Hadith #3760

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due 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 Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

It is an abode which is lowly before its Lord, so its lawful has been mixed with its forbidden, its good with its evil and its sweetness with its bitterness.

This wise utterance of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the nature of this worldly life and the challenges that Muslims face in navigating through its complexities.

Let us delve into the meanings of some important words in this Hadith. The word (dar) "دارٌ" refers to the abode or the world in which we currently reside. It is a temporary dwelling place for us, as our ultimate destination is the Hereafter. The word (hanat) "هانَتْ" means lowly or insignificant, indicating the transient and fleeting nature of this worldly life. The word (khalata) "حَلَّطَ" means to mix or blend, signifying the intermingling of the lawful and the forbidden, the good and the evil, and the sweetness and the bitterness within this worldly existence.

The Quran provides us with numerous verses that support the exegesis of this Hadith. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us in Surah Al-Imran, verse 185:

Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained [his desire]. And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion.

This verse emphasizes the temporary nature of this worldly life and the importance of focusing on the eternal life in the Hereafter. It reminds us that the true reward and compensation for our actions will be given to us on the Day of Resurrection. Therefore, we should not be deceived by the fleeting pleasures and distractions of this world.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 216, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

Fighting has been enjoined upon you while it is hateful to you. But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah knows, while you know not.

This verse highlights the concept of the lawful being mixed with the forbidden and the good with the evil, as mentioned in the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). It reminds us that sometimes we may dislike certain things or find them difficult, but they may actually be beneficial for us in the long run. Conversely, we may be attracted to things that are harmful or detrimental to our spiritual well-being, even though they may appear appealing to us.

The consequences of this mixing of the lawful with the forbidden, the good with the evil, and the sweetness with the bitterness are manifold. It challenges our faith and tests our resolve to adhere to the teachings of Islam. It requires us to constantly evaluate our actions and choices, seeking guidance from the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ).

This Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to be vigilant and discerning in their daily lives. It calls upon us to seek knowledge and understanding of the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ), so that we may navigate through the challenges and complexities of this world with wisdom and righteousness.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) possessed immense knowledge and wisdom, which he acquired through his close association with the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his deep understanding of the Quran. He was known for his ability to discern between right and wrong, lawful and forbidden, and good and evil. As Muslims, we should strive to follow in his footsteps and seek guidance from his teachings.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to remain steadfast in their faith and to navigate through the complexities of this world with wisdom and righteousness. It highlights the temporary nature of this worldly life and the importance of focusing on the eternal life in the Hereafter. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to discern between right and wrong, and to seek His pleasure in all aspects of our lives.