Hadith #529

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his righteous companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states:

الرَّابِحُ مَنْ باعَ العاجِلَةَ بِالآجِلَةِ۔

This Hadith can be translated into English as:

The [true] winner is one who has sold this transitory life for the [eternal] Hereafter.

To understand the impactful message of this Hadith, let us delve into the meanings of some important words. The word (raabih) "رَابِحُ" refers to a winner or a successful person. (baa'a) "بَاعَ" means to sell or exchange. (al-'ajilah) "العَاجِلَةَ" signifies the transient and temporary aspects of this worldly life, while (al-'ajilah) "الآجِلَةِ" refers to the eternal and everlasting Hereafter.

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of prioritizing the eternal life over the temporary life of this world. It encourages Muslims to invest their efforts, time, and resources in actions that will benefit them in the Hereafter, rather than being solely focused on worldly gains and pleasures.

The Quran provides numerous verses that support the message of this Hadith. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 201:

And of them there are some who say: 'Our Lord! Give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the torment of the Fire!'

This verse highlights the importance of seeking goodness in both the worldly life and the Hereafter, acknowledging the significance of balancing our efforts for both realms.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Kahf, verse 46, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states:

Wealth and children are the adornment of the life of this world. But the good righteous deeds that last, are better with your Lord for rewards and better in respect of hope.

This verse reminds us that while worldly possessions and relationships may bring temporary happiness, it is the righteous deeds that endure and bring everlasting rewards in the sight of Allah.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith urges Muslims to reflect upon their priorities and make choices that align with the teachings of Islam. It encourages us to detach ourselves from the materialistic pursuits of this world and focus on actions that will secure our success in the Hereafter.

By selling the transitory life for the eternal Hereafter, we are reminded to invest in acts of worship, charity, seeking knowledge, and maintaining good character. These are the investments that will yield everlasting rewards and blessings from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). This Hadith motivates Muslims to strive for spiritual growth and righteousness, knowing that the true success lies in the Hereafter.

Moreover, this Hadith serves as a reminder that the choices we make in this world will have consequences in the Hereafter. It encourages us to reflect upon the temporary nature of worldly pleasures and to prioritize actions that will bring us closer to Allah and secure our place in the eternal abode.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of prioritizing the Hereafter over the transient life of this world. It urges Muslims to invest their efforts and resources in actions that will bring them eternal success and rewards. By aligning our choices and actions with the teachings of Islam, we can attain true success and secure a place in the everlasting abode of the Hereafter. May Allah guide us all to make choices that lead us to success in this life and the Hereafter.