Hadith #3877

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 family, his noble companions, and all the righteous Muslims.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

One who loves [to acquire] the prestige of [both] this world and the Hereafter must detest prestige in this world.

This profound statement by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of detaching oneself from worldly desires and focusing on the eternal rewards of the Hereafter.

Let us delve into the key words of this Hadith to gain a deeper understanding. The word (rif'ah) "رِفْعَةَ" refers to prestige, honor, or high status. It encompasses the desire for recognition, power, and wealth in this world. The word (dunya) "دُّنيا" refers to the temporal world, the life of this world, which is transient and fleeting. And the word (akhirah) "آخِرَةِ" refers to the Hereafter, the eternal life that awaits us after death.

To support the exegesis of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Isra (17:80),

And say: My Lord! Cause me to come in with a firm incoming and to go out with a firm outgoing. And give me from Thy presence a sustaining Power.

This verse emphasizes the importance of seeking strength and sustenance from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) rather than relying on worldly prestige.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Kahf (18:46), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Wealth and children are an adornment of the life of this world. But the good righteous deeds that last, are better with your Lord for rewards and better in respect of hope.

This verse reminds us that worldly possessions and status are merely temporary adornments, while the righteous deeds we perform for the sake of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) are what truly matter and will bring us eternal rewards.

Now, let us reflect on the impactful message conveyed by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in this Hadith. He teaches us that if we truly love and desire the prestige and honor of both this world and the Hereafter, we must detach ourselves from the pursuit of worldly prestige. This detachment does not mean that we should neglect our responsibilities or live in poverty, but rather it reminds us to prioritize our intentions and actions.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) encourages us to focus on seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and performing righteous deeds that will bring us true honor and prestige in the Hereafter. By detesting the pursuit of worldly prestige, we free ourselves from the shackles of materialism and ego, allowing us to attain spiritual elevation and closeness to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

This Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to reflect on their intentions and actions. It urges us to seek honor and prestige through acts of worship, kindness, and selflessness rather than through the accumulation of wealth, power, or fame. By detaching ourselves from the allure of worldly prestige, we can focus on cultivating qualities such as humility, gratitude, and sincerity, which are highly valued in Islam.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of detesting worldly prestige if we truly desire honor and prestige in both this world and the Hereafter. It reminds us to prioritize our intentions and actions, seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) above all else. By doing so, we can attain true honor and prestige that will endure beyond the transient nature of this world. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all to follow the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and grant us success in both this world and the Hereafter.