Hadith #3622

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds, and blessings be upon Muhammad (ﷺ) and his pure progeny, the Ahl al-Bayt, as well as his noble companions.

In this profound hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he beautifully describes the insignificance of this worldly life in his eyes. Let us delve into the words of this hadith and explore its deeper meanings.

The first word that requires our attention is (dunyakum) "دُنياكُمْ", which refers to the worldly life, the transient and temporary existence that we all experience. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes that this dunya, with all its attractions and allurements, holds no significant value to him.

He then uses vivid imagery to illustrate his point. He compares this world to the (iraq khinzir) "عِراقِ خِنْزير", which translates to the decayed bone of a pig. The bone of a pig is considered impure and repulsive in Islamic teachings, and its decay further emphasizes its worthlessness. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) likens this world to such a bone, highlighting its insignificance and impurity.

Furthermore, he compares this world to a leaf in the mouth of a locust, symbolizing its fragility and ephemerality. A locust consumes leaves voraciously, and a single leaf holds no value to it. Similarly, this world and its pleasures are fleeting and transient, holding no lasting significance.

To understand the deeper meaning of this hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly reminds us of the temporary nature of this world and the importance of focusing on the hereafter. In Surah Al-Kahf, Allah says, (Quran 18:46)

Wealth and children are the adornment of the worldly life. But the enduring good deeds are better to your Lord for reward and better for [one's] hope.

This ayah emphasizes that the true value lies in the everlasting good deeds that we accumulate, rather than the temporary adornments of this world. It echoes the sentiment expressed by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in the hadith, where he questions the relevance of worldly bounties and pleasures that are bound to perish.

Another ayah that resonates with the message of this hadith is found in Surah Al-Qasas, where Allah says, (Quran 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.

This ayah beautifully captures the fleeting nature of this world and its attractions. It reminds us that the pleasures and possessions we strive for are temporary and will eventually fade away. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) echoes this sentiment in his hadith, emphasizing the insignificance of worldly bounties that will ultimately perish.

Reflecting on this hadith, we are reminded of the importance of prioritizing the eternal over the temporary. It serves as a profound reminder to Muslims that our focus should be on accumulating good deeds and seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), rather than getting entangled in the allurements of this world.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his deep knowledge and wisdom, provides us with a powerful perspective on the transitory nature of this world. His words serve as a wake-up call, urging us to shift our focus towards the everlasting rewards of the hereafter. May we all strive to follow in the footsteps of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and prioritize the eternal over the temporary.