In Sermon 223, Imam Ali (peace be upon him) sheds light on the transitory nature of the world and the pitiable state of the inhabitants of graves. This sermon was delivered at a time when the Imam sought to direct people's attention toward the ephemeral nature of worldly life and the reality of the hereafter. In this sermon, the world is described as a house surrounded by calamities and characterized by deceptions, where conditions are never stable and true happiness or security is absent.

The Imam mentions the condition of the inhabitants of graves, who, despite having lived longer lives and having more prosperous homes, are now silent, their names and signs erased. Their places are desolate, and they are trapped in their graves. This serves as a profound reminder that one must take every moment of life seriously, for death can come unexpectedly.

A significant point made by the Imam is that one should be concerned about the hereafter. Just as the deceased no longer experience joy in their worldly lives, so too should the living understand the reality of their existence. This sermon reminds us that the pleasures of this world are temporary, and true peace lies in the hereafter.

Among the key lessons of this sermon is the necessity for individuals to guard against the deceptions of the world and to prepare for their afterlife. We must realize that we too will one day find ourselves in the same state as those in the graves. The message of this sermon is that we will have to account for our deeds and return to our true Lord.