Hadith #7623

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 noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states, "اِعْمَلْ تَدَّحِرْ۔" This can be translated as,

Act [in this world] so that you can store [provisions for the Hereafter].

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this thought-provoking saying in light of the Quran. The word (amal) "اِعْمَلْ" means to perform actions or deeds. It emphasizes the importance of actively engaging in righteous acts and fulfilling our obligations as Muslims. This includes acts of worship, such as prayer, fasting, giving charity, and performing Hajj, as well as acts of kindness, justice, and compassion towards others.

The word (taddahir) "تَدَّحِرْ" is derived from the root word (dahara) "دَحَرَ", which means to store or accumulate. In the context of this Hadith, it refers to accumulating provisions for the Hereafter. Just as we store provisions for our worldly needs, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to prioritize and invest in our spiritual well-being and eternal life.

The Quran provides numerous verses that support the exegesis of this Hadith. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 197:

Take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is righteousness.

This verse emphasizes the importance of prioritizing our spiritual provisions over worldly possessions. It reminds us that true success lies in righteousness and piety.

In Surah Al-Hadid, verse 18, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

Indeed, the men who practice charity and the women who practice charity and [they who] have loaned Allah a goodly loan - it will be multiplied for them, and they will have a noble reward.

This verse highlights the concept of investing in the Hereafter by performing acts of charity and lending to Allah through good deeds. It assures us that our efforts will be multiplied and rewarded generously.

Reflecting on the Hadith, we understand that Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is urging us to be proactive in our pursuit of righteousness. He encourages us to seize every opportunity to perform good deeds, knowing that these actions will serve as provisions for our eternal life. Just as we diligently work to accumulate wealth and material possessions in this world, we should exert even greater effort to accumulate spiritual wealth for the Hereafter.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) profound advice reminds us of the transient nature of this worldly life and the importance of preparing for the everlasting life to come. By prioritizing our spiritual growth and investing in acts of worship and kindness, we ensure that we are well-prepared for the Hereafter. This Hadith serves as a motivation for Muslims to constantly strive for excellence in their actions, knowing that their efforts will be rewarded by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in the eternal realm.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us to actively engage in righteous actions and accumulate provisions for the Hereafter. It emphasizes the importance of investing in our spiritual well-being and eternal life, just as we prioritize our worldly needs. By reflecting on the Quranic verses that support this Hadith, we gain a deeper understanding of its impactful message and are motivated to strive for excellence in our actions as Muslims. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all on the path of righteousness and grant us success in this world and the Hereafter.