إنَّ للّهِ سُبْحانَهُ مَلَكاً يُنادي في كُلِّ يَوْم، يا أهْلَ الدُّنيا لِدُوا لِلْمَوتِ، وابْنُوا لِلْخَرابِ، واجْمَعُوا لِلذِّهابِ۔
Verily Allah, the Glorified, has an angel who calls out every day: “O people of the world, procreate for death, construct for destruction and gather up for departure!”.
— Imam Ali a.s.
(Ghurar al-Hikam: This World)
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 describes a message from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) delivered by an angel. The angel calls out to the people of the world, urging them to reflect upon three important aspects of life: procreation, construction, and departure.
The word (procreate) "دُوا" in the Hadith refers to the act of giving birth and continuing the cycle of life. It reminds us that life is transient and that death is inevitable. This call serves as a reminder to Muslims that they should not become too attached to the material world, but rather focus on preparing for the hereafter.
Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the transient nature of this world in the Quran in Surah Al-Hadid, verse 20:
Know that the life of this world is only play and amusement, pomp and mutual boasting among you, and rivalry in respect of wealth and children. It is like a rain (Ghayth), thereof the growth is pleasing to the tiller; afterwards it dries up and you see it turning yellow; then it becomes straw. But in the Hereafter (there is) a severe torment (for the disbelievers, evil-doers), and (there is) Forgiveness from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure (for the believers, good-doers), whereas the life of this world is only a deceiving enjoyment.
The word (destruction) "خَراب" in the Hadith refers to the construction and accumulation of worldly possessions. It reminds us that no matter how much we build or accumulate in this world, it will eventually be destroyed or left behind. This call serves as a reminder to Muslims to prioritize their actions and investments in the eternal life rather than solely focusing on worldly gains.
Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the temporary nature of worldly possessions in the Quran in Surah Al-Hadid, verse 21:
Race one with another in hastening towards Forgiveness from your Lord (Allah), and towards Paradise, the width whereof is as the width of heaven and earth, prepared for those who believe in Allah and His Messengers. That is the Grace of Allah which He bestows on whom He pleases. And Allah is the Owner of Great Bounty.
The word (departure) "ذِّهاب" in the Hadith refers to the ultimate departure from this world, which is death. It reminds us that we are all travelers in this world and will eventually return to our Creator. This call serves as a reminder to Muslims to constantly prepare for the journey to the hereafter by performing good deeds and seeking forgiveness.
Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us of the certainty of death in the Quran in Surah Al-Ankabut, verse 57:
Every soul shall taste death. Then unto Us you shall be returned.
Reflecting on this Hadith, we are reminded of the fleeting nature of life and the importance of focusing on the eternal. It serves as a call to action, urging us to prioritize our actions and investments in the hereafter. It motivates us to detach ourselves from the material world and instead invest in acts of worship, seeking forgiveness, and performing good deeds.
The consequences of heeding this call are profound. By procreating for death, we understand that our purpose in this world is not merely to accumulate wealth and possessions, but to prepare for the eternal life. By constructing for destruction, we realize that our efforts should be directed towards building a strong relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and performing acts of righteousness. By gathering up for departure, we recognize that our ultimate destination is the hereafter, and we should constantly strive to improve ourselves and seek forgiveness.
In conclusion, this Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder to Muslims of the transient nature of this world and the importance of preparing for the hereafter. It calls us to reflect on our actions, motivations, and priorities in life. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to understand the wise message of this Hadith and the ability to implement it in our lives.
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