Hadith #3583

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all 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,

اِحْذَرُوا الزّائِلَ الشَّهيَّ، والفانِيَ المَحْبُوبَ۔

This Hadith carries a wise message, urging Muslims to be cautious of two things: the vanishing desirable and the perishing beloved.

Let us delve into the meanings of the key words in this Hadith. The word (za'il) "زائِلَ" refers to something that is transient, fleeting, or temporary. It denotes the impermanence of worldly desires and pleasures. The word (shahiyya) "شَّهيَّ" is derived from the root word (shahwa) "شَهْوَة", which means desire or lust. It refers to the intense and passionate desires that can lead one astray if not controlled.

Furthermore, the word (faniya) "فانِيَ" means something that is perishable, transient, or passing. It signifies the temporary nature of worldly attachments and possessions. Lastly, the word (mahbuba) "مَحْبُوبَ" refers to something or someone beloved or cherished.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us in Surah Al-Imran, verse 14:

Beautified for people is the love of that which they desire - of women and sons, heaped-up sums of gold and silver, fine branded horses, and cattle and tilled land. That is the enjoyment of worldly life, but Allah has with Him the best return.

This verse highlights the allure of worldly desires and possessions, which can captivate the hearts of individuals. However, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us that these are merely temporary enjoyments of this worldly life. They are fleeting and will ultimately perish. Therefore, we should be cautious and not let ourselves be consumed by these transient desires and attachments.

In Surah Al-Hadid, verse 20, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states:

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 further emphasizes the temporary nature of worldly pleasures and possessions. It likens them to a fleeting rain that brings temporary growth but eventually withers away. Just like the rainwater evaporates, leaving behind scattered debris, the worldly desires and attachments will also fade away, leaving us empty-handed.

Reflecting on the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in light of these Quranic verses, we understand that it serves as a reminder to Muslims to prioritize the eternal over the temporary. It urges us to be cautious of becoming too attached to worldly desires and possessions, as they are transient and will eventually perish.

By being mindful of the fleeting nature of worldly pleasures, we can strive to focus on the everlasting rewards of the Hereafter. This Hadith encourages us to invest our time, energy, and resources in actions that will have a lasting impact and bring us closer to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It reminds us to seek the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and to prioritize the pursuit of knowledge, good deeds, and the development of our spiritual selves.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to be cautious of the transient nature of worldly desires and attachments. It urges us to prioritize the eternal over the temporary and to seek the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) above all else. By doing so, we can lead a more fulfilling and purposeful life, focused on the Hereafter and the attainment of everlasting rewards. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to heed this advice and to live our lives in accordance with His guidance.