Hadith #3596

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due 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.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he beautifully encapsulates the essence of life and the ultimate goal that lies ahead. Let us delve into the exegesis of this Hadith, exploring its rich meanings and drawing upon the guidance of the Quran.

The Hadith begins with the words (Verily today is the time for preparation)

ألا وإنَّ اليَومَ المِضْمارَ

The term "المِضْمارَ" refers to a racecourse, a place where athletes prepare themselves before engaging in a race. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is drawing our attention to the fact that our time in this world is a period of preparation, a time for us to strive and ready ourselves for the ultimate race that lies ahead.

This notion of preparation is beautifully echoed in the Quran, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Mulk (67:2),

It is He who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed.

This life is a test, a training ground for us to develop our character, strengthen our faith, and prepare ourselves for the race towards Paradise.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) then states, (and tomorrow is the race) "وغَداً السِّباقَ". Here, he emphasizes the temporal nature of this world and reminds us that the race towards our ultimate destination is imminent. Just as a race has a fixed starting point and a finish line, our lives also have a predetermined end. We must be mindful of the limited time we have and make the most of it to strive towards righteousness and seek the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

The Quran repeatedly reminds us of the transient nature of this world. In Surah Al-Hadid (57:20), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children.

This verse serves as a reminder that worldly pursuits, although important to an extent, should not distract us from the ultimate race towards Paradise.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) then states, (the prize is Paradise) "والسَّبْقَةُ الجَنَّةُ". Here, he highlights the ultimate goal of our race - attaining Paradise, the eternal abode of bliss and tranquility. Paradise is the ultimate reward for those who strive in the cause of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and fulfill their obligations towards Him and His creation.

The Quran provides numerous descriptions of Paradise, painting a vivid picture of its beauty and the rewards that await the righteous. In Surah Al-Imran (3:133), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a garden as wide as the heavens and earth, prepared for the righteous.

This verse serves as a motivation for us to strive for Paradise, to seek forgiveness from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), and to engage in righteous deeds.

Finally, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) concludes the Hadith by stating, (and [at] the [other] extreme is hell) "والغايَةُ النَّارُ". This serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of neglecting our preparation and failing to strive in the race towards Paradise. Hellfire awaits those who choose to deviate from the path of righteousness and disregard their obligations towards Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

The Quran repeatedly warns us about the consequences of straying from the straight path. In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:197), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is Taqwa. So fear Me, O you of understanding.

Taqwa, often translated as God-consciousness or piety, is the key to success in the race towards Paradise. Neglecting this provision and failing to fear Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) can lead one towards the path of destruction and the torment of Hellfire.

In conclusion, this Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for us as Muslims. It calls us to reflect upon the transient nature of this world, the importance of preparation, and the ultimate goal of Paradise. Let us strive to make the most of our time in this world, preparing ourselves for the race towards Paradise, and seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to heed this advice and attain success in the race towards Paradise.