Hadith #3667

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due 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.

In this profound hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises the Muslims to detach themselves from the allurements of this worldly life. He begins by addressing the people, emphasizing the importance of renouncing the pleasures and attractions of this temporary world. The Imam reminds us that the life of this world is short-lived and its goodness is insignificant when compared to the eternal rewards of the hereafter.

The Imam describes this world as a "house of departure" and a "place of discomfort." This signifies that our time in this world is transitory, and we are merely travelers passing through. It serves as a reminder that our true home is in the hereafter, and our focus should be on preparing for the eternal life to come.

To support this exegesis, we find numerous verses in the Quran that emphasize the temporary nature of this world and the importance of prioritizing the hereafter. 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. And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and approval. And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion.

This verse clearly illustrates the fleeting nature of worldly pleasures and highlights the importance of focusing on the eternal rewards of the hereafter. It serves as a reminder that the pursuit of material wealth and worldly desires should not consume us, as they are temporary and ultimately meaningless.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further states that this world brings closer the appointed terms and cuts short aspirations. This means that the passing of time in this world brings us closer to the appointed time of death, and it diminishes our hopes and aspirations. The more time we spend chasing worldly desires, the less time and energy we have to invest in our spiritual growth and preparation for the hereafter.

Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us in Surah Al-Mu'minun (23:115):

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

This verse serves as a reminder that our purpose in this world is not mere amusement or play. We have been created with a higher purpose, and our ultimate destination is to return to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Therefore, it is essential for us to prioritize our spiritual growth and strive for the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in all aspects of our lives.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) concludes by describing this world as unruly, stubborn, and deceptive. It turns away and shuns those who are after its pleasures, betraying their trust and cheating them. This highlights the fleeting and unreliable nature of worldly desires. They may promise happiness and fulfillment, but they ultimately leave us empty and unsatisfied.

In Surah Al-Imran (3:185), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns 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.

This verse serves as a reminder that the true reward and fulfillment lie in the hereafter. The pleasures of this world are temporary and illusory, and they cannot compare to the eternal bliss and rewards that await the believers in Paradise.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) profound advice in this hadith urges us to detach ourselves from the allurements of this temporary world. He reminds us of the transitory nature of this life and the insignificance of its pleasures. By prioritizing our spiritual growth and focusing on the hereafter, we can attain true fulfillment and eternal rewards. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to understand the true nature of this world and guide us on the path of righteousness.