Hadith #1480

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his purified progeny, and his noble companions.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he advises us to hasten in our actions before we are seized by the all-Powerful and Omnipotent. Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this Hadith and explore its implications in light of the Quran.

The word (bādirū) "بادِرُوا" in this Hadith means to hasten or to act swiftly. It carries the sense of urgency and emphasizes the importance of not delaying our actions. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is urging us to seize the opportunity to perform righteous deeds before it is too late.

The phrase (akhḏati al-ʿazīzi al-muqtadir) "أخْذَةِ العَزيزِ المُقْتَدِرِ" refers to the seizing of the all-Powerful, the Omnipotent. This phrase highlights the ultimate power and authority of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and serves as a reminder of His ability to hold us accountable for our actions. It signifies the Day of Judgment when every soul will be seized and held accountable for their deeds.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Munafiqun (63:10):

And spend [in the way of Allah] from what We have provided you before death approaches one of you and he says, 'My Lord, if only You would delay me for a brief term so I would give charity and be among the righteous.'

This verse emphasizes the importance of hastening in acts of charity and righteousness before it is too late. It warns against procrastination and urges us to seize the opportunity to do good while we still have the chance.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Ma'arij (70:19-21), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

Indeed, mankind was created anxious: When evil touches him, impatient, And when good touches him, withholding [of it].

These verses highlight the nature of human beings to be hasty and impatient when faced with adversity, yet reluctant to act when presented with opportunities for good. Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder to overcome this tendency and to hasten in performing righteous deeds.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we can see that it carries profound implications for our lives as Muslims. It reminds us of the fleeting nature of this world and the importance of utilizing our time wisely. We are urged to seize every opportunity to perform acts of worship, seek knowledge, and engage in acts of kindness and charity.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) himself was known for his immense knowledge and wisdom. He was a beacon of guidance for the Muslim community, and his words continue to inspire and enlighten us today. His emphasis on hastening in our actions serves as a motivation for us to strive for excellence and to make the most of our time in this world.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the importance of acting swiftly and not delaying our righteous deeds. It serves as a wake-up call to seize every opportunity to perform acts of worship, seek knowledge, and engage in acts of kindness and charity. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to heed this advice and hasten in our pursuit of righteousness.