Hadith #3577

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 advises the Muslims to remove the love of this world from their hearts before their bodies depart from it. The word (akhrjoo) "أَخْرِجُوا" means "remove" or "take out," while (ad-dunya) "الدُّنيا" refers to "this world." The word (quloobikum) "قُلُوبِكُمْ" means "your hearts," and (ajsadukum) "أَجْسَادُكُمْ" refers to "your bodies." The phrase (fafīhā akhtubirtum) "فَفِيهَا اخْتُبِرْتُمْ" means

for in it you are tested,

and (lighayriha khuliqtum) "لِغَيْرِهَا خُلِقْتُمْ" translates to

for other than it have you been created.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is reminding us of the temporary nature of this world and the importance of detaching ourselves from its allurements. He advises us to remove the love of worldly possessions, desires, and attachments from our hearts before we depart from this world. This is because the love of this world can distract us from our true purpose in life and lead us astray from the path of righteousness.

The Quranic verses support this exegesis and emphasize the importance of prioritizing the hereafter over the worldly life. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:201):

Our Lord, give us in this world [that which is] good and in the Hereafter [that which is] good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.

This verse highlights the need to seek goodness in both this world and the hereafter, but with a clear understanding that the ultimate goal is the eternal life.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Kahf (18:46), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns against being deceived by the temporary pleasures of this world:

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 reminds us that material possessions and worldly attachments are merely temporary adornments, while the good deeds we perform for the sake of Allah are what truly matter and have everlasting rewards.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advice serves as a reminder that this world is a place of testing and trials. It is a transient abode where we are meant to prove our faith, patience, and devotion to Allah. By detaching ourselves from the love of worldly possessions and desires, we can focus on fulfilling our purpose in life and preparing for the eternal life in the hereafter.

The consequences of not heeding this advice are manifold. When we become too attached to the materialistic aspects of this world, our hearts become hardened, and our spiritual growth is hindered. We may become consumed by greed, envy, and selfishness, neglecting our duties towards Allah and our fellow human beings. This attachment can also lead to anxiety, dissatisfaction, and a constant pursuit of worldly pleasures, which ultimately leave us feeling empty and unfulfilled.

On the other hand, if we heed the advice of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and remove the love of this world from our hearts, we can experience a profound sense of peace, contentment, and spiritual growth. We will be able to prioritize our actions and intentions based on the pleasure of Allah, rather than seeking validation and fulfillment from worldly achievements. This detachment allows us to focus on the hereafter, where true success and eternal happiness lie.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we should strive to cultivate a mindset that recognizes the temporary nature of this world and the importance of prioritizing the hereafter. We should constantly evaluate our intentions and actions, ensuring that they align with the teachings of Islam and the pursuit of eternal success. By doing so, we can detach ourselves from the love of this world and attain a higher level of spiritual consciousness, drawing closer to Allah and preparing ourselves for the everlasting life to come.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to remove the love of this world from our hearts and prioritize the hereafter. May He guide us to live a life that is pleasing to Him and grant us success in both this world and the hereafter. Ameen.