Hadith #82

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

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

عَجِبْتُ لِمَنْ يَقْنَطُ وَمَعَهُ الاِسْتِغْفَارُ۔

This Hadith is a impactful saying of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) that highlights the wonderment he feels towards those who lose hope, despite having the opportunity to seek forgiveness from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Let us delve into the key words of this Hadith to gain a deeper understanding. The word (yaqnatu) "يَقْنَطُ" translates to "loses hope" or "despairs." It refers to a state of hopelessness and giving up, where one believes that their sins are too great to be forgiven or that they are beyond redemption. On the other hand, (al-istighfar) "الاِسْتِغْفَارُ" means "seeking forgiveness" from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It is an act of acknowledging one's mistakes, repenting sincerely, and asking Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) for His mercy and forgiveness.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Az-Zumar (39:53), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) assures us,

Say, 'O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.'

This verse emphasizes that no matter how grave our sins may be, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) is the Most Forgiving and Merciful. He invites us to seek His forgiveness and assures us that He will forgive all sins if we sincerely repent.

Another verse that supports the message of this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:222), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves.

This verse highlights the importance of seeking forgiveness and repenting regularly. It shows that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) loves those who turn to Him in repentance and strive to purify themselves from their sins.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) wonderment in this Hadith stems from the fact that despite the clear invitation from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) to seek forgiveness and His promise of mercy, some individuals still lose hope and despair. This attitude reflects a lack of understanding of Allah's infinite mercy and His willingness to forgive. It also disregards the immense power of repentance and the transformative effect it can have on one's life.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us through this Hadith that no matter how great our sins may be, we should never lose hope in Allah's mercy. We should always remember that seeking forgiveness is a means of purifying our souls and drawing closer to our Creator. It is a chance for us to rectify our mistakes, learn from them, and strive to become better Muslims.

Furthermore, this Hadith serves as a motivation for us to actively engage in seeking forgiveness. It encourages us to reflect upon our actions, acknowledge our shortcomings, and take the necessary steps to seek Allah's forgiveness. By doing so, we can experience the peace and tranquility that comes from knowing that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) is the Most Forgiving and that He accepts our repentance.

The consequences of losing hope and not seeking forgiveness are detrimental to our spiritual well-being. It can lead to a sense of despair, guilt, and distance from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). By neglecting the opportunity to seek forgiveness, we deny ourselves the chance to experience the immense blessings and mercy that come from turning to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in repentance.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder to Muslims of the importance of seeking forgiveness from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It highlights the wonderment of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) towards those who lose hope despite the possibility of seeking forgiveness. Through the Quranic verses mentioned, we are reminded of Allah's infinite mercy and His invitation to seek His forgiveness. We should never lose hope in His mercy and should actively engage in seeking forgiveness to purify our souls and draw closer to Him. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to seek His forgiveness and to never despair in His mercy.