مَا انْقَضَتْ ساعَةٌ مِنْ دَهْرِكَ إلاّ بِقِطْعَة مِنْ عُمْرِكَ۔
An hour of your time does not pass but that it cuts away a portion of your lifespan.
— Imam Ali a.s.
(Ghurar al-Hikam: Age And Lifespan)
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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of time and the importance of utilizing it wisely. The key words in this Hadith are (pass) "انقضت", (hour) "ساعة", (time) "دهر", (cuts away) "بقطعة", and (lifespan) "عمر".
The word (pass) "انقضت" signifies the movement of time, indicating that it continuously moves forward without pause. It emphasizes the fact that time is constantly slipping away from us. The word (hour) "ساعة" represents a unit of time, highlighting the significance of even the smallest increments of time. (time) "دهر" refers to the entirety of one's lifespan, encompassing all moments from birth to death. (cuts away) "بقطعة" conveys the idea that each passing hour diminishes a portion of our lifespan, emphasizing the irreversible nature of time. Finally, (lifespan) "عمر" refers to the duration of one's life, the finite period that is granted to us by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).
This profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) finds support in several verses of the Quran. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Asr (103:1-3),
By time, indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.
This verse highlights the importance of utilizing time wisely and engaging in righteous actions.
Furthermore, in Surah Al-Mu'minun (23:115), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,
Did you think that We had created you in play (without any purpose), and that you would not be brought back to Us?
This verse reminds us that our existence in this world is not a mere play or amusement, but rather a serious and purposeful journey. It emphasizes the need to reflect upon the passing of time and to make the most of it in fulfilling our responsibilities towards Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).
Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a wake-up call for Muslims, urging them to reflect on the value of time and to utilize it wisely. Each passing hour is a precious opportunity to engage in acts of worship, seek knowledge, do good deeds, and strengthen our relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It reminds us that time is a limited resource, and once it is gone, it can never be regained.
This Hadith also serves as a motivation for Muslims to prioritize their actions and make conscious choices in how they spend their time. It encourages them to avoid wasting time on idle pursuits and instead focus on activities that bring them closer to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It reminds us that every moment is an opportunity for growth, self-improvement, and the accumulation of good deeds.
Moreover, this Hadith highlights the consequences of neglecting the value of time. If we squander our hours in heedlessness, we risk losing out on the rewards and blessings that could have been attained through righteous actions. It serves as a reminder that we will be held accountable for how we have spent our time in this world, and that our choices will have eternal consequences.
Reflecting on this Hadith, Muslims should strive to make the most of every moment, seeking knowledge, engaging in acts of worship, and performing good deeds. They should be mindful of the fleeting nature of time and the importance of utilizing it wisely. By doing so, they can strive to fulfill their purpose in this world and attain success in the hereafter.
May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and guidance to make the most of our time, and may He bless us with the ability to utilize it in a manner that pleases Him. Ameen.
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