Hadith #8156

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

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

كَفى بِالمَرْءِ غَفْلَةً أنْ يَصْرِفَ هِمَّتَهُ فيما لايَعْنيهِ۔

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of not wasting one's efforts and energy on matters that are of no benefit or significance. Let us delve deeper into the meanings of the key words in this Hadith.

The word (ghaflah) "غَفْلَةً" refers to negligence or heedlessness. It is a state of being unaware or inattentive to important matters. The word (yasrif) "يَصْرِفَ" means to divert or turn away. It implies the act of directing one's efforts and attention towards something. The word (himmatuhu) "هِمَّتَهُ" refers to one's aspirations, determination, or resolve. And finally, the phrase (fima la ya'neehi) "فيما لايَعْنيهِ" means in that which does not concern or benefit him.

To understand the profound wisdom behind this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of utilizing our time and efforts wisely. In Surah Al-Asr, Allah says, (Quran 103:1-3)

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 ayah reminds us of the value of time and the need to focus our efforts on righteous actions that benefit us in this life and the hereafter.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qasas, Allah recounts the story of Prophet Musa (Moses) when he accidentally killed an Egyptian man. After realizing his mistake, Musa sought forgiveness from Allah and made a sincere supplication, saying,

My Lord, indeed I have wronged myself, so forgive me.

Allah accepted his repentance and guided him towards a righteous path (Quran 28:16). This story highlights the importance of recognizing our mistakes and redirecting our efforts towards seeking forgiveness and rectifying our actions.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to be mindful of how they utilize their time, energy, and aspirations. It cautions against wasting these valuable resources on matters that do not bring any benefit or significance. This includes engaging in idle gossip, excessive entertainment, and pursuing worldly desires without considering their impact on our spiritual growth and well-being.

By focusing our efforts on matters that are meaningful and beneficial, we can strive to fulfill our purpose in life and attain success in both this world and the hereafter. This Hadith encourages us to prioritize acts of worship, seeking knowledge, helping others, and engaging in righteous deeds that bring us closer to Allah. It reminds us to be conscious of our intentions and ensure that our actions align with the teachings of Islam.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we can see its relevance in our daily lives. For example, instead of spending excessive time on social media or engaging in fruitless arguments, we can redirect our efforts towards acts of charity, spending quality time with our families, and seeking knowledge that will benefit us and others. By doing so, we can cultivate a sense of purpose and fulfillment, while also earning the pleasure of Allah.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to be mindful of how they utilize their time, energy, and aspirations. It urges us to avoid wasting our efforts on matters that do not bring any benefit or significance. By focusing on righteous actions and prioritizing what truly matters, we can strive to fulfill our purpose in life and attain success in both this world and the hereafter. May Allah grant us the wisdom and guidance to make the best use of our resources and to always seek that which is beneficial.