Hadith #3738

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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the fleeting nature of the worldly possessions and the inherent challenges that come with them. Let us delve deeper into the meanings of the important words in this Hadith and explore their significance in light of the Quran.

Firstly, the word (jood) "جُودُ" refers to the bounty or generosity of this world. It signifies the material possessions, wealth, and resources that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) has bestowed upon us. However, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that this worldly bounty is transient and temporary. It is not meant to be the ultimate goal or purpose of our existence.

The word (fana) "فَناءٌ" means transience or perishability. It emphasizes the fact that the worldly possessions and pleasures are temporary and will eventually come to an end. This concept is beautifully echoed in the Quran where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hadid (57:20),

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.

Furthermore, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) mentions that the comfort of this world is marred by trouble or hardship. This highlights the inherent challenges and difficulties that accompany worldly possessions. The Quran supports this notion in Surah Al-Balad (90:4-6), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

We have certainly created man into hardship. Does he think that never will anyone overcome him? He says, 'I have spent wealth in abundance.'

Moreover, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states that the soundness or stability of this world is actually a path to destruction. This highlights the deceptive nature of worldly security and stability. The Quran reminds us in Surah Al-Munafiqun (63:9),

O you who have believed, let not your wealth and your children divert you from remembrance of Allah. And whoever does that - then those are the losers.

Lastly, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) mentions that the gifts of this world are taken away. This emphasizes the temporary nature of the blessings and favors that we receive in this world. The Quran echoes this sentiment in Surah Al-Imran (3:14), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

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.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to not become attached to the transient and deceptive nature of worldly possessions. It urges us to focus on the eternal and everlasting rewards of the Hereafter. By recognizing the temporary nature of this world and its challenges, we can strive to prioritize our spiritual growth and seek the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) above all else. May Allah guide us to the straight path and grant us the wisdom to understand the true nature of this world.