Hadith #9989

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, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

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

مَنْ أيْقَنَ بِالنُّقْلَةِ تَأهَّبَ لِلْرَّحِيلِ۔

This Hadith can be translated as,

One who is certain of the [eventual] departure [from this world] prepares for the journey.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this profound Hadith in light of the Quran. The word (aiqana) "أيْقَنَ" in this Hadith refers to having certainty or conviction. It implies a firm belief in the reality of the departure from this worldly life. This certainty should not be based on mere speculation or assumption, but rather on a deep understanding of the transient nature of this world and the inevitability of death.

Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us in the Quran of the temporary nature of this worldly life in Surah Al-Hadid, Ayah 20:

Know that the life of this world is only play and amusement, pomp and mutual boasting among you, and rivalry in respect of wealth and children. It is like a rain whose vegetation pleases the tillers; then it dries up and you see it turning yellow; then it becomes straw. And in the Hereafter, there is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and His pleasure. And the life of this world is only a deceiving enjoyment.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) urges us to prepare for the journey of departure from this world. This preparation entails not only physical arrangements but also spiritual and moral readiness. It involves purifying our hearts, rectifying our intentions, and seeking forgiveness for our sins. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us in Surah Al-Taghabun, Ayah 16:

So fear Allah as much as you are able and listen and obey and spend [in the way of Allah]; it is better for your selves. And whoever is protected from the stinginess of his soul - it is those who will be the successful.

Preparing for the journey of departure also means striving to accumulate good deeds and seeking closeness to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). In Surah Al-Hadid, Ayah 21, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Beautified for people is the love of that which they desire - of women and sons, heaped-up sums of gold and silver, fine branded horses, and cattle and tilled land. That is the enjoyment of worldly life, but Allah has with Him the best return.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that this world is merely a temporary abode, and our true home lies in the Hereafter. Therefore, it is essential to prioritize our actions and intentions accordingly. We should strive to seek the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and focus on building a strong relationship with Him.

In Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah 197, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Hajj is [during] well-known months, so whoever has made Hajj obligatory upon himself therein [by entering the state of ihram], there is [to be for him] no sexual relations and no disobedience and no disputing during Hajj. And whatever good you do - Allah knows it. And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is Taqwa. So fear Me, O you of understanding.

Just as a traveler prepares provisions for a journey, a believer must prepare their provisions of Taqwa (God-consciousness) for the journey of departure from this world. Taqwa is the shield that protects us from the temptations of this worldly life and helps us navigate the challenges we encounter. It is through Taqwa that we can attain success in the Hereafter.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the certainty of our eventual departure from this world. It urges us to prepare for this journey by focusing on our spiritual growth, seeking forgiveness, and accumulating good deeds. We should prioritize our actions and intentions in accordance with the teachings of the Quran and the guidance of the Ahl al-Bayt. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to prepare for the journey of departure and bless us with success in the Hereafter.