اِتَّقُوا اللّهَ جِهَةَ ما خَلَقَكُمْ لَهُ۔
Be wary of your duty towards Allah with regards to that which He has created you for.
— Imam Ali a.s.
(Ghurar al-Hikam: God-Wariness)
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 pure progeny, and his righteous companions.
The hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us to be conscious of our duty towards Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in relation to the purpose for which He has created us. Let us delve into the deeper meanings of the important words in this hadith and explore its profound implications in light of the Quran.
The word (Ittaqullah) "اِتَّقُوا" is derived from the root word (waqa) "وَقَى", which means to protect or guard against something. It is often translated as "fear Allah" or
be conscious of Allah.
In this context, it implies a sense of awareness and mindfulness of our actions and intentions, ensuring that they align with the divine purpose for our existence.
The word (jiha) "جِهَةَ" refers to the direction or aspect of something. In this hadith, it signifies the specific aspect or dimension of our lives that we need to be wary of in relation to Allah's creation. It emphasizes the importance of understanding and fulfilling our purpose in life, as ordained by our Creator.
The phrase (ma khalaqakum lahu) "ما خَلَقَكُمْ لَهُ" translates to
that which He has created you for.
It highlights the fact that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) has created each and every one of us for a specific purpose. It is our duty to discover and fulfill that purpose, aligning our actions and intentions with it.
To understand the deeper meaning of this hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Adh-Dhariyat (51:56):
And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.
This verse affirms that the purpose of our creation is to worship Allah, to submit to His will, and to live our lives in accordance with His guidance.
Furthermore, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:21), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:
O mankind, worship your Lord, who created you and those before you, that you may become righteous.
This verse emphasizes the importance of worshiping Allah and striving for righteousness, which is the ultimate goal of our existence.
Reflecting on the hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in light of these Quranic verses, we understand that being wary of our duty towards Allah means recognizing and fulfilling the purpose for which He has created us. It entails striving to worship Him sincerely and seeking righteousness in all aspects of our lives.
When we are conscious of our duty towards Allah, we become more mindful of our actions and intentions. We strive to align them with the divine purpose, seeking His pleasure and avoiding anything that may lead us astray. This consciousness leads to a life of purpose, meaning, and fulfillment.
By fulfilling our purpose, we not only benefit ourselves but also contribute positively to society. Our actions become a means of spreading goodness and righteousness, inspiring others to follow the path of truth. This creates a ripple effect, leading to a more harmonious and righteous society as a whole.
In conclusion, the hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to be conscious of their duty towards Allah in relation to the purpose for which He has created them. It urges us to reflect on our actions and intentions, ensuring that they align with the divine purpose of worshiping Allah and seeking righteousness. By fulfilling our purpose, we not only find fulfillment in this life but also contribute to the betterment of society as a whole. May Allah guide us all to fulfill our purpose and grant us success in this life and the hereafter.
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