Hadith #3763

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 Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

ذِكْرُ الدُّنيا أدْوَأُ الأدْواءِ۔

This can be translated as,

Recalling [the pleasures of] this world is the worst of all maladies.

Let us delve into the meaning of this amazing Hadith. The word (dhikr) "ذِكْرُ" refers to the act of recalling or remembering. In this context, it signifies the remembrance of the pleasures and attractions of this worldly life. The word (ad-dunya) "الدُّنيا" refers to the temporal world, the materialistic realm that we inhabit. It encompasses all the transient pleasures and distractions that can divert us from our ultimate purpose in life.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) describes the act of recalling the pleasures of this world as (adwa'u al-adwa') "أدْوَأُ الأدْواءِ". The word (adwa') "أدْوَأُ" is derived from the root word (dawa') "دواء", which means medicine or cure. However, in this context, it is used metaphorically to mean the worst of all maladies or diseases. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is emphasizing the detrimental effects of constantly reminiscing about the worldly pleasures and attractions.

To understand the wisdom behind this statement, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us in Surah Al-Imran, verse 185,

كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ ۗ وَإِنَّمَا تُوَفَّوْنَ أُجُورَكُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ۖ فَمَن زُحْزِحَ عَنِ النَّارِ وَأُدْخِلَ الْجَنَّةَ فَقَدْ فَازَ ۗ وَمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا مَتَاعُ الْغُرُورِ

which translates to,

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 reminds us that death is inevitable and that our true reward will be given to us in the Hereafter. The pleasures and attractions of this world are merely temporary and illusory. They can distract us from our ultimate purpose of seeking closeness to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and preparing for the eternal life that awaits us.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hadid, verse 20, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

اعْلَمُوا أَنَّمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا لَعِبٌ وَلَهْوٌ وَزِينَةٌ وَتَفَاخُرٌ بَيْنَكُمْ وَتَكَاثُرٌ فِي الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَوْلَادِ ۖ كَمَثَلِ غَيْثٍ أَعْجَبَ الْكُفَّارَ نَبَاتُهُ ثُمَّ يَهِيجُ فَتَرَاهُ مُصْفَرًّا ثُمَّ يَكُونُ حُطَامًا ۖ وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ وَمَغْفِرَةٌ مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَرِضْوَانٌ ۚ وَمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا مَتَاعُ الْغُرُورِ

which translates to,

Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children - like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris. And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and approval. And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion.

This verse further emphasizes that the worldly life is a temporary enjoyment, filled with distractions and competitions for material wealth and status. It is compared to a rain that brings temporary growth but eventually withers away. The true rewards and consequences lie in the Hereafter, where there is both severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and His approval.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is reminding us through this Hadith that constantly reminiscing about the pleasures of this world can lead us astray from our spiritual path. It can create an attachment to the temporary and distract us from seeking the eternal rewards of the Hereafter. It is crucial for us as Muslims to prioritize our focus on the remembrance of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and the pursuit of righteousness, rather than being consumed by the fleeting attractions of this world.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us to prioritize the Hereafter over the temporary pleasures of this world and grant us the strength to overcome the distractions that may hinder our spiritual growth. Ameen.