Hadith #7604

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 utilizing one's life in a manner that leads to salvation in the Hereafter. Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this amazing Hadith.

The key words in this Hadith are (spends) "أفْنى", (his life) "عُمْرَهُ", (other than) "غَيْرِ", (that which) "ما", (will save him) "يُنْجِيهِ", and (missed) "أضاعَ".

The word "أفْنى" implies the expenditure or consumption of something. In this context, it refers to the utilization of one's life. It highlights the idea that our life is a valuable resource that should be spent wisely and purposefully.

"عُمْرَهُ" refers to one's lifespan. It encompasses the entirety of an individual's existence, from birth to death. It represents the limited time we have been granted in this world to fulfill our purpose and seek salvation.

The term "غَيْرِ" means "other than" or "besides." It signifies that there are certain actions or pursuits that are not aligned with the objective of attaining salvation in the Hereafter.

"ما" is a pronoun that refers to something specific. In this Hadith, it alludes to the righteous deeds and actions that lead to salvation.

The phrase "يُنْجِيهِ" means "will save him." It emphasizes the ultimate goal of securing deliverance and salvation in the Hereafter. It implies that the actions we engage in during our lifetime should be directed towards attaining eternal success and avoiding the pitfalls that lead to destruction.

Lastly, the word "أضاعَ" conveys the idea of missing or losing something. It highlights the consequences of spending one's life in pursuits that do not contribute to the ultimate objective of salvation. It signifies the loss of an opportunity to fulfill one's purpose and attain eternal bliss.

To further understand the significance of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Ankabut (29:64):

This worldly life is not but diversion and amusement. And indeed, the home of the Hereafter - that is the [eternal] life, if only they knew.

This verse reminds us that the pleasures and distractions of this world are temporary and fleeting. They should not consume our entire existence, as they do not hold any lasting value. Instead, our focus should be on the eternal life of the Hereafter, where true success lies.

In Surah Al-Asr (103:1-3), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states:

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.

These verses emphasize the importance of faith, righteous actions, and mutual encouragement towards truth and patience. They serve as a reminder that the purpose of our existence is to believe in Allah, perform good deeds, and guide others towards righteousness.

Reflecting on the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in light of these Quranic verses, we understand that our life should be dedicated to actions that align with the teachings of Islam and lead to salvation. Engaging in acts of worship, seeking knowledge, practicing kindness and compassion, and striving for justice are all examples of actions that contribute to our ultimate objective.

Conversely, spending our life in pursuits that are devoid of spiritual benefit, such as excessive materialism, heedlessness, and indulgence in sinful activities, will result in missing the true purpose of our existence and the opportunity for eternal success.

Therefore, as Muslims, we should strive to make the most of our lives by prioritizing actions that will save us in the Hereafter. We should constantly evaluate our choices and ensure that they are in line with the teachings of the Quran and the guidance of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his purified progeny.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to utilize our lives in a manner that leads to salvation, and may He guide us to the path of righteousness.