Hadith #10309

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 Muhammad, his family, his companions, and the righteous successors.

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

كُلُّ نَعِيمِ الدُّنْيا ثُبُورٌ۔

which translates to

Every bounty of this world is [headed towards] destruction.

This beautiful Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the transient nature of worldly pleasures and possessions.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, let us analyze the key words used. The word (na'eem) "نَعِيمِ" refers to blessings, favors, or delights. It encompasses all the material and immaterial blessings that we enjoy in this world. The word (ad-dunya) "الدُّنْيا" refers to the temporal world, the realm of worldly existence. And finally, the word (thuboor) "ثُبُورٌ" means destruction, annihilation, or perishing.

This Hadith is in line with the teachings of the Quran, which repeatedly emphasizes the temporary nature of worldly possessions and the importance of focusing on the eternal life to come. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hadid (57:20),

Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children - like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris.

In Surah Al-Imran (3:185), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us,

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.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder to Muslims that the pleasures and luxuries of this world are temporary and fleeting. They are not the ultimate goal of our existence. Instead, our focus should be on seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and preparing for the everlasting life in the hereafter.

By recognizing the impermanence of worldly blessings, we can avoid becoming overly attached to material possessions. This detachment allows us to prioritize our actions and intentions towards seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and performing righteous deeds. It helps us maintain a balanced approach to life, where we are grateful for the blessings we have been given but not consumed by them.

Moreover, this Hadith serves as a reminder that the pursuit of worldly pleasures can distract us from our ultimate purpose in life. When we become too engrossed in accumulating wealth, seeking power, or indulging in worldly desires, we risk neglecting our spiritual growth and the development of our character. This neglect can have severe consequences in the hereafter.

Therefore, Muslims should strive to strike a balance between enjoying the permissible pleasures of this world and focusing on the eternal rewards of the hereafter. We should use the blessings bestowed upon us by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) to benefit ourselves and others, to seek knowledge, to help the needy, and to promote justice and compassion in society.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that the bounties and delights of this world are temporary and will eventually perish. It urges us to prioritize our actions and intentions towards seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and preparing for the everlasting life in the hereafter. By recognizing the transient nature of worldly possessions, we can maintain a balanced approach to life and avoid becoming overly attached to material wealth and desires. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us to live a life that is pleasing to Him and grant us success in both this world and the hereafter.