Hadith #3721

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 beautifully describes the transient nature of this worldly life. Let us delve into the meanings of the important words used in this Hadith and explore their significance in light of the Quran.

The word (matāʿu) "مَتاعُ" in Arabic refers to something that is temporary and transient, an enjoyment or provision that is meant to be used for a limited time. It implies that the pleasures and possessions of this world are not everlasting, but rather fleeting and perishable.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) then compares this world to a (sirāb) "سَراب", which is a mirage. A mirage is an optical illusion that appears in the desert, giving the impression of water where there is none. Just as a mirage is an illusion that vanishes upon closer inspection, the attractions and allurements of this world are deceptive and transient.

Furthermore, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) likens this world to passing clouds, which are temporary and constantly changing. Clouds move swiftly across the sky, and just as they come and go, so do the days of our lives in this world. The passing of time is inevitable, and it reminds us of the impermanence of worldly pleasures and the need to focus on the eternal.

The Quran provides us with numerous verses that support the exegesis of this Hadith. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us 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 emphasizes that the attractions of this world, such as wealth, children, and material possessions, are temporary and fleeting. They may bring temporary pleasure and satisfaction, but ultimately they wither away and become worthless.

In Surah Al-Kahf (18:45), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

And present to them the example of the life of this world, [its being] like rain which We send down from the sky, and the vegetation of the earth mingles with it and [then] it becomes dry remnants, scattered by the winds. And Allah is ever, over all things, Perfect in Ability.

This verse beautifully illustrates the transitory nature of this world. Just as rain brings life to the earth, nourishing the vegetation, it eventually dries up and disintegrates. Similarly, the pleasures and possessions of this world may bring temporary joy, but they will eventually fade away.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we are reminded of the importance of prioritizing the eternal over the temporary. Our focus should be on building a strong relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), seeking His pleasure, and preparing for the everlasting life of the Hereafter. The fleeting nature of this world should serve as a motivation for us to invest our time and efforts in actions that will benefit us in the eternal realm.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his profound knowledge and wisdom, urges us to detach ourselves from the transitory attractions of this world. By recognizing the temporary nature of worldly pleasures, we can avoid becoming attached to them and instead focus on the pursuit of spiritual growth and the attainment of everlasting happiness.

May Allah (تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to understand the true nature of this world and guide us to prioritize the eternal over the temporary. May we strive to follow the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and seek closeness to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in all aspects of our lives. Ameen.