Hadith #10088

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due 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.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

كَمْ مِنْ جامِع ما سَوْفَ يَتْرُكُهُ۔

This can be translated as,

How many a person accumulates that which he will leave behind.

This impactful Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the transient nature of worldly possessions and the importance of focusing on the eternal life to come.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, let us delve into the key words used. The word (jami') "جامِع" refers to the act of accumulating or gathering. It signifies the process of amassing wealth, possessions, and worldly resources. The word (sawfa) "سَوْفَ" means "will" or "shall," indicating the inevitability of leaving behind these accumulated possessions. And finally, (yatrukuhu) "يَتْرُكُهُ" means

he will leave it behind,

emphasizing the fact that no matter how much one accumulates, they will eventually depart from it all.

This Hadith resonates with the teachings of the Quran, which repeatedly reminds us of the fleeting nature of worldly possessions and the importance of focusing on the hereafter. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hadid (57:20),

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.

This ayah reminds us that the material possessions we accumulate in this world are temporary and will eventually fade away. They are like the plants that wither and turn to debris after a short period of growth. Similarly, in Surah Al-Kahf (18:46), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

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.

These verses from the Quran highlight the transient nature of worldly possessions and emphasize the importance of focusing on deeds that will have eternal rewards. The accumulation of wealth and possessions may provide temporary pleasure and status in this world, but it is the enduring good deeds that hold true value in the sight of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to reflect on their priorities and not become overly attached to worldly possessions. It urges us to invest our time and efforts in actions that will benefit us in the hereafter. By focusing on acts of worship, kindness, charity, and seeking knowledge, we can accumulate treasures that will accompany us beyond this transient world.

This Hadith also serves as a motivation to detach ourselves from materialistic pursuits and to seek contentment in simplicity. It encourages us to adopt a mindset of detachment, recognizing that true happiness and fulfillment lie in our connection with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and the pursuit of righteousness.

Moreover, this Hadith has profound consequences on our daily lives. It reminds us to be mindful of our intentions and actions when it comes to wealth and possessions. Instead of hoarding and accumulating for the sake of worldly status, we should strive to utilize our resources in ways that benefit others and bring us closer to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). This can be through acts of charity, supporting those in need, and investing in projects that have a positive impact on society.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we are reminded of the example set by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) himself. Known for his ascetic lifestyle and detachment from worldly possessions, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) demonstrated the importance of prioritizing spiritual growth and knowledge over material wealth. His profound wisdom and knowledge were not derived from material possessions but from his deep connection with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and his unwavering commitment to the teachings of the Quran.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to reflect on the transient nature of worldly possessions and to prioritize the pursuit of eternal rewards. It urges us to detach ourselves from materialistic pursuits and to focus on acts of worship, kindness, and seeking knowledge. By doing so, we can accumulate treasures that will accompany us beyond this temporary world and bring us closer to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to understand and implement the teachings of this Hadith in our lives.