Hadith #3590

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.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he advises the Muslims to be cautious and not to be deceived by the allurements and attractions of this worldly life. He warns against being swayed by the desires and pursuits that people in this world are inclined towards and rush greedily after.

The key words in this Hadith are (taqtarra) "تَغْتَرَّ" which means "to be deceived" or "to be deluded", (ikhlaad) "إخْلادِ" which means "inclined towards" or "attached to", and (takalub) "تَكالُبِ" which means

to rush greedily after

or "to compete for". These words highlight the danger of being deceived by the materialistic pursuits of this world and the need to be cautious and vigilant.

To support the exegesis of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us in Surah Al-Hadid, verse 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 ayah emphasizes the temporary nature of worldly pursuits and the delusion they create. It compares the attractions of this world to a rain that brings temporary pleasure but eventually dries up and turns into debris. It serves as a reminder that the true enjoyment and fulfillment lies in the Hereafter, not in the transient pleasures of this world.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Imran, verse 185, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

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 reinforces the idea that the true reward and compensation for our actions will be given in the Hereafter. The life of this world is described as the "enjoyment of delusion", highlighting the temporary nature and deceptive allure of worldly pleasures.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in this Hadith urges Muslims not to be deceived by the attractions and pursuits of this world. He reminds us that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) has informed us about the true nature of this world and has exposed its faults and evils. By being aware of the transient nature of worldly pleasures and the ultimate reality of the Hereafter, we can avoid being deluded by the materialistic pursuits of this world.

This Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to prioritize their spiritual growth and focus on the eternal rewards of the Hereafter rather than being consumed by the temporary and fleeting pleasures of this world. It encourages us to detach ourselves from the materialistic desires and to seek contentment and fulfillment in the remembrance of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and the pursuit of righteous deeds.

By reflecting on this Hadith and the supporting Quranic verses, Muslims are reminded to maintain a balanced approach towards the world. While it is permissible to enjoy the blessings of this life, we should not become attached to them or allow them to distract us from our ultimate purpose, which is to seek the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and strive for success in the Hereafter.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to remain steadfast in our faith and to prioritize the eternal over the temporary. May He protect us from being deceived by the attractions of this world and guide us to the path of righteousness. Ameen.