Hadith #1485

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds, and blessings be upon Muhammad, his family, his companions, and the righteous ones among his ummah.

The Arabic word (baadir) "بادِرِ" in this hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) means "hasten" or "rush". It carries the connotation of being quick and proactive in performing acts of obedience to Allah. The word (ta'ah) "طَاعَةَ" means "obedience" and refers to following the commands of Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ). The word (tas'ad) "تَسْعَدْ" means

you will be felicitous

or

you will be successful

It implies that by hastening towards obedience, one will attain happiness, success, and felicity in this world and the Hereafter.

This hadith emphasizes the importance of being proactive and swift in performing acts of obedience to Allah. It encourages Muslims to not delay or procrastinate in fulfilling their religious obligations. By being prompt in obeying Allah's commands, one can experience the blessings and rewards associated with such actions.

The Quran supports the message of this hadith in several verses. Allah says in Surah Al-Hajj (22:37):

It is not their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah, but it is your piety that reaches Him.

This verse highlights the significance of sincere obedience to Allah, as it is the essence of true worship. It is not merely the external actions that matter, but the sincerity and devotion with which they are performed.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:148), Allah says:

So hasten to good deeds as much as you can.

This verse emphasizes the importance of hastening towards good deeds and acts of obedience. It encourages Muslims to be proactive in doing righteous actions and not to delay or postpone them.

The exegesis of this hadith teaches us that by being proactive in our obedience to Allah, we can experience numerous benefits. Firstly, it allows us to strengthen our relationship with Allah and increase our spirituality. When we rush towards obedience, we demonstrate our eagerness to please Allah and fulfill His commands. This eagerness reflects our love and devotion towards Him.

Secondly, hastening towards obedience helps us in overcoming laziness and procrastination. It instills a sense of discipline and commitment in our lives. By being prompt in fulfilling our religious obligations, we develop a habit of being proactive and efficient in all aspects of our lives.

Thirdly, rushing towards obedience leads to increased blessings and rewards from Allah. When we prioritize our obedience to Allah, He, in turn, showers us with His mercy, guidance, and protection. Our actions become a means of attaining His pleasure and seeking His forgiveness.

Moreover, hastening towards obedience also has a positive impact on our communities and societies. When individuals are proactive in performing acts of goodness, it inspires others to follow suit. It creates an environment of righteousness and encourages collective efforts towards the betterment of society.

In conclusion, the hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of hastening towards obedience to Allah. It encourages Muslims to be proactive in fulfilling their religious obligations and not to delay or procrastinate in performing acts of goodness. By being swift in our obedience, we can experience the blessings, rewards, and felicity that come with it. May Allah grant us the ability to be proactive in our obedience and may He bless us with success and happiness in this world and the Hereafter.