Hadith #521

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 states,

You are the harvests of the appointed terms and the targets of death.

Let us delve into the meanings of the important words in this Hadith to gain a deeper understanding.

The word (harvests) "حَصَاد" refers to the gathering or reaping of crops at the end of their growth cycle. It signifies the culmination and culmination of a process. In this context, it represents the culmination of our lives, the end of our appointed terms in this world. The term (appointed terms) "آجال" refers to the predetermined periods of time that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) has decreed for each individual.

The word (targets) "أغْراض" refers to the objectives or aims that are sought after. In this Hadith, it symbolizes death, which is the ultimate aim or target that every human being will inevitably face. Death is a reality that no one can escape, and it is a reminder of the transient nature of this worldly life.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-An'am (6:2),

It is He who created you from clay and then decreed a term for you.

This verse emphasizes that Allah has created us and has also determined a specific time for each individual's existence in this world. Our lives are not random or aimless; rather, they are part of Allah's divine plan.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Mu'minun (23:12-14), Allah says,

Indeed, We created man from a sperm-drop mixture that We may try him; and We made him hearing and seeing. Indeed, We guided him to the way, be he grateful or be he ungrateful.

These verses highlight the purpose of our creation and the test that we are subjected to in this world. Our lives are a test, and the appointed terms mentioned in the Hadith are a reminder of the limited time we have to fulfill our purpose and strive for righteousness.

The phrase "targets of death" in the Hadith reminds us of the inevitability of death and the importance of preparing for the hereafter. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says 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.

This verse emphasizes that death is a reality that every soul will face, and it serves as a reminder to Muslims to live their lives in accordance with the teachings of Islam, seeking Allah's pleasure and preparing for the Day of Resurrection.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) enlightening saying in this Hadith serves as a reminder to Muslims that our lives are limited, and we must make the most of the time we have been given. It urges us to reflect on the purpose of our existence and to strive for righteousness and piety. Just as a farmer reaps the harvest at the end of the growth cycle, we too will face the culmination of our lives. Therefore, it is essential to prioritize our actions and strive to please Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in all aspects of our lives.

In conclusion, this Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder of the limited time we have in this world and the importance of preparing for the hereafter. It emphasizes the need to live our lives in accordance with the teachings of Islam and to strive for righteousness and piety. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and guidance to make the most of our appointed terms and to be prepared for the ultimate target of death.