Hadith #9929

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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

إنَّ مَنْ مَشى عَلى ظَهْرِ الأرْضِ لَصائِرٌ إلى بَطْنِها۔

This Hadith can be translated as,

Verily one who walks on the face of the earth will surely end up inside it.

To understand the connotation of this Hadith, let us delve into the key words and their implications. The word (masha) "مَشى" means to walk or move, indicating the physical action of traversing the earth. (dhahr) "ظَهْرِ" refers to the surface or back of something, in this context, the surface of the earth. And (batnihā) "بَطْنِها" means the inside or depths of the earth.

This Hadith emphasizes the transient nature of human existence and serves as a reminder of the inevitable return to the earth. It highlights the reality that every individual, regardless of their status or achievements, will eventually be buried in the earth. This serves as a humbling reminder of our mortality and the temporary nature of our worldly existence.

The Quran provides us with numerous verses that support the message conveyed in this Hadith. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Anbiya (21:35),

Every soul shall taste death. And We test you with evil and with good as trial; and to Us you will be returned.

This verse reminds us that death is an inevitable reality for every human being, and it is a test from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) to see how we respond to the challenges of life.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Mulk (67:2), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

It is He who created death and life to test you as to which of you is best in deed - and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving.

This verse reinforces the idea that life and death are part of Allah's divine plan and serve as a means of testing our actions and intentions.

Reflecting on the Hadith, we realize that it encourages us to contemplate the purpose of our existence and the transient nature of worldly pursuits. It reminds us to prioritize our actions and intentions, focusing on the eternal life to come rather than being consumed by the temporary pleasures of this world.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his profound knowledge and wisdom, delivered this Hadith to awaken our consciousness and remind us of the ultimate destination that awaits us all. By recognizing the inevitability of returning to the earth, we are motivated to lead a life of righteousness and strive for the eternal rewards promised by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

This Hadith also serves as a reminder of the consequences of our actions. Just as we will be buried in the earth, our deeds will also be accounted for on the Day of Judgment. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Imran (3:185),

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.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder of our mortality and the transient nature of our worldly existence. It encourages us to reflect on the purpose of our lives and prioritize our actions and intentions accordingly. By recognizing the inevitability of returning to the earth, we are motivated to lead a life of righteousness and strive for the eternal rewards promised by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to understand the deeper meanings of His words and the guidance to live a life that pleases Him.