Hadith #9970

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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states:

غائِبُ المَوْتِ أحَقُّ مُنْتَظَر وأقْرَبُ قادِم۔

This can be translated as:

The absent death is more deserving of being awaited and is closer in its approach [than any other traveller whose return is expected].

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this beautiful Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and explore its significance in light of the Quran.

The word (gha'ib) "غائِبُ" in this Hadith refers to death, which is unseen and unknown to us. It is a reality that every soul will eventually face, but the exact time and circumstances of our departure from this world remain concealed from us. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) describes death as (ahqu montazar) "أحَقُّ مُنْتَظَر", meaning it is more deserving of being awaited. This implies that we should always be prepared for death, as it is inevitable and can come upon us at any moment. Just as we eagerly await the return of a loved one who is traveling, we should also eagerly anticipate death and prepare ourselves for the journey to the hereafter.

The phrase (wa aqrabu qadim) "وأقْرَبُ قادِم" in the Hadith emphasizes the proximity of death. It is closer in its approach than any other traveler whose return is expected. This highlights the certainty and imminence of death. We often make plans for the future, assuming that we have ample time to fulfill our desires and rectify our wrongdoings. However, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that death is not a distant event but rather a traveler who is approaching rapidly. Therefore, we must prioritize our actions and make the most of the time we have been granted in this world.

The Quran provides numerous verses that support the exegesis of this Hadith. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Mulk (67:2):

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.

This verse reminds us that death is a creation of Allah, designed to test us and determine the quality of our deeds. It serves as a reminder that our time in this world is limited, and we must strive to excel in our actions and seek forgiveness from Allah before it is too late.

Another verse that aligns with the message of the Hadith is found 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 inevitability of death and the importance of preparing for the hereafter. It reminds us that the true compensation for our deeds will be received on the Day of Resurrection, and the fleeting pleasures of this world are merely an illusion.

Reflecting on the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and the supporting Quranic verses, we are reminded of the transient nature of this worldly life and the certainty of death. It serves as a wake-up call for us to prioritize our actions and strive for righteousness. We should not be complacent or deceived by the temporary pleasures of this world, but rather focus on preparing for the eternal life in the hereafter. Just as we eagerly await the return of a loved one, let us eagerly anticipate death and work towards meeting our Lord with a pure heart and righteous deeds.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to understand the significance of this Hadith and the ability to live our lives in accordance with its teachings. May He guide us to make the most of our time in this world and grant us a good end. Ameen.