Hadith #3899

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due 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) serves as a profound reminder for all Muslims regarding the importance of our actions and their consequences in this world and the hereafter. Let us delve into the exegesis of this Hadith by exploring the meanings of its key words.

The first important word in this Hadith is (qaddamta) "قدَّمْتَ", which means

that which you send forth

or

that which you prioritize.

It refers to the actions, deeds, and efforts that we invest in during our lives. The second key word is (duniyaka) "دُنياكَ", which translates to "this world" or "the worldly life." It encompasses all the material possessions, wealth, and worldly pursuits that we engage in.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us that whatever we prioritize and invest in during our lives, whether it be our time, wealth, or efforts, it is ultimately for our own benefit. The actions we perform and the choices we make in this world have a direct impact on our spiritual growth and development. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us in the Quran:

(Quran 16:97)

Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer - We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do.

This verse emphasizes that the righteous actions we perform in this world have a positive impact on our lives, both in this world and the hereafter. When we prioritize acts of worship, charity, kindness, and obedience to Allah, we are nurturing our souls and paving the way for a prosperous and fulfilling life.

On the other hand, the Hadith also highlights the consequences of neglecting our duties and leaving behind worldly pursuits. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states that whatever we leave behind from this world will benefit our enemies. This refers to the material possessions, wealth, and worldly achievements that we accumulate but do not utilize for the sake of Allah and the betterment of humanity.

Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us in the Quran:

(Quran 8:28)

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

This verse reminds us that our worldly possessions are merely a test from Allah. If we become attached to them and neglect our spiritual obligations, they can become a means of distraction and harm. Moreover, when we leave behind our worldly pursuits without utilizing them for righteous purposes, they can be exploited by those who do not have our best interests at heart.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) profound advice serves as a wake-up call for Muslims to reflect upon their priorities and actions in this world. It urges us to invest our time, wealth, and efforts in acts of righteousness and to utilize our worldly possessions for the betterment of ourselves and humanity. By doing so, we not only secure our own benefit but also prevent our enemies from benefiting from our negligence.

Let us strive to prioritize our actions in accordance with the teachings of the Quran and the guidance of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his noble progeny. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to make the most of our lives in this world and the hereafter.