Hadith #1069

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 us to reduce our hopes, hasten towards good deeds, and fear the suddenness of death. Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this hadith and explore its implications in light of the Quran.

The Imam begins by urging us to "reduce our hopes." This does not mean that we should abandon all hope, but rather that we should temper our expectations and not become overly attached to worldly desires. The Quran reminds us in Surah Al-Hadid (57:20) that the life of this world is but a fleeting enjoyment, and true success lies in the Hereafter. By reducing our hopes, we free ourselves from the shackles of materialism and focus on the eternal rewards promised by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Furthermore, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to

hasten towards good deeds.

This emphasizes the importance of taking immediate action and not delaying in performing acts of righteousness. The Quran repeatedly emphasizes the significance of righteous deeds and their impact on our spiritual growth. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:148),

So hasten to [do] good deeds.

By hastening towards good deeds, we seize the opportunity to earn rewards and seek the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

The Imam then warns us to

fear the suddenness of death.

Death is an inevitable reality that can come upon us at any moment, without warning. The Quran reminds us in Surah Al-An'am (6:61) that death can overtake us even while we are in the midst of our daily activities. By fearing the suddenness of death, we become more conscious of our mortality and strive to make the most of our time in this world. This fear serves as a motivation to prioritize our actions and ensure that we are constantly striving to improve ourselves.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) then provides a profound reflection, stating that the return of lifetime cannot be hoped for like the return of livelihood. This means that once our time in this world has passed, there is no way to regain it. Unlike livelihood, which may be lost today but regained tomorrow, the moments of our life that have already passed cannot be reclaimed. This reflection highlights the importance of valuing and utilizing our time wisely, as it is a finite resource that cannot be replenished.

To further emphasize this point, the Imam states that whatever is missed from livelihood today may be hoped for tomorrow with increase, but whatever is lost from one's lifetime yesterday cannot be hoped for today. This serves as a reminder that while we may have the opportunity to make up for missed opportunities in terms of material wealth, the time we have lost is irreplaceable. The Quran reminds us in Surah Al-Asr (103:1-3) that indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have faith, perform righteous deeds, and enjoin one another to truth and patience. This highlights the importance of utilizing our time in this world to engage in acts of worship and benefit others.

In conclusion, this profound hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to reduce their attachment to worldly desires, hasten towards good deeds, and be mindful of the fleeting nature of life. By understanding the deeper meanings behind these words and reflecting upon the Quranic verses that support them, we can strive to live a life that is focused on the eternal rewards of the Hereafter. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to implement these teachings in our lives.