Hadith #7249

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,

لَمْ يَعْقِلْ مَنْ وَلِهَ بِاللَّعْبِ واسْتُهْتِرَ بِاللَّهْوِ والطَّرَبِ

which can be translated as,

He who is distracted by idle sport and seeks pleasure in amusement and song, has no intelligence.

Let us now delve into the meanings of some key words in this Hadith. The word (la'b) "لَعْب" refers to idle sport or play, while (istuhtira) "استُهْتِرَ" means to seek pleasure or indulge in amusement. (lahw) "اللَّهْوِ" refers to vain and frivolous activities, and (tarab) "الطَّرَبِ" refers to song or music.

To understand the wise message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-An'am (6:32),

And the worldly life is not but amusement and diversion; but the home of the Hereafter is best for those who fear Allah, so will you not reason?

This verse highlights the transient nature of worldly pleasures and emphasizes the importance of focusing on the eternal life to come. It reminds us that indulging excessively in amusement and entertainment can distract us from our ultimate purpose in life, which is to worship and seek the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qasas (28:77), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns,

But seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter; and [yet], do not forget your share of the world. And do good as Allah has done good to you. And desire not corruption in the land. Indeed, Allah does not like corrupters.

This verse teaches us the importance of striking a balance between our worldly responsibilities and our spiritual pursuits. While we are encouraged to enjoy the blessings of this world, we must not allow ourselves to become so engrossed in worldly pleasures that we neglect our duties towards Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and our fellow human beings.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, reminds us in this Hadith that those who prioritize idle sport, amusement, and song over matters of greater importance lack intelligence. This is because they fail to recognize the fleeting nature of worldly pleasures and the significance of dedicating their time and energy to matters of substance and purpose.

When one becomes preoccupied with trivial pursuits, they lose sight of their true potential and the higher aspirations that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) has bestowed upon them. They neglect the opportunity to seek knowledge, engage in acts of worship, and contribute positively to society. Such individuals become trapped in a cycle of instant gratification, devoid of deeper meaning and fulfillment.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we are reminded to prioritize our time and energy wisely, seeking activities that bring us closer to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and contribute to our personal growth and the betterment of society. We should engage in beneficial pursuits, such as seeking knowledge, performing acts of kindness, and striving for self-improvement.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to recognize the true value of our time and guide us towards actions that bring us closer to Him. May we strive to strike a balance between the enjoyment of this world and the pursuit of the Hereafter, and may our actions be guided by intelligence and purpose.