Hadith #10686

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 describes the two types of people who work in this world. The first type is the one who works solely for the worldly gains and is completely engrossed in the materialistic aspects of life. This person is so preoccupied with his worldly affairs that he neglects his Hereafter. The pursuit of wealth and worldly possessions becomes his primary focus, and he becomes heedless of the consequences of his actions in the Hereafter.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the motivations and consequences of this type of person's actions. He fears poverty for those whom he will leave behind, such as his family and loved ones, but feels secure from it himself. This fear drives him to spend his entire life accumulating wealth and material possessions, often at the expense of others. He becomes consumed by the pursuit of worldly benefits and spends his life in the service of others, neglecting his own spiritual growth and the development of his relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

To support this understanding, we can turn to the Quran, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us about the dangers of being attached to the material world. In Surah Al-Taghabun (64:15), Allah says,

Your wealth and your children are but a trial, and Allah has with Him a great reward.

This verse reminds us that our worldly possessions and relationships are merely a test from Allah, and our true reward lies in the Hereafter.

The second type of person described by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is the one who works in this world with the intention of seeking the rewards of the Hereafter. This person understands the temporary nature of worldly possessions and focuses on actions that will benefit them in the Hereafter. They prioritize their spiritual growth and the development of their relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) over material gains.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) explains that this person's intention and actions are aligned with the divine will, and as a result, they receive their allotted share without having to exert extra effort. They acquire both the worldly benefits and the rewards of the Hereafter, as they have struck a balance between their worldly responsibilities and their spiritual obligations.

This understanding is supported by the Quranic concept of "Tawakkul," which means to rely on Allah and trust in His divine plan. In Surah At-Talaq (65:3), Allah says,

And whoever relies upon Allah - then He is sufficient for him.

This verse emphasizes the importance of placing our trust in Allah and relying on Him for our sustenance and well-being. When we work for the sake of the Hereafter, with sincerity and trust in Allah, He ensures that we receive our share without having to strive excessively.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) thoughtful words serve as a reminder for us as Muslims to reflect on our intentions and actions in this world. Are we solely focused on worldly gains, neglecting our spiritual growth and the development of our relationship with Allah? Or are we striving for the Hereafter, seeking the pleasure of Allah and the eternal rewards that await us?

We must strive to strike a balance between our worldly responsibilities and our spiritual obligations. We should work diligently in this world, fulfilling our duties and responsibilities, but always with the intention of seeking the pleasure of Allah and the rewards of the Hereafter. By doing so, we can acquire both the worldly benefits and the eternal rewards, and gain possession of both the abodes collectively.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and guidance to prioritize our Hereafter and work for the sake of His pleasure. May He bless us with the ability to strike a balance between our worldly responsibilities and our spiritual obligations. Ameen.