Hadith #11471

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. 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) highlights the importance of certitude and the consequences of failing to uphold it. Let us delve into the exegesis of this impactful Hadith in light of the Quran.

The key words in this Hadith are (your certitude) "يَقينُكَ", (the evanescent) "الفانِيَ", (the everlasting) "الباقِى", (the lofty) "السَّنِيَّ", and (the lowly) "الدَّنيِّ".

Certitude, or "يَقينُكَ," refers to a firm and unwavering belief in the truth of something. It is the highest level of faith and knowledge, attained through deep understanding and reflection. In this Hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of having sound certitude.

The terms (the evanescent) "الفانِيَ" and (the everlasting) "الباقِى" highlight the stark contrast between the temporary nature of this world and the eternal nature of the Hereafter. The evanescent refers to the transient and fleeting aspects of worldly life, while the everlasting refers to the eternal and permanent aspects of the Hereafter.

The terms (the lofty) "السَّنِيَّ" and (the lowly) "الدَّنيِّ" represent the stark difference between the spiritual realm and the material world. The lofty signifies the elevated and sublime aspects of spirituality, while the lowly represents the mundane and worldly pursuits.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states that if one's certitude is sound, they would not exchange the everlasting for the evanescent, nor would they trade the lofty for the lowly. This means that a person with true certitude would prioritize the eternal and spiritual aspects of life over the temporary and materialistic pursuits.

This beautiful saying of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) aligns with the teachings of the Quran. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly reminds us of the temporary nature of this world and the importance of focusing on the Hereafter.

In Surah Al-Imran (3:185), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

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 fleeting nature of worldly life and the ultimate reward that awaits in the Hereafter. It serves as a reminder to prioritize the everlasting over the evanescent.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qasas (28:60), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

And whatever you have been given is an enjoyment of the worldly life and its adornment, and what is with Allah is better and more lasting. So will you not use reason?

This verse highlights the superiority of what is with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) over the temporary pleasures of this world. It encourages us to reflect and use our reason to prioritize the everlasting over the evanescent.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to strengthen their certitude and focus on the eternal aspects of life. By prioritizing the Hereafter over worldly pursuits, we can attain true success and fulfillment.

When we exchange the everlasting for the evanescent, we risk losing sight of our ultimate purpose and falling into the traps of materialism and worldly desires. Similarly, when we trade the lofty for the lowly, we compromise our spiritual growth and distance ourselves from the divine.

Therefore, it is crucial for Muslims to cultivate and strengthen their certitude through deepening their understanding of the Quran and the teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ). By doing so, we can navigate the challenges of this world with wisdom and make choices that align with our ultimate goal of attaining the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength to uphold our certitude and prioritize the everlasting over the evanescent, and the lofty over the lowly. May He guide us on the straight path and grant us success in this life and the Hereafter.