Hadith #558

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 Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

There is no substitute for the Hereafter; and this world is not the price of one’s soul.

This beautiful Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of prioritizing the eternal life in the Hereafter over the temporary and fleeting pleasures of this worldly life.

Let us delve into the meanings of the key words in this Hadith. The word (iwad) "عِوَضٌ" refers to a substitute or compensation. It implies that there is nothing in this world that can replace or compensate for the rewards and blessings of the Hereafter. The word (dunya) "دُّنْيا" refers to the material world, the temporal life that we are currently living in. And the word (nafs) "نَّفْسِ" refers to the soul or the self.

To further understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Kahf (18:46),

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 emphasizes that the material possessions and worldly attachments are merely temporary adornments, while the lasting good deeds are what truly matter in the sight of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Similarly, in Surah Al-Qasas (28:60), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

And whatever you have been given is an enjoyment of the worldly life and its adornment, and what is with Allah is better and more lasting. So will you not use reason?

This verse reminds us that the pleasures and luxuries of this world are temporary, while the rewards and blessings in the Hereafter are far superior and everlasting.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to prioritize their actions and intentions towards the Hereafter. It urges us to detach ourselves from the materialistic pursuits of this world and focus on building a strong connection with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) through righteous deeds.

By recognizing that this world is not the price of our souls, we are motivated to seek the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and strive for the eternal rewards of the Hereafter. This understanding helps us overcome the temptations and distractions of worldly desires, enabling us to make choices that align with our ultimate goal of attaining success in the Hereafter.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, highlights the transient nature of this world and the everlasting nature of the Hereafter. His words serve as a constant reminder for Muslims to prioritize their actions and intentions towards the eternal life to come. May we all strive to follow the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and seek the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in all that we do.