Hadith #7511

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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the profound regret that scholars will experience at the time of their death if they fail to act upon the knowledge they possess. Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this Hadith and explore its implications in light of the Quran.

The word (nadaman) "نَدَمًا" in the Hadith refers to intense regret and sorrow. It signifies the deep remorse that individuals will feel when they realize the opportunities they missed and the actions they neglected in their lives. This regret is specifically attributed to (al-'ulama) "العُلَمَاء", meaning the scholars or those who possess knowledge.

The Hadith emphasizes that it is not merely possessing knowledge that brings benefit, but rather, it is the application of that knowledge in one's actions that truly matters. This is evident in the phrase (ghayr al-'amileen) "غَيْرُ العَامِلِينَ", which refers to those scholars who do not act upon their knowledge. These individuals may have acquired knowledge, but they fail to implement it in their lives, leading to a sense of profound regret at the time of their death.

The Quran provides numerous verses that support the importance of acting upon knowledge. For instance, in Surah Al-Asr (103:1-3), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

By time, indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.

This verse highlights that belief alone is not sufficient; it must be accompanied by righteous actions.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:44), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

Do you order righteousness of the people and forget yourselves while you recite the Scripture? Then will you not reason?

This verse admonishes those who advocate for righteousness but fail to apply it in their own lives. It serves as a reminder that knowledge without action is futile and will lead to regret.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for all Muslims, regardless of their scholarly status. It highlights the importance of not only acquiring knowledge but also implementing it in our daily lives. Knowledge should not be confined to theoretical understanding; it should be a catalyst for positive change and righteous actions.

When scholars possess knowledge but do not act upon it, they not only miss out on the opportunity to benefit themselves but also fail to fulfill their responsibility towards society. Their knowledge becomes a burden rather than a blessing. This regret at the time of death is a consequence of their failure to utilize their knowledge for the betterment of themselves and others.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we should strive to be scholars who actively apply the knowledge we acquire. We must use our knowledge to promote justice, kindness, and compassion in our interactions with others. By doing so, we can avoid the regret that Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns about and ensure that our knowledge becomes a source of reward and blessings in this life and the hereafter.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to act upon the knowledge we possess and protect us from the regret of not utilizing it. Ameen.