Hadith #7719

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 Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the stark contrast between two types of actions. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

There is a great difference between the action whose pleasure wanes but its [ill] effects remain and the action whose hardship disappears but its reward remains.

Let us delve into the key words of this Hadith to gain a deeper understanding. The word (shattan) "شَتّانَ" means a great difference or distinction. (amal) "عَمَل" refers to an action or deed. (tadhhabu) "تَذْهَبُ" means to go away or disappear. (ladhdhatu) "لَذَّةُ" signifies pleasure or enjoyment. (tabqa) "تَبْقَى" means to remain or stay. (tabi'atu) "تَبِعَةُ" refers to the effects or consequences of an action. (mu'unatu) "مَؤُنَةُ" signifies hardship or difficulty. (mathubatu) "مَثُوبَةُ" refers to the reward or recompense of an action.

To shed light on the profound wisdom of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Imran (3:185),

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 transient nature of worldly pleasures and the ultimate reward that awaits us in the Hereafter. The pleasure derived from worldly actions may fade away, but their consequences can linger on. On the other hand, the hardships endured in performing righteous deeds may vanish, but their rewards will endure eternally.

Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) also states 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 further emphasizes the superiority of enduring good deeds over worldly possessions and relationships. Material wealth and worldly attachments may bring temporary pleasure, but they do not guarantee lasting satisfaction or reward. It is the actions performed for the sake of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) that hold true value and yield everlasting benefits.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) impactful Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to prioritize actions that have lasting rewards rather than being solely focused on fleeting pleasures. It encourages us to persevere through the challenges and difficulties that may arise in the path of righteousness, knowing that the hardships will eventually fade away while the rewards will remain.

For example, let us consider the act of giving charity. Initially, one may experience a sense of sacrifice or hardship in parting with their wealth. However, as time passes, the difficulty of giving away that wealth diminishes. Yet, the reward for the act of charity continues to accumulate, benefiting the giver both in this world and the Hereafter.

Similarly, refraining from sinful actions may require effort and self-control, causing temporary discomfort or the loss of immediate gratification. However, as time goes by, the temptation and hardship associated with avoiding those sins lessen. Meanwhile, the reward for resisting those temptations remains intact, ensuring spiritual growth and closeness to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to prioritize actions that yield lasting rewards over temporary pleasures. It encourages us to persevere through hardships, knowing that they will eventually fade away while the rewards for our righteous deeds will endure eternally. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to choose actions that bring us closer to Him and secure our eternal success.