Hadith #7599

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

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

The lifespan [of a person] is [made up of] a specific number of breaths.

This enlightening saying highlights the finite nature of human life and emphasizes the importance of utilizing our time wisely.

Let us delve into the key words of this Hadith to gain a deeper understanding. The word (umr) "عُمْرُ" refers to the lifespan or duration of one's life. It encompasses the time from birth until death. The word (anfas) "أَنْفَاسٌ" means breaths, which symbolizes the passage of time and the limited number of breaths each individual has in their lifetime. Lastly, the word (mu'addadah) "مُعَدَّدَةٌ" means specific or predetermined, indicating that the number of breaths allotted to each person is predetermined by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

To further comprehend the significance of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Al-An'am, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 6:60)

It is He who takes your souls by night and knows what you have committed by day. Then He revives you therein that a specified term may be fulfilled. Then to Him will be your return; then He will inform you about what you used to do

This verse emphasizes that our lives have a predetermined term, and Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) is the one who determines the length of our lives.

Another verse that sheds light on the concept of the limited duration of life is found in Surah Al-Jathiyah, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 50:16)

And We have certainly created man and We know what his soul whispers to him, and We are closer to him than [his] jugular vein

This verse reminds us that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) is intimately aware of our thoughts and desires, and He is closer to us than our own jugular vein. It highlights the fact that our lives are fleeting and that we must be conscious of our actions and intentions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder to Muslims that life is transient and that we should make the most of the time we have been given. It encourages us to reflect on our actions and utilize our breaths in a manner that pleases Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). We should strive to engage in acts of worship, seek knowledge, perform good deeds, and maintain strong relationships with our Creator and fellow human beings.

This Hadith also prompts us to contemplate the brevity of life and the inevitability of death. It motivates us to prioritize our spiritual growth and strive for excellence in all aspects of our lives. By recognizing the limited number of breaths we have, we are inspired to make each moment count and avoid wasting our time in frivolous pursuits.

Furthermore, this Hadith encourages us to reflect on the consequences of our actions. Every breath we take brings us closer to the end of our allotted time on this earth. Therefore, it is crucial to consider the impact of our choices and ensure that we are using our breaths in a manner that will benefit us in the hereafter.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to value and make the most of the limited time we have in this world. It urges us to reflect on our actions, prioritize our spiritual growth, and strive for excellence in all aspects of our lives. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and guidance to utilize our breaths in a manner that pleases Him and leads to eternal success.