Hadith #3357

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. Peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his righteous companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

مَنْ كَثُرَتْ مَخافَتُهُ قَلَّتْ آفَتُهُ۔

This can be translated as,

One whose fear [of Allah] increases, his affliction is reduced.

This enlightening Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of cultivating a deep sense of fear and awe of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in our hearts.

Let us delve into the key words of this Hadith to gain a deeper understanding. The word (makhafah) "مَخَافَة" refers to fear or awe, specifically the fear of Allah's punishment and the awe of His greatness. It is a state of consciousness that reminds us of our accountability to our Creator. The word (afah) "آفَة" means affliction or calamity. It refers to the difficulties and trials that we may face in life.

To comprehend the meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:286),

Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear.

This verse assures us that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) does not burden us with trials that are beyond our capacity to handle. When we increase our fear of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), we develop a stronger connection with Him, and He eases our afflictions.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Anfal (8:29), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

O you who have believed, if you fear Allah, He will grant you a criterion and will remove from you your misdeeds and forgive you.

This verse emphasizes that when we increase our fear of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), He bestows upon us the ability to distinguish between right and wrong. He also forgives our sins and protects us from the consequences of our misdeeds.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that when we genuinely fear Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), our afflictions are reduced. This is because the fear of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) motivates us to avoid sinful actions and strive for righteousness. It serves as a powerful deterrent against engaging in harmful behaviors that may lead to afflictions and calamities in this world and the hereafter.

For example, if a person fears Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and refrains from engaging in dishonest business practices, they are less likely to face financial ruin or legal consequences. Similarly, if a person fears Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and avoids engaging in harmful relationships, they are less likely to experience heartbreak and emotional turmoil.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that increasing our fear of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) leads to a reduction in our afflictions. When we cultivate a deep sense of awe and consciousness of Allah's presence in our lives, we are guided towards righteousness and protected from the harmful consequences of our actions. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to increase our fear of Him and alleviate our afflictions.