Hadith #9610

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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states:

مَنْ عَطَفَ عَلَيْهِ اللَّيْلُ والنَّهارُ أبْلَياهُ۔

This Hadith can be translated as:

One whose nights and days pass him by is made old by them.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this thought-provoking Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in light of the Quran.

The word (atafa) "عَطَفَ" in this Hadith refers to the passing or slipping away of time. It implies that if one does not utilize their time effectively, it will pass them by without any benefit. The word (layl) "لَّيْلُ" means night, and (nahar) "نَّهَارُ" means day. Together, they represent the entirety of one's life, encompassing both day and night.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is highlighting the importance of utilizing every moment of our lives wisely. If we allow our nights and days to pass us by without purposeful action, we will be left with regret and a wasted life. This Hadith serves as a reminder to Muslims that time is a precious resource, and we must make the most of it.

The Quran provides us with numerous verses that emphasize the significance of time and its proper utilization. In Surah Al-Asr (Chapter 103), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

(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 reminds us that time is a limited resource, and the true value of our lives lies in utilizing it for good deeds, seeking knowledge, and helping others. If we fail to do so, we will be at a loss in the sight of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Another verse that supports the exegesis of this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Mu'minun (Chapter 23), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

(Quran 23:1-11)

Successful indeed are the believers, Those who offer their prayers with all solemnity and full submissiveness, And those who turn away from false and vain talk, And those who pay the Zakat, And those who guard their chastity, Except from their wives or the captives and slaves that their right hands possess, for then they are free from blame; But whoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors, Those who are faithfully true to their trusts and to their covenants, And those who strictly guard their prayers, Those will be the heirs, Who will inherit Paradise: they will dwell therein (forever).

This passage highlights the qualities of successful believers, including their commitment to prayer, avoidance of idle talk, fulfillment of obligations such as Zakat, and preservation of their trusts and covenants. These actions require the proper utilization of time and a conscious effort to make the most of every moment.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is urging us to reflect on the passing of time and its impact on our lives. If we allow our nights and days to pass without engaging in acts of worship, seeking knowledge, or serving humanity, we will age physically and spiritually. Our lives will become devoid of purpose and fulfillment.

This Hadith serves as a wake-up call for Muslims to seize every opportunity to make a positive difference in the world. It reminds us to prioritize our time, invest it in actions that bring us closer to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), and benefit our fellow human beings.

Let us not be complacent and let our lives slip away without purpose. Instead, let us strive to make the most of every moment, utilizing our nights and days to seek knowledge, perform acts of worship, and engage in righteous deeds. By doing so, we will not only age gracefully but also leave a lasting legacy of goodness and righteousness.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to utilize our time effectively and make the most of our lives. May He bless us with the ability to age gracefully and leave a positive impact on the world. Ameen.