Hadith #3597

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 beautifully describes the transient nature of this worldly life and the importance of prioritizing the eternal Hereafter over the temporary pleasures of this world. Let us delve into the exegesis of this hadith and explore its deeper meanings in the light of the Quran.

The first part of the hadith states,

Verily that which was advancing towards this world has turned back from it, and that which had turned back has advanced towards it.

Here, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is highlighting the fleeting nature of worldly pursuits. The things that people eagerly sought after in this world, such as wealth, power, and material possessions, eventually lose their allure and fade away. On the other hand, the things that people neglected or considered insignificant, such as good deeds, piety, and the pursuit of the Hereafter, will ultimately become the focus of their attention and efforts.

This concept is beautifully echoed in the Quran in Surah Al-Hadid, verse 20, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

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. And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and approval. And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion.

The second part of the hadith states,

And the righteous servants of Allah have decided to depart and have sold the little of this world that does not last for the abundance of the Hereafter that does not perish.

Here, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the wise decision of the righteous servants of Allah to detach themselves from the allure of this world and prioritize the everlasting rewards of the Hereafter. They willingly forsake the temporary pleasures and possessions of this world, recognizing their transient nature and the eternal nature of the Hereafter.

This profound concept is beautifully illustrated in the Quran in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 86, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Those are the ones who have bought the life of this world [in exchange] for the Hereafter, so the punishment will not be lightened for them, nor will they be aided.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the importance of prioritizing our actions and intentions towards the eternal life in the Hereafter, rather than being consumed by the temporary pleasures and distractions of this world. By selling the little of this world that does not last, the righteous servants of Allah invest in the abundance of the Hereafter that does not perish. They understand that the true value lies in the eternal rewards and blessings that await them in the Hereafter.

This profound concept is echoed in the Quran in Surah Al-Kahf, verse 46, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

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

In conclusion, this hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to prioritize the pursuit of the Hereafter over the fleeting pleasures of this world. It teaches us to detach ourselves from the materialistic pursuits and focus on investing in the eternal rewards and blessings that await us in the Hereafter. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to follow the footsteps of the righteous servants and make the Hereafter our ultimate goal.