Hadith #3828

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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) contains profound wisdom and guidance for Muslims. Let us delve into its exegesis and explore its deeper meaning in light of the Quran.

The first part of the Hadith states,

Whatever does not benefit, harms.

Here, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of seeking beneficial knowledge, actions, and relationships. Anything that does not bring us closer to Allah and does not contribute positively to our spiritual and worldly well-being is ultimately harmful. This aligns with the teachings of the Quran, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:195),

And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is Taqwa (consciousness of Allah).

Furthermore, the second part of the Hadith states,

This world with its sweetness, becomes bitter.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that the allure and temporary pleasures of this world can deceive us. Material possessions, wealth, and worldly desires may initially bring sweetness to our lives, but they can quickly turn bitter if they become the sole focus of our existence. The Quran echoes this sentiment in Surah Al-Hadid (57:20),

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.

The final part of the Hadith states,

Poverty with [seeking] sufficiency through Allah, never harms.

Here, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of contentment and reliance on Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in times of poverty. True poverty lies in the absence of faith and trust in Allah, not in the lack of material possessions. The Quran beautifully illustrates this concept in Surah At-Talaq (65:3),

And will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allah - then He is sufficient for him.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) wise words remind us to prioritize seeking beneficial knowledge and actions, to be mindful of the temporary nature of worldly pleasures, and to find contentment and sufficiency in our reliance on Allah. By doing so, we can protect ourselves from harm and attain true success in this life and the hereafter.

Let us reflect on this Hadith and strive to apply its teachings in our daily lives. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to discern between beneficial and harmful matters, and may He bless us with contentment and sufficiency through our reliance on Him.