Hadith #6465

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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of reflecting upon the passing of time and deriving lessons from it. The key words in this Hadith are (passage of days) "تَصَارِيفِ الأيَّامِ" and (reproach) "مَلَامِ".

The phrase "تَصَارِيفِ الأيَّامِ" refers to the various events, experiences, and changes that occur in our lives as time progresses. It encompasses the ups and downs, joys and sorrows, successes and failures that we encounter. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is urging us to pay attention to these occurrences and to ponder over them deeply.

To understand the significance of reflecting upon the passage of days, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Imran, verse 190:

Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day are signs for those of understanding.

This verse reminds us that the natural cycles of day and night, as well as the creation of the heavens and the earth, contain profound lessons for those who possess understanding.

Similarly, in Surah Al-Jathiyah, verse 13, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states:

And He subjected for you the night and day and the sun and moon, and the stars are subjected by His command. Indeed in that are signs for a people who reason.

Here, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) highlights the subjugation of the celestial bodies and their regular movements as signs for those who engage in thoughtful contemplation.

From these verses, we can understand that the passage of time and the events that occur within it are not random or meaningless. Rather, they are part of a divine plan and contain valuable lessons for us to learn from. By reflecting upon the passage of days, we can gain wisdom, insight, and guidance for our lives.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further emphasizes the importance of taking lessons from the passage of days by stating that those who fail to do so are not deterred by reproach. The word "مَلَامِ" refers to admonishment or reprimand. It implies that by not reflecting upon the events of our lives and learning from them, we are more likely to repeat our mistakes and fail to grow spiritually and intellectually.

In Surah Al-A'raf, verse 176, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) describes the state of those who do not take heed from the signs and lessons of Allah:

And if We had willed, We could have elevated him thereby, but he adhered [instead] to the earth and followed his own desire. So his example is like that of the dog: if you chase him, he pants, or if you leave him, he [still] pants. That is the example of the people who denied Our signs. So relate the stories that perhaps they will give thought.

This verse illustrates the consequences of disregarding the signs and lessons of Allah. Just as a dog constantly pants, driven by its base desires, those who do not reflect upon the passage of days and learn from them are trapped in a cycle of repetition and stagnation. They fail to progress and grow in their understanding and spirituality.

Reflecting upon the passage of days allows us to gain wisdom and insight from our experiences. It helps us recognize patterns, make better decisions, and avoid repeating past mistakes. By taking lessons from the events that unfold in our lives, we can develop a deeper understanding of ourselves, our relationships, and our purpose in this world.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to reflect upon the passage of days and derive lessons from them. By doing so, we can avoid the reproach of repeating our mistakes and instead grow in wisdom and understanding. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to reflect upon the signs and lessons of His creation and guide us on the path of righteousness.