Hadith #3646

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be 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 Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the transient nature of this worldly life and the reality of its blessings. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) begins by stating that with every drink in this world, there is choking (ghassaq) and with every food eaten, there is blockage of the throat (ghassaq). These words convey the idea that even the most basic and necessary actions in this life come with difficulties and challenges.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) then goes on to explain that no blessing is obtained from this world except by separation from another blessing. This means that in order to attain one blessing, we often have to let go of another. This can be understood in various aspects of life. For example, in order to pursue a successful career, one may have to sacrifice time spent with family and loved ones. Similarly, in order to acquire wealth, one may have to compromise on their moral values. This highlights the transient nature of worldly blessings and the sacrifices that come with them.

To support this understanding, we can turn to the Quran. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 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 emphasizes that the pleasures of this world are temporary and fleeting, and the true and everlasting reward lies with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further states that a person does not come to a new day of their life except by leaving behind another day. This highlights the passage of time and the inevitability of aging. Each new day brings us closer to the end of our lives, and we leave behind the days that have passed. This should serve as a reminder for us to make the most of our time in this world and to strive for righteousness and good deeds.

The Quran also emphasizes the fleeting nature of life and the passage of time. In Surah Al-Asr, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 103:1-3)

By time, indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience

This verse reminds us of the importance of utilizing our time wisely and engaging in actions that bring us closer to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) concludes by stating that no sign of a person is left alive in this world but that another sign of them passes away. This signifies the transient nature of our existence and the inevitability of death. Every individual leaves behind a legacy, whether it be through their actions, words, or impact on others. However, even these signs eventually fade away with time.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we are reminded of the impermanence of this world and the importance of focusing on the eternal life to come. It serves as a reminder to prioritize our actions and intentions, seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) rather than being consumed by the temporary pleasures and distractions of this world.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the transient nature of this worldly life and the reality of its blessings. It reminds us to be mindful of the sacrifices that come with worldly pursuits and to prioritize our actions and intentions for the eternal life to come. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to understand the true nature of this world and the ability to strive for righteousness and good deeds.