Hadith #3873

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.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

مَنْ راقَهُ زِبْرِجُ الدُّنيا أعْقَبَ ناظِرَيْهِ كَمَها۔

This can be translated as,

Whoever is attracted by the dazzle of this world, it blinds both his eyes.

Let us delve into the meaning of the key words in this Hadith. The word "زِبْرِجُ" refers to the glitter or dazzle of this worldly life. It represents the allure and attractiveness of material possessions, wealth, and worldly pleasures. The word "أعْقَبَ" means to blind or obscure, indicating that being captivated by the glitter of this world leads to spiritual blindness and loss of insight.

To understand the impactful message of this Hadith, we turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns 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. And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and approval. And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion.

This ayah highlights the temporary nature of worldly pleasures and the delusion they create. The glitter and allure of this world may captivate us, but it is fleeting and ultimately leads to spiritual blindness. It distracts us from the true purpose of our existence, which is to seek the pleasure of Allah and prepare for the eternal life in the Hereafter.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Taghabun (64:14), Allah (تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

O you who have believed, indeed, among your wives and your children are enemies to you, so beware of them. But if you pardon and overlook and forgive - then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

This ayah reminds us that our attachment to worldly possessions, including our families, can sometimes become a distraction from our spiritual growth. If we become too attached to them, they can hinder our progress towards Allah.

Reflecting on the Hadith, we can see that Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is warning us about the dangers of being captivated by the glitter and allure of this world. When we become infatuated with material possessions, wealth, and worldly pleasures, it blinds us to the true purpose of our existence. We lose sight of the importance of seeking Allah's pleasure and preparing for the Hereafter.

This Hadith serves as a reminder for us to prioritize our spiritual growth and not be deceived by the temporary attractions of this world. We should strive to detach ourselves from the materialistic mindset and focus on the eternal rewards that await us in the Hereafter. By doing so, we can attain true insight and clarity of vision, enabling us to navigate through the challenges of this world while keeping our ultimate goal in mind.

May Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) grant us the wisdom to recognize the fleeting nature of worldly attractions and the strength to prioritize our spiritual journey. May we be guided by the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and the Quran, and may we strive to attain true insight and vision. Ameen.