Hadith #3645

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) highlights the deceptive nature of this worldly life. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) begins by stating that the outer appearance of this world is captivating and alluring, but its reality is destructive and fleeting. The phrase (yooniqu mantharoha) "يُونِقُ مَنْظَرُها" refers to how the world deceives people with its attractive facade, making them believe that it is a source of true happiness and fulfillment.

To support this understanding, we can turn to the Quran, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us about the temporary nature of worldly possessions and the distractions they create. In Surah Al-Hadid (57:20), Allah says,

Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children - like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further explains that the world is adorned with vanities and embellishments, enticing people with its temporary pleasures and materialistic pursuits. The phrase (wagharat bizaynatiha) "وَغَرَّتْ بِزينَتِها" emphasizes how the world captivates individuals through its alluring attractions, leading them astray from the path of righteousness.

The Quran also warns us about the deceptive nature of worldly adornments. In Surah Al-Imran (3:14), Allah 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) then describes this world as a lowly abode before its Lord. Despite its apparent grandeur, it holds no value in the sight of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). This notion is supported by the Quran in Surah Al-Kahf (18:45), where Allah says,

And present to them the example of the life of this world, [its being] like rain which We send down from the sky, and the vegetation of the earth mingles with it and [then] it becomes dry remnants, scattered by the winds. And Allah is ever, over all things, Perfect in Ability.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further explains that this world has become a mixture of the lawful and the forbidden, the good and the evil, and the sweet and the bitter. This mixing of opposites creates confusion and challenges for individuals to discern right from wrong. It is a test from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) to see how we navigate through the complexities of this world while adhering to His guidance.

The Quran reminds us of the importance of distinguishing between what is lawful and what is forbidden. In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:168), Allah says,

O mankind, eat from whatever is on earth [that is] lawful and good and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) concludes by stating that Allah has not cleansed this world for His friends nor has He withheld it from His enemies. This highlights the fact that the challenges and trials of this world are not exclusive to any particular group. Both the righteous and the wicked are tested in this life, and it is their actions and intentions that determine their ultimate fate.

In Surah Al-Anfal (8:28), Allah reminds us,

And know that your properties and your children are but a trial and that Allah has with Him a great reward.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to be cautious of the deceptive nature of this worldly life. It urges us to prioritize the pursuit of the eternal and everlasting rewards that Allah has promised, rather than being captivated by the temporary pleasures and distractions of this world. May Allah guide us all to the straight path and grant us the wisdom to navigate through the challenges of this life.