Hadith #1095

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 progeny, and his noble companions.

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

ما أقْرَبَ الأجَلَ مِنَ الأمَلِ۔

This can be translated into English as,

How close death is to hope!

This thought-provoking saying of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) encapsulates a deep reflection on the transient nature of life and the importance of being mindful of our ultimate destiny.

Let us delve into the meaning of the key words in this Hadith. The word (ajal) "أجَلَ" refers to death or the appointed time of death. It signifies the end of our worldly existence and the beginning of our eternal journey in the hereafter. The word (amal) "أمَلِ" means hope or expectation. It represents our aspirations, dreams, and desires for the future.

To understand the beautiful message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us in Surah Al-Ankabut, verse 57: (Quran 29:57)

Every soul will taste death. Then to Us will you be returned.

This verse emphasizes the inevitability of death and the certainty that every soul will experience it. It serves as a reminder that death is not a distant concept but a reality that is always near.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qiyamah, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states, (Quran 75:3-4)

Does man think that We will not assemble his bones? Yes, We are Able to put together in perfect order the very tips of his fingers.

These verses highlight the power of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) to resurrect and recreate us after death. They remind us that our life in this world is temporary and that we will be held accountable for our actions in the hereafter.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to reflect on the brevity of life and the importance of preparing for the inevitable meeting with our Creator. It urges us to prioritize our actions and intentions, aligning them with the teachings of Islam. It encourages us to seize the opportunity of this fleeting life to engage in righteous deeds, seek forgiveness, and strive for the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

When we contemplate the closeness of death to hope, we realize that our hopes and dreams in this world are transient and fleeting. The pursuit of material possessions and worldly success should not distract us from our ultimate purpose, which is to worship Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and seek His pleasure. We should not allow our hopes and desires to blind us from the reality of death and the eternal consequences of our actions.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) impactful Hadith serves as a wake-up call for Muslims to reflect on the brevity of life, the certainty of death, and the importance of preparing for the hereafter. It reminds us to live each day with consciousness and mindfulness, striving to fulfill our obligations as Muslims and seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to understand the true meaning of this Hadith and the ability to act upon its teachings.