This World

Imam Ali (AS) said, This world is a prison for the believer, death is his gift and Paradise is his [permanent] abode.

Imam Ali (AS) said, This world is a Paradise for the disbeliever, death is his dispatcher and hell is his [permanent] dwelling.

Imam Ali (AS) said, This world is [made up of] agonizing hardships, painful deaths and sharp lessons (or drastic changes).

Imam Ali (AS) said, Be careful that death does not descend upon you while you are a fugitive [who has run away] from Allah in your seeking [the pleasures of] this world.

Imam Ali (AS) said, Do you not see the people of this world passing the evenings and mornings in different states? The dead being mourned and the living being condoled, the victim being afflicted and the visitor visiting him [to ask about his condition], and another who is sacrificing himself; and the one who is seeking this world while death seeks him; and the one who is heedless but not neglected; and those who remain behind continue to follow the footsteps of the those who preceded [them].

Imam Ali (AS) said, Verily Allah, the Glorified, has an angel who calls out every day: “O people of the world, procreate for death, construct for destruction and gather up for departure!”

Imam Ali (AS) said, Verily this world is the abode of adversities, one who is hastened in it [and dies earlier] suffers the agony [of death] himself, and one who is granted respite in it suffers the pain [of losing] of his loved ones.

Imam Ali (AS) said, Verily this world brings the appointed terms closer, takes aspirations further away, causes people to perish and changes circumstances. One who tries to overcome it is overpowered by it and one who struggle against it is knocked down by it, whereas it follows the one who renounces it and comes to the one who forsakes it.

Imam Ali (AS) said, Verily this world wears out the bodies, renews hopes, brings death near and takes aspirations far away. Every time its inhabitant becomes contented and pleased with it, it sends him back to adversity.

Imam Ali (AS) said, You are only like the standing [and ready] riders who do not know when they will be ordered to march.

Imam Ali (AS) said, Indeed, the only share of the earth for every one of you is the length and breadth of his own stature, [of the grave] wherein he would lie on his cheeks covered with dust.

Imam Ali (AS) said, Indeed man (in this world) is only a target that is struck by [the arrows of] death and a booty that is rushed towards by tribulations and calamities.

Imam Ali (AS) said, The living of this world are prone to death and its healthy are prone to sicknesses and the target of [the arrow of] death.

Imam Ali (AS) said, The seeker of this world misses [the opportunity to work for] the Hereafter and death comes to him unexpectedly, and he does not get from this world except what has been apportioned for him.

Imam Ali (AS) said, Every moment of this world is [taking it] towards the end and every living thing in it is [moving] towards its death and annihilation.

Imam Ali (AS) said, What is good in a house that falls down like demolished construction and in a lifetime that expires as [its] provisions get exhausted?

Imam Ali (AS) said, What is [the matter] with you that which, if you acquire it [the wealth of this world], its improvement [and seeking something better than it] preoccupies you from enjoying it, and if you enjoy it, it spoils it [the enjoyment] for you with the victory of death over you.

Imam Ali (AS) said, How close this world is to departure, old age is to youth, and doubt is to uncertainty!