Hadith #1493

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. Peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

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

طُوبى لِمَنْ بادَرَ صالِحَ العَمَلِ قَبْلَ أنْ تَنْقَطِعَ أسْبابُهُ۔

This Hadith translates to:

Blessed is the one who hastens to perform good deeds before his means are cut short.

Let us delve into the exegesis of this profound Hadith, drawing upon the guidance of the Quran. The key words in this Hadith are (hastens) "بادَرَ" and (good deeds) "صالِحَ العَمَلِ". "بادَرَ" refers to the act of rushing or hastening towards something, while "صالِحَ العَمَلِ" refers to righteous and virtuous deeds.

The Quran emphasizes the importance of hastening towards good deeds in several verses. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 3:133)

And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a garden as wide as the heavens and earth, prepared for the righteous

This verse highlights the reward and blessings that await those who hasten towards seeking forgiveness and performing righteous deeds.

Another verse in Surah Al-Hadid states, (Quran 57:21)

And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a garden as wide as the heavens and earth, prepared for the righteous

This verse emphasizes the importance of hastening towards forgiveness and good deeds, as they are the means to attain Paradise.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) encourages Muslims to be proactive in performing good deeds before their means are cut short. It serves as a reminder that life is transient and unpredictable, and we must seize the opportunity to engage in righteous actions while we still have the means to do so.

This Hadith prompts us to reflect on the consequences of delaying good deeds. If we procrastinate and postpone acts of righteousness, we risk losing the opportunity to perform them altogether. Time is a precious resource, and once it is gone, we cannot retrieve it. Therefore, it is incumbent upon us to make the most of our time by hastening towards good deeds.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) profound wisdom in this Hadith highlights the importance of being proactive and seizing the moment to engage in acts of righteousness. By doing so, we not only benefit ourselves but also contribute to the betterment of society and the fulfillment of our purpose as Muslims.

Let us contemplate the implications of this Hadith in our daily lives. Are we actively seeking opportunities to perform good deeds, or are we allowing procrastination and complacency to hinder our progress? Are we making the most of our time and resources, or are we squandering them in trivial pursuits?

This Hadith serves as a powerful motivation for us to reflect upon our actions and strive to hasten towards good deeds. It reminds us that our time in this world is limited, and we must utilize it wisely to earn the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and secure our place in the eternal abode of Paradise.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and determination to hasten towards good deeds and make the most of our time in this world. May He bless us with the ability to seize every opportunity to perform righteous actions and earn His pleasure. And may He guide us to follow the footsteps of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), who was a beacon of knowledge and righteousness for all Muslims.