Hadith #576

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due 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, "لاتَجْتَمِعُ الآخِرَةُ وَالدُّنيا۔" This can be translated into English as,

The Hereafter and this world do not come together.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this enlightening saying of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in light of the Quran.

The word (Hereafter) "آخِرَةُ" refers to the eternal life that awaits us after death, where we will be held accountable for our actions in this worldly life. It is a realm of everlasting bliss or torment, depending on how we lived our lives on earth. The word (this world) "دُّنيا۔" refers to the transient and temporary life we are currently living in, filled with trials, tribulations, and worldly pursuits.

In the Quran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly reminds us of the impermanence and insignificance of this world in comparison to the Hereafter. Allah 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. 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 that the true reward and recompense for our deeds will be given to us on the Day of Resurrection, in the Hereafter. The life of this world is merely a temporary illusion, filled with fleeting pleasures and distractions that can divert us from our ultimate purpose.

Another verse that supports the statement of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is found in Surah Al-Kahf (18:45), where Allah says,

And present to them the example of the life of this world, [its being] like rain which We send down from the sky, and the vegetation of the earth mingles with it and [then] it becomes dry remnants, scattered by the winds. And Allah is ever, over all things, Perfect in Ability.

This analogy illustrates the transient nature of this world. Just as rainwater nourishes the earth and causes vegetation to flourish, it eventually dries up and disintegrates, leaving behind nothing but scattered remnants. Similarly, the pleasures and possessions of this world will eventually fade away, and only our deeds and actions in the Hereafter will hold any value.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder to Muslims that our focus should not be solely on the materialistic pursuits of this world. Instead, we should prioritize our spiritual growth, seeking closeness to Allah and preparing for the eternal life that awaits us.

By recognizing the temporary nature of this world and the everlasting nature of the Hereafter, we can make informed choices and prioritize our actions accordingly. This understanding should motivate us to engage in acts of worship, seek knowledge, and strive for moral excellence, as these are the deeds that will benefit us in the Hereafter.

Furthermore, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement reminds us of the consequences of neglecting the Hereafter. If we become too engrossed in the pursuit of worldly pleasures and neglect our spiritual obligations, we risk losing sight of our ultimate purpose and jeopardizing our eternal salvation.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ),

The Hereafter and this world do not come together,

serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to prioritize the eternal life of the Hereafter over the temporary pleasures and distractions of this world. It urges us to focus on our spiritual growth, seek closeness to Allah, and engage in righteous actions that will benefit us in the everlasting realm of the Hereafter. May Allah guide us all to make wise choices and grant us success in both this world and the Hereafter.