Hadith #7823

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.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for all Muslims to prioritize their time and efforts wisely. Let us delve into the exegesis of this Hadith, exploring its key words and their meanings in light of the Quran.

The first important word in this Hadith is (ishtaghal) "اشْتَغَلَ", which means to occupy oneself or engage in something. It implies being preoccupied or consumed by a particular matter. The second crucial word is (ma la ya'neehi) "ما لايَعْنيهِ", which translates to

that which does not concern him.

It refers to matters that are irrelevant or have no direct relevance to an individual's life or responsibilities.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns that one who becomes engrossed in matters that are of no significance to them will inevitably lose sight of what truly matters. This loss is expressed in the phrase (faatahu maya'neehi) "فاتَهُ مايَعْنيهِ", which means

loses that which is important to him.

In other words, when an individual becomes distracted by trivial matters, they neglect or miss out on the essential aspects of their life.

To further understand the wisdom behind this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of prioritizing our time and efforts in a manner that aligns with our responsibilities and the pursuit of righteousness.

In Surah Al-Asr, Allah says, (Quran 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 highlights the significance of utilizing our time wisely by engaging in faith, good deeds, and encouraging one another towards truth and patience.

Additionally, in Surah Al-Mu'minun, Allah states, (Quran 23:1-7)

Successful indeed are the believers, those who are humble in their prayers, and those who turn away from ill speech, and those who are observant of zakah, and those who guard their private parts, except from their wives or those their right hands possess, for indeed, they will not be blamed - But whoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors.

This passage emphasizes the importance of focusing on fulfilling our obligations and avoiding unnecessary distractions or indulgences.

Reflecting on the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in light of these Quranic verses, we can understand that our time and energy are precious resources that should be utilized in a manner that aligns with our duties and responsibilities as Muslims. Engaging in matters that do not concern us diverts our attention from what truly matters, leading to a loss of focus and neglect of our essential obligations.

For example, if a person spends excessive time and energy gossiping about others or involving themselves in trivial matters, they may neglect their prayers, neglect their family responsibilities, or fail to fulfill their obligations towards their community. This loss of focus and neglect of important matters can have detrimental consequences on both their worldly and spiritual well-being.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to prioritize their time and efforts wisely. By focusing on matters that are truly important and relevant to our lives, we can fulfill our responsibilities and strive towards righteousness. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and guidance to utilize our time and energy in the most beneficial and meaningful ways.