إنَّكَ لَنْ يُغْنِيَ عَنْكَ بَعْدَ المَوْتِ إلاّ صالِحُ عَمَل قَدَّمْتَهُ، فَتَزَوَّدْ مِنْ صالِحِ العَمَلِ۔
Verily nothing but the good deeds that you sent forward will be of any benefit to you after your death, so gather the provision of good deeds.
— Imam Ali a.s.
(Ghurar al-Hikam: Actions And Deeds)
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 us about the importance of good deeds in the afterlife. Let us delve into the meaning of the important words in this Hadith and explore its profound implications in the light of the Quran.
The word (salih) "صالِحُ" in the Hadith refers to righteous or good deeds. These are actions that are performed in accordance with the teachings of Islam, seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). These deeds are not only beneficial in this world but also hold great significance in the hereafter.
Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of good deeds in numerous verses of the Quran. For example, in Surah Al-Kahf, Allah says, (Quran 7:8)
And those whose scales are heavy [with good deeds] - it is they who are the successful
This verse highlights that on the Day of Judgment, the weight of our good deeds will determine our success.
Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hadid, Allah says, (Quran 57:11)
Who is it that would loan Allah a goodly loan so He may multiply it for him many times over? And it is Allah who withholds and grants abundance, and to Him you will be returned
This verse emphasizes the concept of investing in good deeds, as Allah promises to multiply the reward for those who lend Him a goodly loan.
Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder that our worldly possessions and achievements will not benefit us after death. It is only the good deeds that we have sent forward in this life that will be of any value in the hereafter. This Hadith encourages us to prioritize our actions and focus on accumulating a provision of good deeds.
The consequences of neglecting good deeds and focusing solely on worldly matters are highlighted in the Quran. In Surah Al-Munafiqun, Allah says, (Quran 63:9)
O you who have believed, let not your wealth and your children divert you from remembrance of Allah. And whoever does that - then those are the losers
This verse warns us against being distracted by worldly pursuits and neglecting the remembrance of Allah.
Reflecting on this Hadith, we realize that our actions in this world have a direct impact on our eternal life. It serves as a motivation to engage in acts of worship, such as prayer, charity, and kindness towards others. These righteous deeds not only benefit us in this life but also serve as a provision for the afterlife.
Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, reminds us that our ultimate success lies in the accumulation of good deeds. By prioritizing our actions and striving to perform righteous deeds, we can ensure a prosperous future in the hereafter.
In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the significance of good deeds in the afterlife. It serves as a reminder that our worldly possessions and achievements hold no value in the hereafter. Only the good deeds that we have sent forward will benefit us after death. Let us heed this advice and strive to gather a provision of good deeds, seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and securing our eternal success.
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