Hadith #3555

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 Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

This world is neither clean for any drinker [to drink from] nor is it loyal to any owner.

Let us delve into the essence of this statement and explore its implications in light of the Quran.

Firstly, let us examine the key words in this Hadith. The word (safu) "صَفُو" means clean or pure, while (tasfu) "تَصْفُو" is the verb form meaning to be clean or pure. Similarly, the word (fi) "فِي" means for or to, and (sharib) "شَارِب" refers to a drinker. Furthermore, (tafi) "تَفِي" is the verb form meaning to be loyal or faithful, and (sahib) "صَاحِب" refers to an owner or possessor.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hadid (57:20),

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 - like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris.

This verse highlights the fleeting nature of worldly possessions and pleasures. The world, with all its material attractions, is merely a temporary source of amusement and adornment. It is like a rain that brings temporary growth to plants, but eventually dries up, withers away, and turns into scattered debris. Similarly, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that this world is not pure or clean for anyone to rely on or derive ultimate satisfaction from.

Moreover, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us 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.

This verse emphasizes the transitory nature of life in this world. Death is inevitable, and the true reward and compensation for our actions will be granted in the Hereafter. The life of this world is described as the enjoyment of delusion, highlighting the temporary nature of its pleasures and the illusion they create.

Therefore, when Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states that this world is neither clean for any drinker nor loyal to any owner, he is reminding us of the impermanence and unreliability of worldly attachments. Just as a drinker cannot find true purity in this world, nor can an owner find lasting loyalty from it. Worldly possessions and pleasures may provide temporary satisfaction, but they can never fulfill the deeper spiritual needs of the human soul.

This Hadith serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to prioritize the eternal and everlasting rewards of the Hereafter over the fleeting pleasures of this world. It encourages us to detach ourselves from materialism and focus on cultivating a strong relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and seeking His pleasure.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the temporary nature of this world and its inability to provide true purity or loyalty. It urges us to seek fulfillment and contentment through our connection with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and the pursuit of righteous deeds. May Allah guide us to understand the deeper meanings of His words and grant us the wisdom to prioritize the eternal over the temporary.