Hadith #8669

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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

ضاعَ مَنْ كانَ لَهُ مَقْصَدٌ غَيْرُ اللّهِ۔

This beautiful saying can be translated as,

Lost is the one who has a goal other than Allah.

Let us delve into the depths of this Hadith and explore its meaning in light of the Quran.

The word (da'a) "ضاعَ" in this Hadith means to be lost or to go astray. It signifies a state of being misguided or deviating from the right path. The word (maqsad) "مَقْصَدٌ" refers to a goal, objective, or purpose. And (ghayr) "غَيْرُ" means other than or besides. Thus, the Hadith emphasizes the dire consequences of having a goal or purpose in life that is not centered around Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly reminds us of the importance of directing our goals and intentions solely towards Him. In Surah Al-An'am, verse 162, Allah says,

Say, 'Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds.'

This verse highlights the comprehensive nature of our devotion to Allah, encompassing all aspects of our lives.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 165, Allah states,

And [yet], among the people are those who take other than Allah as equals [to Him]. They love them as they [should] love Allah. But those who believe are stronger in love for Allah.

This verse warns against associating partners with Allah and emphasizes the importance of directing our love and devotion solely towards Him.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to align their goals and aspirations with the pleasure of Allah. It highlights the inherent danger of pursuing worldly desires or placing anything above the pursuit of Allah's pleasure.

When individuals prioritize materialistic pursuits, fame, wealth, or power over their relationship with Allah, they risk losing their way and straying from the path of righteousness. Their hearts become attached to temporary and fleeting pleasures, leading them away from the eternal bliss that can only be found in the remembrance and obedience of Allah.

This Hadith encourages Muslims to reflect on their intentions and evaluate whether their goals and aspirations are in line with the teachings of Islam. It urges us to constantly realign our priorities and ensure that our ultimate objective is to seek the pleasure of Allah in all our endeavors.

By centering our goals around Allah, we find true purpose and fulfillment in life. Our actions become a means of worship, and our pursuits are guided by divine wisdom. We are motivated by the desire to please our Creator and earn His eternal reward.

Conversely, those who prioritize worldly goals may achieve temporary success and fulfillment, but they ultimately lose sight of their true purpose. Their achievements and possessions hold no value in the sight of Allah, and they will be left empty-handed in the Hereafter.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to align their goals and aspirations with the pleasure of Allah. It warns against the dangers of pursuing worldly desires and emphasizes the importance of directing our intentions solely towards Allah. By making Allah the center of our goals and aspirations, we find true purpose, fulfillment, and success in this life and the Hereafter. May Allah guide us all to prioritize Him in all aspects of our lives and grant us success in achieving our goals that are aligned with His pleasure.