Hadith #547

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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

في الآخِرَةِ حِسابٌ ولاعَمَلٌ۔

This translates to,

In the Hereafter there is accounting without action.

To understand the significance of this statement, let us delve into the important words and their implications.

The word (hisab) "حِسابٌ" refers to the process of accountability and reckoning. It signifies the evaluation and judgment of our actions in the Hereafter. This implies that every individual will be held accountable for their deeds, and their actions will be thoroughly examined.

On the other hand, the word (la'amal) "لاعَمَلٌ" means "without action" or "without deeds." This phrase suggests that in the Hereafter, there will be no opportunity to perform any actions or deeds that could alter our fate. It emphasizes the finality and irrevocability of the consequences of our actions in this world.

To further comprehend the significance of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Al-Imran (3:30), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

On the Day when every soul will find present what it did of good and what it did of evil, it will wish that between itself and that [evil] was a great distance.

This verse highlights the accountability that awaits us in the Hereafter. Our actions, whether good or evil, will be presented before us, and we will long for a separation from the consequences of our wrongdoings.

Additionally, in Surah Al-Mu'minun (23:102-103), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

Then those whose scales are heavy [with good deeds], it is they who will be the successful. But those whose scales are light [with evil deeds], it is they who have lost their souls, [being] in Hell, abiding eternally.

These verses emphasize the importance of our deeds and their impact on our eternal destiny. The weight of our actions will determine our success or failure on the Day of Judgment.

Now, reflecting upon the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), we understand that although there will be a meticulous accounting of our deeds in the Hereafter, there will be no opportunity to rectify or alter our fate. This highlights the utmost importance of our actions in this world. We must strive to perform righteous deeds and avoid sinful actions, as they will have everlasting consequences.

Imam Ali's wise utterance serves as a reminder for Muslims to be conscious of their actions and to constantly strive for righteousness. It encourages us to seize the opportunity in this life to accumulate good deeds and seek forgiveness for our wrongdoings. We should not delay or procrastinate in performing acts of worship, charity, and kindness, as the Hereafter will only bring accountability without the chance for further action.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ),

In the Hereafter there is accounting without action,

serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to be mindful of their actions in this world. It emphasizes the importance of performing righteous deeds and seeking forgiveness for our sins, as the consequences of our actions will be final and unchangeable in the Hereafter. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and guidance to lead a life of righteousness and may He forgive our shortcomings on the Day of Judgment.