Hadith #3804

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 (ﷺ), his pure and noble family, and his righteous companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states:

قَليلُ الدُّنيا يَذْهَبُ بِكَثيرِ الآخِرَةِ۔

This Hadith is a profound reminder of the transient nature of this worldly life and the importance of prioritizing the eternal Hereafter over temporary worldly gains.

Let us delve into the key words of this Hadith to gain a deeper understanding. The word (qaleel) "قَليلُ" means "little" or "few," indicating a small quantity or amount. (ad-dunya) "الدُّنيا" refers to the material world, the life of this world that we are currently living in. It encompasses all the worldly possessions, desires, and pursuits that often distract us from our ultimate purpose.

The phrase (yadhhabu bikaatheeril-akhirah) "يَذْهَبُ بِكَثيرِ الآخِرَةِ" can be translated as

takes away a lot of the Hereafter.

Here, (al-akhirah) "الآخِرَةِ" refers to the Hereafter, the eternal life that awaits us after death. It encompasses the rewards and punishments that are based on our actions in this worldly life.

To understand the wise message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Kahf (18:45):

Wealth and children are [but] adornment of the worldly life. But the enduring good deeds are better to your Lord for reward and better for [one's] hope.

This verse emphasizes the temporary nature of worldly possessions and highlights the importance of focusing on righteous deeds that will benefit us in the Hereafter.

Another verse that complements the Hadith is found in Surah Al-Qasas (28:60):

And whatever you have been given is an enjoyment of the worldly life and its adornment, and what is with Allah is better and more lasting. So will you not use reason?

This verse reminds us that the pleasures and luxuries of this world are fleeting, while the rewards and blessings in the Hereafter are far superior and everlasting.

Reflecting on the Hadith, we realize that Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is cautioning us against becoming too attached to the materialistic aspects of this worldly life. He reminds us that even if we accumulate great wealth, fame, or power in this world, it will ultimately fade away and have no value in the Hereafter. Instead, we should prioritize our efforts towards actions that will bring us closer to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and secure our place in the eternal life to come.

This Hadith serves as a wake-up call for Muslims to reassess their priorities and align their actions with the teachings of Islam. It urges us to detach ourselves from the allure of worldly possessions and focus on building a strong connection with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). By doing so, we can ensure that our efforts and investments are directed towards the Hereafter, where true success and everlasting rewards await.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the fleeting nature of this world and the importance of prioritizing the Hereafter. It urges us to detach ourselves from the materialistic distractions of this life and focus on actions that will bring us closer to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). By doing so, we can attain true success and eternal happiness in the Hereafter. May Allah (تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all to follow the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and grant us success in both this world and the Hereafter.