Hadith #507

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. 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,

لِكُلِّ أحَد سائِقٌ مِنْ أجَلِهِ يَحْدُوهُ۔

This can be translated as,

For everyone there is a driver who drives him towards his death.

This beautiful Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the reality that every individual has a predetermined course in life that ultimately leads to their appointed time of death.

To understand the depth of this statement, let us delve into the meanings of the key words. The word (sa'iqun) "سائِقٌ" refers to a driver or guide who directs and leads someone towards a specific destination. In this context, it symbolizes the unseen forces and circumstances that shape and guide a person's life journey. The word (ajalih) "أجَلِهِ" refers to one's appointed time of death, which is predetermined by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

The concept of predestination and the appointed time of death is mentioned in the Quran as well. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-An'am (6:2),

It is He who created you from clay and then decreed a term (ajal), and a specified time is with Him.

This verse emphasizes that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) is the ultimate authority over life and death, and He has determined a specific time for each individual.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Mu'minun (23:15-16), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

And We have created man from a quintessence of clay. Then We placed him as a drop of sperm in a place of rest, firmly fixed.

These verses highlight the process of human creation and the divine plan behind it. It signifies that every individual is created with a purpose and a destined path that leads to their eventual meeting with death.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder for Muslims to reflect upon the transient nature of life and the inevitability of death. It urges us to contemplate the purpose of our existence and the choices we make along the way. Just as a driver guides a vehicle towards its destination, the unseen forces and circumstances in our lives guide us towards our appointed time of death.

This Hadith also emphasizes the importance of being mindful of our actions and decisions. It reminds us that our choices have consequences and can shape the course of our lives. We should strive to align our actions with the teachings of Islam and seek guidance from the Quran and the example of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ). By doing so, we can ensure that our journey in this world is purposeful and leads us closer to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Reflecting on this Hadith can inspire Muslims to live a life of consciousness and mindfulness. It encourages us to constantly evaluate our actions, seek knowledge, and make choices that are in line with the teachings of Islam. By doing so, we can strive to fulfill our purpose in this world and prepare ourselves for the inevitable journey towards our appointed time of death.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to understand the profound teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and the ability to live a purposeful life that leads us towards His pleasure. May He guide us on the straight path and grant us success in this world and the Hereafter.