Hadith #10682

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.

In this profound hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he describes the two types of seekers that exist among people. The Arabic word (taalib) "طالِب" refers to a seeker or one who seeks something, while (matlub) "مَطْلُوب" refers to the one who is sought after or the object of someone's search.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) begins by stating that people can be divided into two categories: those who seek the worldly life (dunya) and those who seek the Hereafter (akhirah). Each seeker is also sought after by something or someone.

The one who seeks the dunya, the material possessions, wealth, and worldly pleasures, is sought after by death. This means that death constantly pursues and chases after such a person until it eventually takes them out of this world. This highlights the fleeting nature of worldly pursuits and the inevitability of death. No matter how much one accumulates in this world, death will ultimately separate them from it.

On the other hand, the one who seeks the Hereafter, the eternal life and the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), is sought after by the dunya. This means that the dunya tries to distract and entice such a person, pulling them away from their spiritual journey and their ultimate goal of attaining the Hereafter. The dunya tempts them with its allurements, tests their faith, and seeks to divert their attention from the path of righteousness.

To support the exegesis of this hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Imran (3:14):

Beautified for people is the love of that which they desire - of women and sons, heaped-up sums of gold and silver, fine branded horses, and cattle and tilled land. That is the enjoyment of worldly life, but Allah has with Him the best return.

This verse highlights the allurements of the dunya and how people are attracted to its material possessions and pleasures. However, it also reminds us that the true and best return lies with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in the Hereafter.

Another verse that supports the exegesis of this hadith is found in Surah Al-Qasas (28:77):

But seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter; and [yet], do not forget your share of the world. And do good as Allah has done good to you. And desire not corruption in the land. Indeed, Allah does not like corrupters.

This verse emphasizes the importance of seeking the Hereafter while not neglecting the dunya. It encourages believers to strike a balance between their spiritual pursuits and their worldly responsibilities. It reminds us that seeking the Hereafter should not lead to neglecting our duties in this world, but rather we should strive to do good and avoid corruption.

Reflecting on this hadith, we can see the profound wisdom of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). He reminds us that the pursuit of worldly desires is fleeting and ultimately leads to death. However, if we prioritize seeking the Hereafter and focus on pleasing Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), the dunya will come to us in a way that is beneficial and in accordance with our sustenance.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) exhortation serves as a reminder for Muslims to prioritize their spiritual journey and to not become overly attached to the material possessions and pleasures of this world. It encourages us to seek the eternal rewards of the Hereafter and to strive for righteousness in all aspects of our lives.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to seek the Hereafter and the strength to resist the temptations of the dunya. May He guide us on the straight path and bless us with success in this life and the Hereafter.