Hadith #2961

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.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he expresses his acceptance of death and compares it to the state of a traveler who has reached his destination or a seeker who has found what he was looking for. Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The key words in this Hadith are (faja'ani) "فَجَعَنِي", which means

the sudden coming of,

(karai'tuhu) "كَرِهْتُهُ", which means

I do not hate it,

(ankartuhu) "أنْكَرْتُهُ", which means

I do not reject it,

(ka-gharib) "كَغارِب", which means "like a traveler," and (ta-lib) "طالِب", which means "a seeker."

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Ankabut (29:57),

Every soul will taste death. Then to Us will you be returned.

This verse reminds us that death is an inevitable reality that every soul will experience. It is a journey that we all must undertake, and Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) acknowledges this with acceptance and tranquility.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qasas (28:88), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And do not invoke any deity alongside Allah. There is no deity except Him. Everything will be destroyed except His Face. His is the judgement, and to Him you will be returned.

This verse emphasizes the ultimate return to Allah and the transient nature of worldly life. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) understands this reality and embraces death as a means to reunite with his Creator.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) comparison of himself to a traveler who has reached his destination or a seeker who has found what he was looking for highlights his profound understanding of the purpose of life. In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:156), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Who, when disaster strikes them, say, 'Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return.'

This verse teaches us that believers recognize that this world is not our final abode, and death is a means of returning to our true home with Allah.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) exemplifies the mindset of a true believer who is content with the decree of Allah and embraces death as a natural part of the journey towards eternal bliss. He does not fear death, nor does he reject it, as he understands that it is a necessary step towards his ultimate destination. This mindset is rooted in his deep knowledge and understanding of the teachings of the Quran.

The motivation behind Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) acceptance of death lies in his unwavering faith in Allah's wisdom and the promise of the Hereafter. He recognizes that death is not an end but a transition to a realm where the believers will be rewarded for their deeds. This understanding serves as a source of solace and comfort for him, enabling him to face death with serenity and tranquility.

The consequence of Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) acceptance of death is the embodiment of true submission to the will of Allah. His words serve as a reminder to all Muslims that death is an inevitable reality that should not be feared or rejected. Instead, it should be embraced as a means of returning to our Creator and attaining eternal bliss.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we are reminded of the transient nature of this worldly life and the importance of preparing for the Hereafter. It encourages us to cultivate a mindset of acceptance and submission to the decree of Allah, recognizing that death is a natural part of our journey towards our ultimate destination. May Allah grant us the wisdom and strength to follow in the footsteps of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and face death with acceptance and tranquility.