Hadith #8367

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 purified progeny, and his noble companions.

In this profound hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he imparts a timeless wisdom about the nature of time and the importance of seizing the present moment. Let us delve into the words of this hadith and explore its deeper meanings in light of the Quran.

The first part of the hadith states,

What has passed of your day is lost, what is to come is uncertain.

Here, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that once a moment has passed, it can never be regained. Time is a precious and irreplaceable resource that we must value and utilize wisely. This echoes the Quranic verse in Surah Al-Asr (103:1-3), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

By time, indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.

The second part of the hadith states,

Your time is a blessing, so make haste in it while you have the opportunity.

Here, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the value of time as a divine blessing. Each moment we are granted is an opportunity for growth, worship, and making a positive impact in this world. The Quranic verse in Surah Al-Mu'minun (23:115) beautifully captures this sentiment,

Did you think that We had created you in play (without any purpose), and that you would not be brought back to Us?

This verse reminds us that our time in this world is not meaningless, but rather a test and an opportunity for spiritual growth.

The final part of the hadith states,

Beware of relying on the future.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) cautions us against becoming complacent and relying on the uncertainty of the future. We must not postpone our good deeds, seeking knowledge, or fulfilling our responsibilities, assuming that we will have ample time in the future. The Quranic verse in Surah Al-Munafiqun (63:9) warns against procrastination and the false hope of the future,

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.

Reflecting on this hadith, we realize that it is a call to action, urging us to be proactive and seize the present moment. It teaches us to value time as a gift from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and to make the most of every opportunity for self-improvement, worship, and serving others. It reminds us that our time in this world is limited and uncertain, and we must not take it for granted.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) himself exemplified this wisdom through his profound knowledge, his devotion to Allah, and his tireless efforts in serving the Muslim community. He understood the fleeting nature of time and the importance of utilizing it for the betterment of oneself and society.

In conclusion, this hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for all Muslims to value and make the most of their time. It urges us to be proactive, seize the present moment, and not rely on the uncertainty of the future. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to implement this guidance in our lives and make the most of the time He has blessed us with.