Hadith #7279

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.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he advises the intelligent and wise individuals to prioritize their preparations for the Hereafter. The word (yambaghee) "يَنْبَغِي" in the Hadith signifies the necessity and obligation for the intelligent person to undertake this action. It emphasizes the importance of making the Hereafter a priority in one's life.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further advises to (yuqaddima li-akhirati) "يُقَدِّمَ لآخِرَتِهِ", which means to

prepare provisions for his Hereafter.

This implies that one should invest their time, efforts, and resources in performing righteous deeds and seeking nearness to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It includes acts of worship, such as prayer, fasting, giving charity, and performing Hajj, as well as acts of kindness and compassion towards others.

The phrase (waya'mura daaraiqaamatihi) "وَيَعْمُرَ دَارَ إقَامَتِهِ" in the Hadith means to

maintain and develop the abode of his permanent residence.

Here, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is referring to this worldly life as a temporary abode and the Hereafter as the permanent residence. He advises us to take care of our worldly affairs, such as our families, communities, and societies, while keeping in mind the ultimate goal of the Hereafter.

This Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) aligns with the teachings of the Quran, which repeatedly emphasizes the importance of preparing for the Hereafter and not becoming too attached to the temporary worldly life.

Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:197):

And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is Taqwa (piety). So fear Me, O you of understanding.

This verse highlights the importance of taking provisions for the journey of the Hereafter. However, it clarifies that the best provision one can have is Taqwa, which is the consciousness of Allah's presence and the fear of displeasing Him. This aligns with Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advice to prioritize the Hereafter and focus on righteous deeds.

Another verse that supports the exegesis of this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Kahf (18:46):

Wealth and children are [but] adornment of the worldly life. But the enduring good deeds are better to your Lord for reward and better for [one's] hope.

This verse reminds us that worldly possessions and relationships are temporary and merely adornments of this life. While they may bring temporary pleasure and comfort, the enduring good deeds are what truly matter in the sight of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It is these good deeds that will bring us reward in the Hereafter and increase our hope for a better future.

Reflecting on the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and the supporting Quranic verses, we understand that as Muslims, we should strive to strike a balance between our worldly responsibilities and our spiritual obligations. While we must fulfill our duties towards our families, communities, and societies, we should never lose sight of our ultimate goal, which is to attain success in the Hereafter.

By prioritizing the Hereafter and investing in righteous deeds, we not only secure our own salvation but also contribute to the betterment of society as a whole. Our actions should be guided by the principles of Taqwa and the desire to please Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in all aspects of our lives.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and understanding to prioritize the Hereafter and to maintain a balance between our worldly affairs and our spiritual obligations. May He accept our efforts and grant us success in this life and the Hereafter.