Hadith #4624

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.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of detaching oneself from the worldly pleasures and being cautious of becoming too attached to them. Let us delve deeper into the words of this profound Hadith and explore its meaning in the light of the Quran.

The first word in the Hadith that requires attention is (izhad) "اِزْهَدْ", which means to renounce or abstain from. This word signifies the need for Muslims to detach themselves from the materialistic allurements of this world. It is a call to prioritize the eternal life in the hereafter over the temporary pleasures of this worldly life.

This concept of renouncing the worldly pleasures is beautifully echoed in the Quran. 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. And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and approval. And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion.

The next word in the Hadith is (aghzif) "اغْزِفْ", which means to turn away from or avoid. This word highlights the importance of not being captivated by the attractions of this world. It urges Muslims to resist the temptations that may lead them astray from the path of righteousness.

In the Quran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) advises us to turn away from the distractions of this world in Surah Al-Qasas (28:77),

But seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter; and [yet], do not forget your share of the world. And do good as Allah has done good to you. And desire not corruption in the land. Indeed, Allah does not like corrupters.

The Hadith then warns us about the consequences of being too attached to this world. It cautions us that death may come upon us while we are still engrossed in the pursuit of worldly desires, leading to a state of wretchedness. This serves as a reminder that our hearts should not be overly attached to the temporary pleasures of this life, as they can lead us away from our ultimate purpose of seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

The Quran reinforces this message in Surah Al-Qasas (28:60),

And whatever you have been given is an enjoyment of the worldly life and its adornment, and that which is with Allah is better and more lasting; so will you not use reason?

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hadid (57:22), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us,

No disaster strikes upon the earth or among yourselves except that it is in a register before We bring it into being - indeed that, for Allah, is easy.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we realize that it serves as a reminder to Muslims to prioritize the eternal life in the hereafter over the temporary pleasures of this world. It urges us to detach ourselves from the materialistic allurements and to be cautious of becoming too attached to them. By doing so, we protect ourselves from the wretchedness that can result from being overly engrossed in worldly pursuits.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) possessed immense knowledge and wisdom, and his teachings continue to guide and inspire Muslims to this day. This Hadith is a testament to his profound understanding of the human nature and the importance of seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) above all else.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength to detach ourselves from the worldly distractions and to focus on the eternal life in the hereafter. May He guide us to follow the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and the noble Quran, and may He bless us with success in both this world and the hereafter.