Hadith #480

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 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,

مَنْ راقَبَ أجَلَهُ إغْتَنَمَ مَهَلَهُ۔

This can be translated as,

The one who takes death into consideration values his time.

This thought-provoking Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of being mindful of our mortality and utilizing our time wisely.

Let us delve deeper into the key words of this Hadith. The word (raqaba) "راقَبَ" means to be vigilant, watchful, or observant. It implies being conscious of one's actions and making deliberate choices. (ajalahu) "أجَلَهُ" refers to one's appointed time of death, which is predetermined by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Lastly, (ightanama) "إغْتَنَمَ" means to seize or take advantage of something.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us in Surah Al-Asr, (Quran 103:1-3)

By time, indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.

This verse emphasizes the value of time and the importance of utilizing it wisely for righteous actions.

Additionally, in Surah Al-Mu'minun, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states, (Quran 90:4-17)

And We have certainly created man to toil and struggle. Does he think that never will anyone overcome him? He says, 'I have spent wealth in abundance.' Does he think that no one has seen him? Have We not made for him two eyes? And a tongue and two lips? And have shown him the two ways? But he has not broken through the difficult pass. And what can make you know what is the difficult pass? It is the freeing of a slave or feeding on a day of severe hunger an orphan of near relationship or a needy person in misery. And then being among those who believed and advised each other to patience and advised each other to compassion.

From these verses, we understand that time is a precious resource bestowed upon us by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It is a means for us to strive, do good deeds, and seek His pleasure. The one who recognizes the fleeting nature of life and the certainty of death will be motivated to make the most of their time.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder for Muslims to be mindful of their mortality and the limited time they have in this world. By being aware of the inevitability of death, we are motivated to make the most of our time by engaging in acts of worship, seeking knowledge, doing good deeds, and benefiting others.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we realize that valuing our time means not wasting it on trivial matters or engaging in sinful activities. It means prioritizing our obligations towards Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and striving to improve ourselves. It means utilizing our time to strengthen our relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), seeking His forgiveness, and seeking knowledge that will benefit us in this life and the hereafter.

Moreover, valuing our time also entails being mindful of the consequences of our actions. Every moment we spend is an opportunity to earn rewards or incur sins. Therefore, we should strive to make every second count and be conscious of the choices we make.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to be mindful of their mortality and the value of time. By recognizing the limited nature of our existence and the certainty of death, we are motivated to utilize our time wisely and engage in actions that bring us closer to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to make the most of our time and lead a life of righteousness.