Hadith #504

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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

كُلَّما قارَبتَ أجَلاً فَأحْسِنْ عَمَلاً۔

This can be translated as,

Every moment you come closer to death, so improve your deeds.

This thought-provoking Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) urges Muslims to constantly strive for righteousness and excellence in their actions, as the proximity of death should serve as a reminder of the transient nature of this worldly life.

The word (qarabta) "قارَبتَ" in the Hadith means "to come closer" or "to approach." It signifies the gradual progression towards the end of one's life, which is inevitable for every human being. This word emphasizes the certainty of death and the urgency to make the most of the time we have been given in this world.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) then advises us to (ihsin 'amalan) "أحْسِنْ عَمَلاً", which means "improve your deeds" or "do good actions." This instruction highlights the importance of continuously striving for excellence in our actions and intentions. It encourages us to enhance the quality of our deeds, seeking to please Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and attain His pleasure.

This Hadith aligns with the teachings of the Quran, which repeatedly emphasizes the significance of righteous deeds and the fleeting nature of life. 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 reminds us that the passage of time is a reminder of our mortality and the need to engage in righteous actions.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Mulk (67:2), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

It is He who created death and life to test you as to which of you is best in deed.

This verse highlights the purpose of our existence, which is to strive for excellence in our actions and to demonstrate our devotion to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to constantly evaluate their actions and strive for improvement. It encourages us to reflect on the transient nature of life and the inevitability of death, motivating us to make the most of the time we have been given. By continuously improving our deeds, we can seek Allah's (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) pleasure and strive to attain excellence in all aspects of our lives.

This Hadith also highlights the importance of self-accountability and self-improvement. It reminds us that our actions have consequences and that we will be held accountable for them in the Hereafter. By constantly striving to improve our deeds, we can purify our intentions, enhance our character, and cultivate a strong connection with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to continuously improve their deeds as they approach the inevitable reality of death. It urges us to reflect on the transient nature of life and the importance of striving for righteousness and excellence in all aspects of our lives. By aligning our actions with the teachings of the Quran, we can seek Allah's (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) pleasure and strive to attain excellence in this world and the Hereafter. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to improve our deeds and make the most of the time we have been given.