Hadith #7609

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.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states, "العُمْرُ تُفْنِيهِ اللَّحَظاتُ۔" This can be translated as,

Lifetime is diminished by moments.

This thought-provoking Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the fleeting nature of life and the importance of utilizing every moment wisely.

To understand the depth of this Hadith, let us delve into the meanings of some key words. "العُمْرُ" refers to one's lifetime or the duration of their existence. "تُفْنِيهِ" means to diminish or consume, indicating that time gradually erodes away our lives. And "اللَّحَظاتُ" refers to moments or instances, emphasizing the significance of each passing second.

The Quran provides numerous verses that shed light on the transient nature of life and the need to make the most of our limited time. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Asr (103:1-3),

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 emphasizes the importance of utilizing time wisely by engaging in righteous actions and seeking guidance from one another.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Mu'minun (23:115), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

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

This verse reminds us that life is not a mere amusement or a meaningless existence. Rather, it is a test and an opportunity for us to strive towards righteousness and return to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a wake-up call for Muslims, urging us to reflect upon the brevity of life and the importance of utilizing every moment to fulfill our purpose. It reminds us that time is a precious resource that cannot be regained once lost. Just as a drop of water gradually diminishes a stone through constant dripping, so too does the passage of moments gradually consume our lifetime.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we realize that wasting time on trivial matters or engaging in sinful activities only leads to regret and loss. Instead, we should strive to make the most of each moment by engaging in acts of worship, seeking knowledge, serving others, and strengthening our relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). By doing so, we can ensure that our lives are not in vain and that we are constantly progressing towards our ultimate goal of attaining the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) himself was a shining example of utilizing time effectively. His profound knowledge, wisdom, and devotion to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) were evident in every moment of his life. He spent his days and nights in prayer, contemplation, and selfless service to the community. His actions serve as an inspiration for us to make the most of our own lives and strive for excellence in all that we do.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ),

Lifetime is diminished by moments,

serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to value and utilize their time wisely. It urges us to reflect upon the transient nature of life and the need to make the most of every passing moment. By engaging in righteous deeds, seeking knowledge, and strengthening our relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), we can ensure that our lives are purposeful and meaningful. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and motivation to make the most of our time and attain success in this life and the Hereafter.