Hadith #3890

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.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

Whoever serves this world, it exploits him and whoever serves Allah, the Glorified, it (this world) serves him.

This thought-provoking saying highlights the stark contrast between serving the materialistic desires of this world and dedicating oneself to the service of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Let us delve into the meanings of some key words in this Hadith. The word (khadama) "خَدَمَ" means to serve or to be in the service of someone or something. It implies dedicating oneself to fulfilling the needs and desires of the entity being served. (ad-dunya) "الدُّنيا" refers to the worldly life, encompassing its material possessions, wealth, and transient pleasures. On the other hand, (Allah) "اللّهَ" refers to the Almighty, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, and the ultimate source of all power and authority.

To understand the impactful message of this Hadith, we turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:200),

So when you have completed your rites, remember Allah like your [previous] remembrance of your fathers or with [much] greater remembrance.

This verse emphasizes the importance of serving Allah and remembering Him, even in the midst of fulfilling our worldly obligations and desires.

Another verse that sheds light on the concept of serving Allah is found in Surah Al-Zumar (39:29), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Allah presents an example: a slave [who is] owned and unable to do a thing and he to whom We have provided from Us good provision, so he spends from it secretly and publicly. Can they be equal? Praise to Allah! But most of them do not know.

This verse highlights the distinction between those who serve Allah and those who are enslaved by their worldly desires. The one who serves Allah is blessed with provisions and blessings from Him, and they spend it in His cause, both openly and secretly.

Now, let us reflect on the wise message of Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith. When a person dedicates their life to serving the materialistic desires of this world, they become enslaved by it. They are constantly chasing after worldly possessions, wealth, and temporary pleasures, only to find themselves exploited and unfulfilled. The world, with all its allure, can never truly satisfy the human soul.

However, when a person chooses to serve Allah, dedicating their actions and intentions to His pleasure, the world itself becomes subservient to them. By prioritizing the worship of Allah and seeking His pleasure in all aspects of life, one finds true contentment and fulfillment. The world becomes a means to attain closeness to Allah, and all its resources and opportunities are utilized in His service.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) thought-provoking saying serves as a reminder for Muslims to prioritize their relationship with Allah over the pursuit of worldly desires. By dedicating ourselves to the service of Allah, we can transcend the limitations of this world and find eternal satisfaction and success. May Allah guide us all to serve Him with sincerity and grant us the ability to prioritize His pleasure over the fleeting pleasures of this world.