Hadith #3752

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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

خُذْ مِمّا لا يَبْقى لَكَ لِما يَبْقى لَكَ ولا يُفارِقُكَ۔

This impactful Hadith can be translated as,

Take from that which will not last for you for that which will last for you and will not separate from you.

To understand the depth and wisdom behind this Hadith, let us delve into the meanings of the key words. The word (take) "خُذْ" implies an action of acquiring or obtaining something. (from that) "مِمّا" refers to the possessions or worldly belongings that are temporary and transient. (will not last for you) "لا يَبْقى لَكَ" emphasizes the impermanence of these worldly possessions and their eventual departure from us. On the other hand, (for that which will last for you) "لِما يَبْقى لَكَ" refers to the eternal rewards and blessings that await us in the hereafter. Lastly, (and will not separate from you) "ولا يُفارِقُكَ" highlights the everlasting nature of these rewards, which will never be taken away from us.

To further comprehend the wisdom behind this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us in Surah Al-Kahf, verse 46,

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

This verse emphasizes the temporary nature of worldly possessions and the importance of focusing on everlasting good deeds. Similarly, in Surah Al-Hadid, verse 20, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

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.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder to Muslims to prioritize the pursuit of eternal rewards over temporary worldly possessions. It encourages us to detach ourselves from the materialistic aspects of life and instead focus on accumulating good deeds that will benefit us in the hereafter. By doing so, we ensure that we are investing in something that will never diminish or be taken away from us.

This Hadith also highlights the importance of having a long-term perspective in our decision-making. It urges us to make choices that align with our ultimate goal of attaining the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and securing our place in paradise. For example, instead of hoarding wealth and possessions for personal gain, we should prioritize acts of charity and generosity, which have the potential to bring us everlasting rewards.

Moreover, this Hadith serves as a reminder of the transient nature of life itself. It prompts us to reflect on the reality that everything in this world, including our own existence, is temporary and will eventually come to an end. By internalizing this truth, we are motivated to invest our time and energy in actions that have eternal consequences, rather than being consumed by worldly pursuits that hold no lasting value.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) urges Muslims to prioritize the pursuit of eternal rewards over temporary worldly possessions. It encourages us to detach ourselves from the materialistic aspects of life and instead focus on accumulating good deeds that will benefit us in the hereafter. By doing so, we ensure that we are investing in something that will never diminish or be taken away from us. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to implement the teachings of this Hadith in our lives.