20), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) 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. And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and approval. And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion.

This verse emphasizes the transient nature of worldly possessions and the futility of competing for them. It reminds us that the true purpose of life lies in seeking the pleasure of Allah and preparing for the Hereafter. The competition for worldly gains may seem enticing and valuable, but in reality, it is merely an illusion that distracts us from the ultimate truth.

Now, let us reflect on the deeper meaning of Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) words. The Hadith teaches us that as the value of something that is competed for increases, the difficulty of losing it also intensifies. This principle applies not only to material possessions but also to intangible aspects of life, such as knowledge, reputation, and relationships.

For instance, if we consider the pursuit of knowledge, the more valuable and sought-after knowledge becomes, the greater the effort and dedication required to acquire and retain it. Similarly, in the realm of relationships, the more we value and cherish our loved ones, the more difficult it becomes to bear the thought of losing them.

This Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to prioritize their pursuits and attachments. While it is natural to desire and compete for worldly possessions, we must remember that true value lies in seeking the pleasure of Allah and striving for the eternal rewards of the Hereafter. The more we attach ourselves to the transient and perishable, the greater the difficulty we will face when we inevitably lose them.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the relationship between the value of something that is competed for and the difficulty of losing it. It reminds us to reflect on our attachments and priorities in life, and to seek the eternal rewards of the Hereafter rather than being solely preoccupied with worldly gains. May Allah guide us to the path of righteousness and grant us the wisdom to understand the true value of things in this world.