Hadith #1475

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:

بادِرُوا صالِحَ الأعْمالِ والخَناقُ مُهْمَلٌ والرُّوحُ مُرْسَلٌ۔

This Hadith encourages us to take the initiative to perform good deeds while we still have the freedom to do so, before the noose tightens around our necks and our souls are sent forth.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this profound Hadith by examining its key words. The word (badiru) "بادِرُوا" means to hasten or take the initiative. It emphasizes the importance of not delaying in performing righteous actions. (salih al-a'mal) "صالِحَ الأعْمالِ" refers to good deeds, actions that are in accordance with the teachings of Islam and beneficial to oneself and others. The word (khanāq) "خَناقُ" refers to a noose or a collar that tightens around the neck, symbolizing the constraints and limitations that may hinder us from performing good deeds in the future. Lastly, (ar-ruh) "الرُّوحُ" means the soul, and (mursal) "مُرْسَلٌ" means sent forth, indicating the departure of the soul from the physical body.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Mulk (67:2),

It is He who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed.

This verse reminds us that our time in this world is a test, and it is through our actions that we will be judged. Therefore, it is essential to seize the opportunity to engage in righteous deeds while we still have the freedom to do so.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Asr (103:1-3), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

By time, indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.

This verse highlights the importance of performing good deeds and encouraging one another towards righteousness. It emphasizes that time is fleeting, and if we do not seize the opportunity to engage in righteous actions, we will be at a loss.

Reflecting on the Hadith, we can understand that Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is urging us to be proactive in performing good deeds while we still have the freedom and ability to do so. He reminds us that the constraints and limitations of life may hinder us in the future, preventing us from engaging in acts of righteousness. Just as a noose tightens around the neck, the constraints of life can tighten around us, limiting our opportunities to do good. Similarly, our souls will eventually depart from this world, and we will no longer have the chance to perform deeds that can benefit us in the hereafter.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) thoughtful words serve as a reminder for us to prioritize and seize the opportunity to engage in righteous actions. We should not delay or procrastinate in performing good deeds, as time is fleeting and the constraints of life may hinder us. By taking the initiative to perform good deeds, we not only benefit ourselves but also contribute to the betterment of society and the fulfillment of our purpose in this world.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and motivation to heed the advice of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and strive to perform good deeds while we still have the opportunity. May we be among those who are proactive in seeking the pleasure of Allah and benefiting others, and may our actions be a means of attaining success in this life and the hereafter.