Hadith #10006

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 purified progeny, and his noble companions.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he beautifully describes the transient nature of life and the inevitability of death. Let us delve deeper into the words of this Hadith and explore its meaning in light of the Quran.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) begins by stating,

We are the helpers of death and our lives are targets of mortality.

Here, the Imam emphasizes the reality that death is an inescapable part of our existence. As human beings, we are not immune to the passage of time and the eventual end of our lives. Our mortality is a constant reminder of our limited time in this world and the need to prepare for the hereafter.

To support this understanding, we find numerous verses in the Quran that highlight the fleeting nature of life. For example, 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.

This verse reminds us that the pleasures and attractions of this world are temporary, and eventually, everything will come to an end.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further states,

So how can we expect to live forever while the night and day do not elevate anything in status but that they quickly destroyed that which they have built and separated that which they have brought together.

Here, the Imam draws our attention to the transient nature of worldly achievements and relationships. Just as the night and day do not elevate anything in status, but rather destroy and separate, our worldly endeavors are subject to the same fate.

This concept is beautifully illustrated in the Quranic verse from Surah Al-Qasas (28:88), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And do not invoke with Allah another deity. There is no deity except Him. Everything will be destroyed except His Face. His is the judgement, and to Him you will be returned.

This verse reminds us that everything in this world, no matter how grand or significant, will eventually perish except for the eternal existence of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Reflecting on this Hadith, we are reminded of the impermanence of worldly pursuits and the need to prioritize our efforts towards the eternal life in the hereafter. It serves as a wake-up call to reevaluate our priorities and invest in actions that will benefit us in the long run. We should strive to build a strong relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), seek knowledge, perform good deeds, and maintain strong bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) through this Hadith urges us to reflect on the transient nature of this world and to focus on the everlasting life that awaits us. Let us take heed of this profound reminder and strive to make the most of our time in this world, preparing ourselves for the eternal abode that lies ahead.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to understand the true nature of this world and guide us to prioritize our efforts towards the hereafter. Ameen.