Hadith #3916

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 pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

Take it easy, for indeed the matter is near, the companionship is short and the sojourn is brief.

This enlightening Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) contains important words that require deeper understanding.

The word (hawwin) "هَوِّنْ" means to make something easy or light. It implies that we should not burden ourselves with unnecessary worries or anxieties. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to take things lightly and not to let the weight of the world overwhelm us.

The word (al-amr) "الأمْرَ" refers to the affairs of life. It encompasses all aspects of our existence, including our personal, social, and spiritual matters. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that these matters are near, meaning they are transient and temporary. This serves as a reminder that our time in this world is limited, and we should not become too attached to the fleeting nature of worldly affairs.

The word (al-istithaba) "الاِصْطِحابَ" refers to companionship or association. It signifies the relationships we form with others during our journey in this world. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights that these companionships are short-lived. They may come and go, and we should not become overly attached to them, as they are ultimately temporary in nature.

The word (al-muqam) "المُقامَ" refers to the sojourn or the duration of our stay in this world. It emphasizes the transient nature of our existence. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that our time here is brief, and we should not lose sight of the ultimate purpose of our creation.

To support the exegesis of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hadid (57:20),

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 reminds us that the worldly life is temporary and fleeting. It is filled with distractions and temptations that can divert us from our ultimate purpose. We should not become too attached to the materialistic aspects of this world, as they are transient and will eventually fade away.

Another verse that supports the exegesis of this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Qasas (28:77), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

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 reminds us to strike a balance between our worldly responsibilities and our ultimate goal of seeking the home of the Hereafter. We should not become so engrossed in worldly affairs that we forget our spiritual obligations. Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advice in the Hadith echoes this sentiment, urging us to take things lightly and not let the transient nature of this world consume us.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to approach life with ease and not to become overly attached to the temporary nature of worldly affairs. By taking things lightly, we can navigate through the challenges of life with a sense of tranquility and focus on our ultimate purpose of seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to understand the true nature of this world and guide us on the path of righteousness.