Hadith #550

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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

مَنْ عَمَرَ آخِرَتَهُ بَلَغَ آمالَهُ۔

This can be translated as,

One who develops his Hereafter achieves his aspirations.

Let us delve into the essence of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (amara) "عَمَرَ" in this Hadith refers to the act of building, constructing, or developing. It implies that one must actively work towards building their Hereafter, just as one would construct a building. This emphasizes the importance of taking deliberate and conscious actions to improve our spiritual state and prepare for the eternal life to come.

The term (akhiratahu) "آخِرَتَهُ" refers to the Hereafter, the life after death. It encompasses the eternal abode of the soul, where the consequences of our actions in this world will manifest. This Hadith reminds us that our ultimate goal should be to attain success in the Hereafter, as it is the true measure of our achievements.

The word (balagha) "بَلَغَ" means to reach or attain. It signifies that by actively developing our Hereafter, we will be able to reach our aspirations and goals. This implies that our aspirations should be focused on the eternal life rather than the transient pleasures of this world. By prioritizing our spiritual growth and striving for righteousness, we can attain the ultimate success and fulfillment we seek.

The Quran provides numerous verses that support the exegesis of this Hadith. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Taghabun (64:9),

The Day when every soul will find what it has done of good present [before it] and what it has done of evil, it will wish that between itself and that [evil] was a great distance.

This verse emphasizes the importance of developing our Hereafter, as it highlights the regret that individuals will feel for not having done more good deeds in this world.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Ankabut (29:64), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

And this worldly life is not but diversion and amusement. And indeed, the home of the Hereafter - that is the [eternal] life, if only they knew.

This verse reminds us that the pleasures and distractions of this world are temporary, while the true life lies in the Hereafter. By focusing on our eternal abode, we can align our aspirations with the reality of our existence.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims. It urges us to prioritize our spiritual growth and development, recognizing that our true aspirations lie in the Hereafter. By consciously building our Hereafter through acts of worship, kindness, and righteousness, we can attain the ultimate success and fulfillment that we seek. This Hadith motivates us to reflect on our actions, consider the consequences they will have in the Hereafter, and strive to align our aspirations with the eternal reality of our existence.

May Allah (تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to actively develop our Hereafter and achieve our aspirations. May He guide us on the path of righteousness and bless us with success in this world and the Hereafter. And may peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.