Hadith #345

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 hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states:

Many a man faces a day after which he finds no day and many a man is in an enviable position in the earlier part of the night but is wept over by bewailing women in its later part.

This profound statement by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the transient nature of worldly affairs and the unpredictability of life's circumstances.

Let us delve into the important words of this hadith. The word (mustaqbil) "مُسْتَقْبِلٍ" refers to the future or the days to come. It signifies the time that lies ahead of an individual. On the other hand, (mustadbir) "مُسْتَدْبِرِهِ" refers to the past or the days that have already passed. It represents the time that is behind an individual. The word (maghbuut) "مَغْبُوطٍ" means enviable or fortunate, while (bawaakihi) "بَوَاكِيهِ" refers to the bewailing women who mourn over someone's misfortune.

To understand the deeper meaning of this hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us in Surah Al-Imran, verse 185:

Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Resurrection.

This verse emphasizes the inevitability of death and the fact that our true recompense lies in the Hereafter. It serves as a reminder that the fleeting joys and sorrows of this world are temporary and will ultimately be replaced by the eternal consequences of our actions.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hadid, verse 20, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states:

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.

This verse highlights the transient nature of worldly pursuits and the distractions they create. It reminds us that true success lies in seeking the pleasure of Allah and preparing for the everlasting life to come.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) hadith serves as a profound reflection on the unpredictability of life. It cautions us against becoming complacent in times of ease and reminds us to remain steadfast in times of difficulty. Just as a person may face a day that brings no further days, indicating the sudden end of their life, they may also experience a period of apparent success and happiness, only to be met with sorrow and mourning later on.

This hadith serves as a reminder of the impermanence of worldly pleasures and the importance of focusing on the eternal. It encourages us to prioritize our actions and intentions, seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) above all else. It teaches us to be grateful for the blessings we have, while remaining humble and mindful of the transient nature of worldly affairs.

In conclusion, the hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to reflect on the transient nature of life and the importance of prioritizing the Hereafter. It encourages us to seek the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in all our actions, and to remain steadfast in times of both ease and hardship. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to understand the deeper meanings of His words and the guidance to live our lives in accordance with His teachings.