Hadith #525

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. 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,

مَعَ السَّاعاتِ تَفنَى الآجالُ۔

This can be translated as,

With the passing of hours, lifetimes perish.

Let us delve into the connotation of this statement in light of the Quran.

The key word in this Hadith is (ajal) "آجال", which refers to lifetimes or periods of time. It signifies the limited duration that each individual has in this world. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is reminding us that time is constantly slipping away, and with each passing moment, our lives are coming to an end. This serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to value and make the most of their time in this world.

The Quran supports this concept in various verses. In Surah Al-Asr (103:1-3), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

By time, indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.

This verse emphasizes the importance of utilizing time wisely and engaging in righteous actions. It highlights that the passing of time is a reminder of the fleeting nature of life and the need to make the most of it.

Another verse that aligns with the Hadith is found in Surah Al-Mu'minun (23:115), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Did you think that We created you in play (without any purpose), and that you would not be brought back to Us?

This verse reminds us that our existence in this world is not a mere play or amusement. Rather, it has a purpose, and we will be held accountable for how we spend our time.

Reflecting on the Hadith, we realize that Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is urging us to be conscious of the passing of time and to make the most of every moment. Each hour that goes by brings us closer to the end of our lives. This should motivate us to prioritize our actions and make choices that align with our ultimate purpose in this world.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) words also remind us of the consequences of wasting time. If we allow our hours to pass without purpose or engage in activities that do not bring us closer to Allah, we risk squandering the precious opportunity of this life. The Hadith serves as a wake-up call, urging us to reflect on our actions and ensure that we are using our time in a manner that pleases Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Moreover, this Hadith prompts us to reflect on the brevity of life and the inevitability of death. It encourages us to contemplate the transient nature of this world and the permanence of the Hereafter. By acknowledging the fleeting nature of time, we are motivated to prioritize our relationship with Allah and strive for eternal success.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to value and make the most of their time in this world. It emphasizes the importance of utilizing each moment wisely, engaging in righteous actions, and prioritizing our relationship with Allah. May we all take heed of this reminder and strive to make the most of our limited time in this world.