Hadith #1755

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 purified progeny, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

ثَمَنُ الجَنَّةِ الزُّهدُ في الدُّنيا۔

This can be translated as,

The price of Paradise is renunciation of the [pleasures of this] world.

Let us delve into the meaning of the key words in this Hadith. The word (thaman) "ثَمَنُ" refers to the price or cost of something. It implies that Paradise is not easily attainable, and one must be willing to give up something valuable in order to acquire it. The term (al-Jannah) "الجَنَّةِ" refers to Paradise, the eternal abode of bliss promised to the righteous believers. And (az-zuhd fi ad-dunya) "الزُّهدُ في الدُّنيا" means renunciation or detachment from the worldly pleasures and distractions.

To understand the significance of renunciation of worldly pleasures in attaining Paradise, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Imran, verse 185:

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 emphasizes the temporary nature of worldly pleasures and the ultimate reward that awaits the believers in the Hereafter. It reminds us that the true value lies in striving for the eternal bliss of Paradise, rather than being consumed by the fleeting pleasures of this world.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Kahf, verse 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 highlights the transitory nature of worldly possessions and relationships. While they may provide temporary enjoyment and adornment in this life, they hold no lasting value in the sight of Allah. Instead, what truly matters are the enduring good deeds that one performs, which will be rewarded in the Hereafter.

In light of these Quranic verses, we can understand the profound wisdom behind Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement. The price of Paradise is not material wealth or worldly achievements, but rather the renunciation of worldly desires and attachments. This does not mean complete abandonment of worldly responsibilities, but rather maintaining a detachment from the materialistic pursuits that distract us from our ultimate purpose in life.

By prioritizing the pursuit of righteousness and focusing on the Hereafter, we are able to detach ourselves from the allure of this world. This detachment allows us to invest our time, energy, and resources in actions that bring us closer to Allah and earn us the eternal reward of Paradise.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) impactful saying serves as a reminder for us to reflect on our priorities and evaluate our attachment to worldly pleasures. It encourages us to seek a balance between our worldly responsibilities and our spiritual journey towards attaining Paradise. By practicing zuhd, or renunciation, we can free ourselves from the distractions of this world and focus on what truly matters in the sight of Allah.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to detach ourselves from the temporary pleasures of this world and strive for the eternal bliss of Paradise. May we be among those who are willing to pay the price and make the necessary sacrifices to attain the ultimate reward. Ameen.