Hadith #9965

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 Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

Fill yourselves with desire for the bounties of Paradise, [and] you will love death and loathe [this worldly] life.

This amazing Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) urges us to cultivate a strong yearning for the rewards and blessings of Paradise. By doing so, we will develop a love for death, as it becomes a means to attain the eternal bliss of the Hereafter, while simultaneously feeling a disdain for the transient nature of worldly life.

Let us delve deeper into the words of this Hadith to understand its significance in light of the Quran. The word (shawwiqoo) "شَوِّقُوا" means to fill or imbue oneself with a strong desire or longing. It implies actively seeking and yearning for something. In this context, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is encouraging us to actively cultivate a deep desire for the bounties and joys of Paradise.

The phrase (na'im al-jannah) "نَعيمِ الجَنَّةِ" refers to the blessings and delights of Paradise. The Quran mentions numerous descriptions of Paradise, highlighting its beauty, tranquility, and the fulfillment of desires. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Insan (76:12),

Indeed, this is for you a reward, and your effort has been appreciated.

This verse emphasizes that the bounties of Paradise are a reward for the believers' efforts and struggles in this worldly life.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) then states, (tuhibbuna al-mawt) "تُحِبُّوا المَوْتَ", which translates to

you will love death.

This does not imply a desire for self-destruction or a disregard for the sanctity of life. Rather, it signifies a love for the transition from this temporary life to the eternal life of the Hereafter. This love for death stems from the understanding that death is a gateway to the everlasting bliss and proximity to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

The phrase (tamqutoo al-hayat) "تَمْقُتُوا الحَياةَ" means

you will loathe [this worldly] life.

It does not imply a complete rejection of worldly responsibilities or a withdrawal from society. Instead, it signifies a detachment from the materialistic aspects of life and a recognition of its transient nature. This detachment allows one to prioritize the pursuit of the Hereafter and the attainment of eternal happiness.

The Quran provides us with several verses that support the exegesis of this Hadith. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:96),

And you will surely find them the most greedy of people for life - [even] more than those who associate others with Allah.

This verse highlights the tendency of some individuals to excessively prioritize worldly life and its pleasures, neglecting the importance of the Hereafter.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Tawbah (9:38), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

O you who have believed, what is [the matter] with you that, when you are told to go forth in the cause of Allah, you adhere heavily to the earth? Are you satisfied with the life of this world rather than the Hereafter? But what is the enjoyment of worldly life compared to the Hereafter except a [very] little?

This verse admonishes those who prioritize worldly life over striving in the cause of Allah and reminds us of the insignificance of worldly pleasures in comparison to the eternal rewards of the Hereafter.

Reflecting on the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), we are reminded of the importance of redirecting our desires and aspirations towards the eternal rewards of Paradise. By developing a strong yearning for the bounties of Paradise, we can shift our focus from the temporary nature of worldly life to the everlasting bliss of the Hereafter. This shift in perspective allows us to prioritize our actions and decisions based on their impact on our eternal life, rather than being solely driven by worldly desires.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) urges us to fill ourselves with desire for the bounties of Paradise, leading to a love for death as a means to attain eternal bliss, while simultaneously developing a disdain for the transient nature of worldly life. This Hadith aligns with the teachings of the Quran, which emphasize the importance of prioritizing the Hereafter over worldly pleasures. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to cultivate a strong desire for Paradise and guide us to live a life that reflects this longing.