Hadith #3737

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure and noble Ahl al-Bayt, and his righteous companions.

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

جارُ الدُّنيْا مَحْرُوبٌ، ومَوْفُورُها مَنْكُوبٌ۔

This Hadith can be translated into English as:

The one who seeks refuge in this world is ruined and the one who takes his fill from it is destroyed.

Let us delve into the meaning of some important words in this Hadith. The word (jaar) "جارُ" means

one who seeks refuge

or

one who depends on.

The word (dunya) "دُنيْا" refers to the worldly life, the temporary and fleeting nature of this world. The word (mahroob) "مَحْرُوبٌ" means "ruined" or "deprived of blessings." The word (mafoor) "مَوْفُورُ" means

one who takes his fill

or

one who indulges excessively.

And finally, the word (mankoub) "مَنْكُوبٌ" means "destroyed" or "afflicted with calamities."

To understand the profound wisdom behind this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us in Surah Al-Anfal, verse 28:

And know that your properties and your children are but a trial and that Allah has with Him a great reward.

This verse highlights the transient nature of worldly possessions and the fact that they are merely a test from Allah. Seeking refuge in the material possessions of this world can lead to ruin because they are temporary and will eventually fade away.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hadid, verse 20, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us:

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 emphasizes the fleeting nature of worldly pleasures and the illusion they create. Indulging excessively in the material aspects of this world can lead to destruction because it distracts us from our true purpose and ultimate destination.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his profound knowledge and wisdom, is reminding us through this Hadith that seeking refuge or depending solely on the material possessions of this world will ultimately lead to ruin. It is a call to prioritize the eternal and everlasting rewards of the Hereafter over the temporary and transient pleasures of this world.

When we become too attached to worldly possessions, we become enslaved by them. Our hearts become consumed with the pursuit of wealth, status, and material comforts. This attachment blinds us to the true purpose of our existence, which is to worship Allah and seek His pleasure. We become distant from our spiritual selves and neglect our duties towards Allah and our fellow human beings.

On the other hand, those who indulge excessively in the pleasures of this world are also doomed to destruction. When we become consumed by our desires and seek constant gratification, we lose sight of the true purpose of our lives. We become slaves to our desires, constantly chasing after temporary pleasures that can never truly satisfy us. This excessive indulgence leads to a spiritual emptiness and a sense of dissatisfaction, as we are never able to find true contentment in worldly pursuits.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is urging us to strike a balance between the material and spiritual aspects of our lives. We should not seek refuge or depend solely on the material possessions of this world, but rather use them as a means to fulfill our responsibilities and obligations towards Allah and our fellow human beings. We should not indulge excessively in worldly pleasures, but rather prioritize our spiritual growth and the pursuit of the eternal rewards of the Hereafter.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to be mindful of the transient nature of this world and to prioritize the eternal rewards of the Hereafter. Seeking refuge in the material possessions of this world or indulging excessively in its pleasures will ultimately lead to ruin and destruction. May Allah guide us to strike a balance in our lives and grant us the wisdom to prioritize the everlasting over the temporary.