Hadith #540

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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of prioritizing the Hereafter over the worldly life. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his profound knowledge and wisdom, advises Muslims to focus on attaining success in the Hereafter by abandoning the materialistic pursuits of this world. He warns against prioritizing worldly gains at the expense of one's faith.

Let us delve deeper into the words of this Hadith. The word (hasiloo) "حَصِّلُوا" means to attain or achieve, while (al-akhirah) "الآخِرَةَ" refers to the Hereafter. The word (bitarki) "بِتَركِ" means by abandoning or leaving, and (ad-dunya) "الدُّنيا" refers to the worldly life. Furthermore, (wala tuhasiloo) "ولاتُحَصِّلُوا" means

and do not acquire

or

do not try to acquire,

and (bitarki) "بِتَركِ" again means by abandoning. Lastly, (ad-deen) "الدِّينِ" refers to the faith or religion.

To understand the impactful message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:201):

And of them are some who say, '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 importance of seeking goodness in both this world and the Hereafter, but it does not imply prioritizing worldly gains over faith.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Kahf (18:46), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns against being deceived by the worldly life:

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 the true value lies in the enduring good deeds that we accumulate for the Hereafter, rather than the temporary adornments of this world.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder to Muslims that the pursuit of worldly gains should never come at the expense of our faith. It is crucial to strike a balance between our worldly responsibilities and our spiritual obligations. While we are encouraged to seek success and prosperity in this world, it should never be at the cost of compromising our religious principles and values.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advice holds significant consequences for our lives. By prioritizing the Hereafter, we align ourselves with the true purpose of our existence and ensure eternal success. On the other hand, if we prioritize worldly gains and abandon our faith, we risk losing the ultimate reward and facing the consequences in the Hereafter.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we can draw inspiration from the life of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) himself. Known for his unwavering commitment to Islam, he demonstrated the importance of prioritizing faith over worldly pursuits. Despite being faced with numerous challenges and temptations, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) remained steadfast in his devotion to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder to Muslims to prioritize the Hereafter over the temporary pleasures of this world. By abandoning the materialistic pursuits and focusing on our faith, we ensure success in both worlds. Let us strive to strike a balance between our worldly responsibilities and our spiritual obligations, following the example of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in all aspects of our lives. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us on the path of righteousness and grant us success in this world and the Hereafter.