Hadith #10043

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.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he addresses the common practice of people focusing on the material possessions left behind by a deceased individual. When someone passes away, it is common for people to inquire about the wealth and possessions that the deceased has left behind. However, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that the true measure of a person's success lies not in what they have accumulated in this world, but rather in what they have sent forward for the Hereafter.

The Imam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the different perspectives of people and angels regarding a person's wealth. While people are concerned with what has been left behind, the angels are more interested in what has been sent forward. The angels, being the noble and obedient servants of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), are aware of the true value of deeds and actions that are performed with sincerity and for the sake of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

To emphasize the importance of sending wealth forward, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that our forefathers, referring to our ancestors and predecessors, belong to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). This means that they have departed from this world and their possessions no longer hold any value for them. Therefore, it is incumbent upon us to prioritize sending some of our wealth forward, as a provision for ourselves in the Hereafter.

The Imam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises against leaving all of our wealth behind, as it would burden us in the Hereafter. This burden refers to the accountability that every individual will face for their actions and deeds in the Hereafter. If we neglect to send forward any provisions for ourselves, we will be left empty-handed and burdened with the consequences of our negligence.

This Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to prioritize their actions and intentions in this world. It encourages us to focus on accumulating good deeds and sending them forward as provisions for the Hereafter. It reminds us that material possessions are temporary and will not benefit us in the eternal life to come.

The Quran provides numerous verses that support the teachings of this Hadith. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hadid (57:7),

Believe in Allah and His Messenger and spend out of that in which He has made you successors. For those who have believed among you and spent, there will be a great reward.

This verse emphasizes the importance of belief in Allah and His Messenger, as well as the act of spending in the cause of Allah. It highlights the significance of sending wealth forward for the sake of Allah, which will be rewarded generously.

Additionally, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:254), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

O you who have believed, spend from that which We have provided for you before there comes a Day in which there is no exchange and no friendship and no intercession. And the disbelievers - they are the wrongdoers.

This verse emphasizes the urgency of spending from the provisions that Allah has blessed us with, before the Day of Judgment arrives. It warns against the consequences of neglecting to send wealth forward, as there will be no opportunity for exchange or intercession on that Day.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to prioritize their actions and intentions in this world. It urges us to focus on accumulating good deeds and sending them forward as provisions for the Hereafter. It highlights the importance of not being overly attached to material possessions, as they hold no value in the eternal life to come. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and guidance to understand the true purpose of our wealth and enable us to send it forward for our own benefit in the Hereafter.