Hadith #3628

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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the transient nature of this worldly life and the importance of focusing on the eternal rewards of the hereafter. Let us delve into the profound wisdom contained within this Hadith and explore its implications in light of the Quran.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) begins by stating,

Verily the life of this world is short.

This emphasizes the brevity and fleeting nature of our existence in this world. The Quran affirms this reality in various verses, reminding us that our time on earth is limited. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says 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 - 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 states,

its good is little.

This highlights the limited amount of true goodness and lasting benefit that can be attained in this worldly life. The Quran echoes this sentiment in Surah Al-Kahf (18:45), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) 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) continues,

its approach is deceptive.

This warns us about the deceptive nature of worldly pursuits and the allure of material possessions. The Quran emphasizes this in Surah Al-Hadid (57:22), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

No disaster strikes upon the earth or among yourselves except that it is in a register before We bring it into being - indeed that, for Allah, is easy.

This verse reminds us that everything that happens in this world is predestined by Allah, and we should not be deceived by the temporary nature of worldly gains.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further states,

its turning away is agonizing.

This highlights the pain and regret that one may experience upon realizing the futility of worldly pursuits and the opportunities missed to seek the pleasure of Allah. The Quran emphasizes the consequences of turning away from the truth in Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:36), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Indeed, those who disbelieve - if they should have all that is in the earth and the like of it with it by which to ransom themselves from the punishment of the Day of Resurrection, it will not be accepted from them, and for them is a painful punishment.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) then states,

its pleasures are transient.

This reminds us that the pleasures and joys of this world are temporary and fleeting, and they cannot provide lasting fulfillment. The Quran affirms this in Surah Al-Imran (3:185), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained [his desire]. And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion.

Lastly, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

its consequences are lasting.

This serves as a reminder that our actions in this world have eternal consequences in the hereafter. The Quran emphasizes the everlasting nature of the consequences of our deeds in Surah Al-Imran (3:30), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

On the Day every soul will find what it has done of good present [before it] and what it has done of evil, it will wish that between itself and that [evil] was a great distance. And Allah warns you of Himself, and Allah is Kind to [His] servants.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to prioritize the eternal rewards of the hereafter over the temporary pleasures and pursuits of this worldly life. It urges us to reflect upon the brevity and deceptive nature of this world, and to invest our time and efforts in actions that will have lasting consequences. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to understand the true nature of this world and guide us towards actions that will lead to eternal success.