Hadith #2174

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be 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.

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

الحازِمُ من لا يَشْغَلُهُ النِّعْمَةُ عَنِ العَمَلِ لِلْعاقِبَةِ

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of not allowing the blessings bestowed upon us by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) to distract us from working towards our ultimate goal, which is the afterlife.

Let us delve into the meaning of some key words in this Hadith. The word "الحازِمُ" refers to the judicious or wise person who possesses the ability to make sound decisions and exercise self-control. This person is not easily swayed by worldly distractions and remains focused on their ultimate purpose. The term "النِّعْمَةُ" refers to the blessings and favors that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) bestows upon His creation. These blessings can be of various forms, such as wealth, health, knowledge, or any other favor granted by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

To understand the impactful message of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Taghabun (64:15),

Your wealth and your children are but a trial, and Allah has with Him a great reward.

This verse reminds us that the material possessions and worldly attachments we have are merely a test from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). They should not distract us from striving for the eternal rewards of the hereafter.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Munafiqun (63:9), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns,

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.

This verse serves as a reminder that our focus should always be on the remembrance of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and the pursuit of righteous deeds. We should not allow our worldly possessions or relationships to divert us from our spiritual obligations.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), being the epitome of knowledge and wisdom, highlights the importance of maintaining a balance between the blessings of this world and the pursuit of the afterlife. He teaches us that a judicious person is one who does not become so engrossed in their blessings that they neglect their duties towards Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and the hereafter.

For instance, if someone is blessed with wealth, they should not allow their wealth to become a source of arrogance, greed, or negligence towards the less fortunate. Instead, they should utilize their wealth in ways that please Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), such as giving in charity, supporting noble causes, and fulfilling their obligations towards their family and community.

Similarly, if someone is blessed with knowledge, they should not let their knowledge lead to arrogance or intellectual pride. Rather, they should use their knowledge to guide themselves and others towards the path of righteousness, seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and the betterment of society.

The consequences of neglecting the pursuit of the afterlife due to preoccupation with worldly blessings are severe. As mentioned in the aforementioned Quranic verses, those who allow their wealth, children, or any other worldly attachment to divert them from the remembrance of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) are the true losers. They may enjoy temporary pleasures and success in this world, but they will ultimately face regret and loss in the hereafter.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for all Muslims. It urges us to be judicious and wise in our approach towards the blessings bestowed upon us by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). We should not allow these blessings to distract us from our ultimate purpose, which is to strive for the eternal rewards of the afterlife. By maintaining a balance between the blessings of this world and our spiritual obligations, we can lead a fulfilling and purposeful life, pleasing to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and beneficial to ourselves and others. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to embody the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and strive for success in this world and the hereafter.