Hadith #8694

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 righteous companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for all Muslims to value and make the most of their time in this world. Let us delve into the exegesis of this Hadith, exploring its key words and their meanings, and then drawing upon the guidance of the Quran to further understand its significance.

The word (qassara) "قَصَّرَ" in the Hadith means to be neglectful or to fall short in fulfilling one's duties and responsibilities. It refers to a state of being careless or heedless, particularly in relation to the (ayyam amalihi) "أيّامِ أمَلِهِ", which can be translated as the "days of hope." These are the days of our lives when we have the opportunity to strive towards righteousness, seek knowledge, perform good deeds, and draw closer to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns that if one is negligent and fails to make the most of these days, then they have indeed (khasira 'umrahu) "خَسِرَ عُمْرَهُ", meaning they have made a loss in their life. This loss is not merely a temporal one, but one that has spiritual and eternal consequences. By neglecting their days of hope, individuals miss out on the opportunity to accumulate good deeds, seek knowledge, and strengthen their relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Moreover, the Hadith states that such negligence will also result in being (darrahu ajaluhu) "ضَرَّهُ أجَلُهُ", harmed by their death. This implies that when the appointed time of death arrives, these individuals will regret their negligence and the opportunities they wasted. They will realize the true value of the days they had, but it will be too late to rectify their actions.

To further understand the significance of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Al-Mu'minun (23:115), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us,

Did you then think that We had created you in vain, and that you would not be returned to Us?

This verse emphasizes the purpose of our creation and the importance of utilizing our time in this world wisely. We are not here by chance, but rather for a greater purpose, which is to worship Allah and seek His pleasure.

Additionally, in Surah Al-Asr (103:1-3), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

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 highlights the fleeting nature of time and the potential loss that awaits those who fail to utilize it for good. It emphasizes the importance of faith, righteous actions, and mutual encouragement towards truth and patience.

Reflecting on these Quranic verses in light of the Hadith, we understand that our time in this world is limited and precious. We must seize every opportunity to engage in acts of worship, seek knowledge, and perform good deeds. Negligence and heedlessness will only lead to regret and loss in both this life and the hereafter.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his profound knowledge and wisdom, reminds us through this Hadith to be mindful of our days of hope and not to squander them. Let us take this advice to heart and strive to make the most of our time, seeking Allah's pleasure and preparing for the eternal life to come. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to be diligent in our pursuit of righteousness and protect us from the harm of negligence.