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مَنْ طَلَبَ الدُّنيا بِعَمَلِ الآخِرَةِ،كانَ أبْعَدَ لَهُ مِمّا طَلَبَ۔

Whoever seeks [the profits of] this world through the work of the Hereafter, it takes him further away from that which he seeks.

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Whoever seeks [the profits of] this world through the work of the...

— Imam Ali a.s.
(Ghurar al-Hikam: This World)

Personal Reflection

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 (), his pure Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

Whoever seeks [the profits of] this world through the work of the Hereafter, it takes him further away from that which he seeks.

This amazing Hadith highlights the importance of prioritizing the Hereafter over worldly gains and serves as a reminder for Muslims to focus on the eternal rewards rather than temporary pleasures.

Let us delve deeper into the key words of this Hadith to gain a comprehensive understanding. The word (talaba) "طَلَبَ" means to seek or pursue, while (ad-dunya) "الدُّنيا" refers to the worldly life. (bi'amali) "بِعَمَلِ" translates to

through the work of,

and (al-akhirati) "الآخِرَةِ" refers to the Hereafter. It is important to note that the word (aba'ada) "أبْعَدَ" means to take further away or distance oneself.

To support the exegesis of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 2:207)

And of the people is he who sells himself, seeking means to the approval of Allah. And Allah is kind to [His] servants

This verse emphasizes the importance of seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) rather than worldly gains. It highlights that those who prioritize the Hereafter over this world are the ones who truly benefit.

Another verse that supports the exegesis of this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Kahf, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 18:45)

And present to them the example of the life of this world, [its being] like rain which We send down from the sky, and the vegetation of the earth mingles with it and [then] it becomes dry remnants, scattered by the winds. And Allah is ever, over all things, Perfect in Ability

This verse illustrates the transient nature of worldly possessions and emphasizes the importance of focusing on the everlasting rewards of the Hereafter.

Now, let us reflect on the impactful message of this Hadith. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is reminding us that if we seek the profits and gains of this world through the work and actions that are intended for the Hereafter, it will only distance us further from attaining the true rewards we seek. This is because our intentions and motivations play a crucial role in determining the outcome and acceptability of our actions in the sight of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

For example, if someone engages in acts of worship, such as prayer, fasting, or charity, solely for the purpose of achieving worldly benefits, their focus and intention are misplaced. Instead of drawing closer to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and seeking His pleasure, they become engrossed in worldly gains, which ultimately hinders their spiritual growth and distances them from the true rewards of the Hereafter.

On the other hand, if one performs these acts of worship with the sincere intention of seeking Allah's pleasure and attaining success in the Hereafter, they will be rewarded with both the blessings of this world and the eternal rewards of the Hereafter. By prioritizing the Hereafter and seeking Allah's pleasure, Muslims can attain true success and fulfillment in both worlds.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to prioritize the Hereafter over worldly gains. By seeking the profits of this world through the work of the Hereafter, one only distances themselves further from the true rewards they seek. It is crucial for Muslims to align their intentions and actions with the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), focusing on the eternal rewards rather than temporary pleasures. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and guidance to prioritize the Hereafter and seek His pleasure in all our endeavors.

. : . (Readers are advised to verify the sources mentioned above, and to independently research for an accurate understanding of Hadith. Remember, personal research and seeking guidance from scholars are essential in gaining a better insight. Please, do contact us if you find any wrong citations or explanations.)

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