Hadith #1154

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. Blessings and peace be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

ضِياعُ العُمْرِ بَيْنَ الآمالِ والمُنى۔

This can be translated as,

Lifetimes are wasted between hope and aspiration.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this thought-provoking Hadith in light of the Quranic teachings. The word (diya'u) "ضِياعُ" means wasting or squandering, while (al-'umr) "العُمْرِ" refers to the span of one's life. (bayna) "بَيْنَ" denotes the state of being in between, and (al-amal wal-munya) "الآمالِ والمُنى" translates to hope and aspiration.

This Hadith highlights the danger of wasting one's life in a state of constant hope and aspiration, without taking meaningful action. It serves as a reminder to Muslims that life is a precious gift from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), and it should not be wasted in idle dreams and unfulfilled desires.

The Quran supports this teaching in various verses. In Surah Al-Mu'minun (23:115), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Did you then think that We had created you in vain (without any purpose), and that you would not be returned to Us?

This verse emphasizes the purposeful nature of human existence and reminds us that we will be held accountable for how we spend our time in this world.

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

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 taking action and engaging in righteous deeds, rather than being lost in idle hopes and aspirations.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a wake-up call for Muslims to reflect on their lives and ensure that they are not wasting their precious time. It urges us to channel our hopes and aspirations into productive actions that align with the teachings of Islam.

For example, instead of merely hoping for success in the Hereafter, we should actively strive to perform good deeds, seek knowledge, and engage in acts of worship. Rather than daydreaming about making a positive impact in the world, we should take practical steps to help those in need, promote justice, and contribute to the betterment of society.

By heeding the message of this Hadith, Muslims can avoid the regret of wasted opportunities and make the most of their time in this world. It encourages us to be proactive, purpose-driven individuals who are constantly striving to please Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and seek His pleasure.

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

Lifetimes are wasted between hope and aspiration,

serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to avoid wasting their lives in idle dreams and unfulfilled desires. It calls upon us to take meaningful action, align our hopes and aspirations with the teachings of Islam, and strive for righteousness in all aspects of our lives. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to make the most of our time and fulfill our purpose in this world.