Hadith #1144

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 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,

مَنِ اسْتَقصَرَ بَقاءَهُ وأجَلَهُ، قَصَّرَ رَجاؤُهُ وأمَلُهُ۔

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of recognizing the fleeting nature of our lives and how it impacts our hopes and aspirations.

Let us delve into the key words of this Hadith to gain a deeper understanding. The word (istaksara) "استقصر" means to consider or regard something as short or fleeting. It implies perceiving the limited duration of our existence. The word (baqā'ahu) "بَقَاءَهُ" refers to one's remaining lifetime or the time they have left in this world. (ajalahu) "أجَلَهُ" refers to the appointed time of death, which is predetermined by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

To comprehend the wise message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us in Surah Al-Asr (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 highlights the fleeting nature of time and the importance of utilizing it wisely for righteous actions and seeking truth.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Mu'minun (23:115), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Did you think that We created you in play (without any purpose), and that you would not be brought back to Us?

This verse reminds us that our existence in this world is not without purpose. We are created for a greater purpose, and our time here is a test to determine our ultimate destiny.

Now, let us reflect on the enlightening message of this Hadith. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, advises us to recognize the fleeting nature of our lives. When we truly understand that our time in this world is limited, it naturally affects our hopes and aspirations.

If we regard our remaining lifetime as short, we become more focused on the hereafter and prioritize our actions accordingly. Our hopes and aspirations shift from worldly pursuits to seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). We become more conscious of our deeds and strive to perform righteous actions, seeking forgiveness for our sins and working towards attaining Paradise.

On the other hand, if we fail to recognize the transient nature of our lives, we may become engrossed in worldly desires and lose sight of our ultimate purpose. Our hopes and aspirations become limited to the materialistic realm, and we may neglect our spiritual growth and the pursuit of eternal success.

This Hadith serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to reflect on the brevity of life and the importance of utilizing our time wisely. It encourages us to prioritize our actions and align our hopes and aspirations with the teachings of Islam. By recognizing the fleeting nature of our existence, we can strive to lead a purposeful life, seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and preparing for the eternal life in the hereafter.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to comprehend the impactful message of this Hadith and inspire us to make the most of our limited time in this world. May He guide us to prioritize our actions and align our hopes and aspirations with the teachings of Islam. Ameen.