Hadith #4482

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 progeny, and his noble companions.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he imparts a crucial lesson to all Muslims. The Hadith states,

Indeed if you desire [closeness to] Allah, you will become prosperous and will be saved, whereas if you desire the [attainment of this] world, you will be at a loss and will be destroyed.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this Hadith by examining the key words and concepts it presents. The word (raghibtum) "رَغِبْتُمْ" is derived from the root word (raghba) "رَغَبَ", which means desire or inclination. It signifies the innermost yearning or longing of an individual. In this context, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of directing our desires towards the right path.

The Hadith emphasizes that if our desire is directed towards Allah, seeking His pleasure and closeness, we will attain prosperity and salvation. This means that when we prioritize our spiritual connection with Allah and strive to please Him in all aspects of our lives, we will be blessed with success and protection from harm. This success encompasses both worldly and spiritual aspects, as Allah's blessings encompass all aspects of our existence.

To support this exegesis, we find numerous verses in the Quran that emphasize the importance of seeking Allah's pleasure and closeness. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:201),

And of the people is he whose speech pleases you in worldly life, and he calls Allah to witness as to what is in his heart, yet he is the fiercest of opponents.

This verse highlights the contrast between those who seek worldly recognition and those who prioritize their relationship with Allah. The former may appear successful in this world, but their true state is one of opposition to the truth.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-A'raf (7:56), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

And cause not corruption upon the earth after its reformation. And invoke Him in fear and aspiration. Indeed, the mercy of Allah is near to the doers of good.

This verse emphasizes the importance of invoking Allah with both fear and aspiration, indicating that a sincere desire for closeness to Allah leads to His mercy and blessings.

On the other hand, if our desires are solely focused on worldly gains and material possessions, we will ultimately be at a loss and face destruction. This does not mean that seeking a comfortable life or fulfilling our worldly responsibilities is inherently wrong. Rather, it warns against making worldly desires our primary goal and neglecting our spiritual well-being.

Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us in Surah Al-Isra (17:18),

Whoever desires the immediate - We hasten for him from it what We will to whom We intend. Then We have made for him Hell, which he will [enter to] burn, censured and banished.

This verse highlights the consequences of prioritizing immediate worldly gains over the eternal rewards of the Hereafter. Such individuals will face the punishment of Hell, a place of torment and regret.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) impactful Hadith serves as a reminder for all Muslims to align their desires with the pleasure of Allah. By seeking closeness to Allah and prioritizing our spiritual growth, we will find true prosperity and salvation. Conversely, if we become consumed by worldly desires, we will face loss and destruction in both this life and the Hereafter.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we should strive to evaluate our intentions and desires. Are we seeking Allah's pleasure and closeness in all that we do? Are we prioritizing our spiritual growth and striving to please Him? By constantly reminding ourselves of the true purpose of our existence and aligning our desires with the pleasure of Allah, we can attain true success and protection in this world and the Hereafter.

May Allah (تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to prioritize our relationship with Him and seek His pleasure in all aspects of our lives. Ameen.