Hadith #7643

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of utilizing the limited time we have in this world to perform righteous deeds before the inevitable arrival of death. The key words in this Hadith are (days of hope) "أيَّامِ أمَل", (death) "أجَل", (acts) "عَمِلَ", (coming) "حُضُور", (benefits him) "نَفَعَهُ", and (does him no harm) "ضْرُرْهُ".

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Asr (103:1-3):

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.

This Quranic verse emphasizes the importance of faith, righteous actions, and mutual advice towards truth and patience. It reminds us that time is a valuable asset, and if not utilized wisely, it can lead to loss. Similarly, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith urges us to make the most of the days of hope, which are the days of our lives, by engaging in righteous actions.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Mu'minun (23:99-100), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

Until, when death comes to one of them, he says, 'My Lord, send me back that I might do righteousness in that which I left behind.' No! It is only a word he is saying; and behind them is a barrier until the Day they are resurrected.

This verse highlights the regret that a person may experience at the time of death, wishing for more time to perform righteous deeds. However, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) makes it clear that there is no turning back after death. Therefore, it is crucial to seize the opportunity of the days of hope, before the arrival of death, to engage in acts of goodness and righteousness.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes that the actions performed during the days of hope will benefit the individual, even after death. This means that the rewards and blessings of those righteous actions will continue to benefit the person in the hereafter, while their death will not harm them in any way.

For instance, if a person spends their days of hope in acts of charity, helping the needy, and being kind to others, these actions will continue to benefit them even after they have passed away. Their good deeds will be a source of reward and blessings in the hereafter, and their death will not diminish the positive impact of their actions.

On the other hand, if a person wastes their days of hope in sinful activities, harming others, and neglecting their religious obligations, they will face the consequences of their actions in the hereafter. Their death will not protect them from the negative consequences of their deeds.

This Hadith serves as a reminder for all Muslims to reflect upon the limited time we have in this world and to utilize it wisely. It encourages us to engage in acts of righteousness, seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and the betterment of our own souls. By doing so, we can ensure that our actions continue to benefit us even after death, while our death does us no harm.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) urges Muslims to make the most of the days of hope, which are the days of our lives, by engaging in righteous actions. It emphasizes the importance of utilizing our time wisely and reminds us that our actions during this limited period will have a lasting impact in the hereafter. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to make the most of our days of hope and to strive for righteousness in all aspects of our lives.