ما كُلُّ غائِب يَؤُوبُ۔
Not everything that disappears comes back.
— Imam Ali a.s.
(Ghurar al-Hikam: Opportunity And Its Loss)
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,
ما كُلُّ غائِب يَؤُوبُ۔
which translates to
Not everything that disappears comes back.
This wise utterance holds deep wisdom and carries important lessons for us as Muslims.
Let us delve into the meanings of the key words in this Hadith. The word (gha'ib) "غائِب" refers to something or someone that is absent or hidden from sight. It implies a state of being away or out of sight. The word (ya'ubu) "يَؤُوبُ" means to return or come back. It signifies the act of reappearing or returning to the original state.
To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 156:
Who, when disaster strikes them, say, 'Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return.'
This verse reminds us that everything in this world, including ourselves, ultimately belongs to Allah, and we will all return to Him.
Furthermore, in Surah Al-Ankabut, verse 57, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:
Every soul will taste death. Then to Us will you be returned.
This verse emphasizes the certainty of death and the ultimate return to Allah. It reminds us that life in this world is temporary and fleeting.
Now, let us reflect on the meaning of Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement. The Hadith teaches us that not everything that disappears or goes away will necessarily come back. It serves as a reminder that life is unpredictable, and we cannot always expect things to return to the way they were.
This Hadith holds true in various aspects of our lives. For example, when we lose a loved one, we may yearn for their return, but we must accept that they have departed from this world and will not come back. Similarly, when we miss an opportunity or lose something valuable, we cannot always expect it to be restored to us.
This Hadith also highlights the importance of appreciating the present moment and making the most of it. We should not take things for granted, assuming that they will always be there or that they will return to us. Instead, we should cherish the blessings we have been given and seize the opportunities that come our way.
Moreover, this Hadith reminds us of the transient nature of this world and the importance of focusing on the eternal life to come. Just as things disappear and do not return in this worldly life, we should remember that our true home is with Allah, and our ultimate return is to Him. We should strive to live a life that is pleasing to Him, seeking His forgiveness and mercy, so that we may attain eternal happiness in the Hereafter.
In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ)
Not everything that disappears comes back
serves as a profound reminder for us as Muslims. It teaches us to appreciate the present moment, not to take things for granted, and to focus on our ultimate return to Allah. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to understand the deeper meanings of this Hadith and guide us on the path of righteousness.
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