Hadith #1764

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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states:

لَنْ يَفُوزَ بِالجَنَّةِ إلاّ السّاعي لَها۔

This can be translated as:

None will be victorious in attaining Paradise except the one who works hard for it.

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of striving and exerting effort in order to attain Paradise.

Let us delve deeper into the meaning of this Hadith by examining the key words. The word (fawza) "فُوزَ" means victory or success. It implies achieving a desired outcome or attaining a goal. In this context, it refers to attaining Paradise, the ultimate success for a believer. The word (as-sa'i) "السّاعي" means the one who strives or works hard. It signifies someone who exerts effort, takes action, and puts in the necessary work to achieve their objective.

This Hadith aligns perfectly with the teachings of the Quran. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of striving and working hard in various verses. For example, in Surah Al-Asr (103:3), Allah says,

Except for those who believe and do righteous deeds and encourage one another to truth and encourage one another to patience.

This verse highlights the necessity of not only believing but also engaging in righteous actions and encouraging others to do the same. It emphasizes the importance of actively striving towards goodness.

Similarly, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:286), Allah says,

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

This verse reminds us that Allah does not expect us to achieve the impossible, but He does expect us to put in our best effort within our capabilities. It encourages us to strive and work hard, knowing that Allah will not burden us beyond our capacity.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder that attaining Paradise requires more than just faith and belief. It requires active participation and effort. It is not enough to simply hope for Paradise without taking any action. We must strive, work hard, and actively pursue righteousness in order to be successful in the hereafter.

This Hadith also highlights the concept of personal responsibility. Each individual is accountable for their own actions and efforts. We cannot rely on the deeds of others to secure our place in Paradise. It is our own striving and hard work that will determine our success. This encourages self-reflection and introspection, motivating us to constantly improve ourselves and our actions.

Moreover, this Hadith emphasizes the importance of intention and sincerity in our actions. Merely going through the motions without true dedication and sincerity will not lead to success. We must strive with a pure heart, seeking the pleasure of Allah alone. This aligns with the Quranic verse in Surah Al-Mumtahanah (60:4), where Allah says,

There has already been for you an excellent pattern in Abraham and those with him, when they said to their people, 'Indeed, we are disassociated from you and from whatever you worship other than Allah. We have denied you, and there has appeared between us and you animosity and hatred forever until you believe in Allah alone.'

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that success in attaining Paradise requires active striving and hard work. It aligns perfectly with the teachings of the Quran, which emphasize the importance of righteous actions, personal responsibility, intention, and sincerity. May Allah grant us the strength and guidance to strive for Paradise and may He make us among those who are victorious in attaining it.