Hadith #1087

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.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he warns the Muslims about the danger of being deceived by false hopes and the consequences that follow. The key words in this Hadith are (if you are deceived) "اغْتَرَرْتُمْ" and (the fast approaching death) "بَوادِرُ الآجالِ".

The word "اغْتَرَرْتُمْ" comes from the root word "غَرَرَ" which means to deceive or to be deluded. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is warning the Muslims that if they allow themselves to be deceived by false hopes, they will be led astray from the path of righteousness. This deception can take many forms, such as being overly attached to worldly desires, material possessions, or relying on the false promises of this world.

To support this exegesis, we can turn to the Quran where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us about the deception of this worldly life. In Surah Al-Hadid, Allah says: (Quran 57:20)

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 second important phrase in this Hadith is "بَوادِرُ الآجالِ" which refers to the fast approaching death. The word "بَوَادِرُ" means the beginning or the onset, and "الآجالِ" refers to the appointed time or the term of life. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is reminding us that death is inevitable and that it can come upon us at any moment. If we are deceived by false hopes and neglect to perform good deeds, we will have lost the opportunity to prepare for the hereafter.

In the Quran, Allah repeatedly reminds us of the certainty of death and the importance of preparing for the hereafter. In Surah Al-Mulk, Allah says: (Quran 67:1-2)

Blessed is He in whose hand is the dominion, and He is over all things competent - [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.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warning in this Hadith serves as a wake-up call for Muslims to prioritize their actions and not be deceived by the fleeting pleasures of this world. It reminds us that our time in this world is limited and that we must make the most of it by performing good deeds and seeking the pleasure of Allah.

The consequences of being deceived by false hopes and neglecting good deeds are grave. We risk losing the opportunity to attain salvation and eternal bliss in the hereafter. Therefore, it is crucial for us to constantly reflect on the transient nature of this world and the certainty of death, and to strive towards righteousness and good deeds.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his profound knowledge and wisdom, provides us with a powerful reminder in this Hadith. It serves as a call to action for Muslims to be vigilant and not be swayed by the allure of this world. By focusing on the hereafter and prioritizing good deeds, we can safeguard ourselves from being deceived by false hopes and ensure our success in the eternal life to come.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to recognize the deception of this world and the motivation to perform good deeds. May He guide us to the straight path and grant us success in this life and the hereafter.