Hadith #585

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights a profound aspect of human nature and the importance of focusing on the eternal life of the Hereafter. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states that a person may experience joy upon gaining something that they were not destined to lose, and they may feel sadness upon losing something that they were not meant to gain. This Hadith urges us to redirect our emotions and concerns towards the matters of the Hereafter.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, let us analyze some of the key words and concepts mentioned. The word (daraku) "دَرَكُ" refers to gaining or attaining something, while (foutu) "فَوْتُ" means losing or missing out on something. These words emphasize the idea of acquiring or missing out on opportunities or blessings in life.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to find happiness in what we have acquired for our Hereafter. This means that our joy should come from fulfilling our religious obligations, performing good deeds, and seeking closeness to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Our focus should be on building a strong relationship with Allah and striving for eternal rewards.

The Quran supports this concept in several verses. In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:201), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And of them are some who say, 'Our Lord, grant us in this world [that which is] good and in the Hereafter [that which is] good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.'

This verse highlights the importance of seeking goodness in both this world and the Hereafter, acknowledging that true success lies in attaining blessings in both realms.

Similarly, in Surah Al-Kahf (18:46), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Wealth and children are [but] adornment of the worldly life. But the enduring good deeds are better to your Lord for reward and better for [one's] hope.

This verse reminds us that material possessions and worldly achievements are temporary, while the good deeds we perform for the sake of Allah have everlasting value.

On the other hand, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to feel sadness for what we have lost from our Hereafter. This means that we should be concerned about missed opportunities to perform good deeds, seek forgiveness, and rectify our actions. Our regret should be for the moments when we neglected our spiritual growth and failed to prioritize our relationship with Allah.

The Quran also emphasizes the importance of regret and remorse for missed opportunities. In Surah Al-Hadid (57:23), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

That is because they followed what angered Allah and disliked [what earns] His pleasure, so He rendered worthless their deeds.

This verse highlights the consequences of neglecting the pleasure of Allah and pursuing actions that displease Him. It reminds us that our deeds will be in vain if they are not done with sincerity and in accordance with His guidance.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further advises us to be concerned about what comes after death. This means that we should prioritize preparing for the eternal life in the Hereafter, as it holds the ultimate significance and consequences. Our focus should be on actions that will benefit us in the afterlife, such as seeking knowledge, performing acts of worship, and engaging in acts of kindness and charity.

The Quran repeatedly emphasizes the importance of preparing for the afterlife. In Surah Al-Mulk (67:2), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

It is He who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed - and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving.

This verse reminds us that this life is a test, and our actions will determine our ultimate success or failure in the Hereafter.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) urges us to find happiness in our Hereafter-focused endeavors, feel regret for missed opportunities, and prioritize our concerns for the afterlife. By aligning our emotions and priorities with the eternal realm, we can strive for true success and fulfillment. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to live our lives in accordance with this profound guidance.