Hadith #1606

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

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

بُكاءُ العَبْدِ مِنْ خَشيَةِ اللّهِ يُمَحِّصُ ذُنُوبَهُ۔

This can be translated as,

The weeping of a servant out of the fear of Allah clears away his sins.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this impactful Hadith in light of the Quranic teachings. Firstly, let us examine the key words in this Hadith.

The word (bukaa) "بُكاءُ" refers to weeping or shedding tears. It signifies a deep emotional state of the heart, where one's fear and awe of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) becomes so overwhelming that it manifests in tears. This weeping is not a sign of weakness, but rather a reflection of the servant's sincerity and humility before their Creator.

The term (khashiyatillah) "خَشيَةِ اللّهِ" refers to the fear or awe of Allah. It is a profound sense of reverence and respect that stems from recognizing the greatness and majesty of our Lord. This fear is not the fear of punishment, but rather a fear of displeasing Allah and falling short in fulfilling our duties towards Him.

Now, let us turn to the Quran to find support for the exegesis of this Hadith. In Surah Al-Anfal, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 8:19)

And when the believers saw the enemy, they said, 'This is what Allah and His Messenger had promised us; the promise of Allah and His Messenger has come true.' And this only increased them in faith and submission.

This verse highlights the reaction of the believers when faced with a challenging situation. Instead of despairing or losing hope, they turned to Allah in complete submission and reliance. Their fear of Allah strengthened their faith and motivated them to persevere.

Another verse that supports the exegesis of this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Mumtahanah, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 60:1)

O you who have believed, do not take My enemies and your enemies as allies, extending to them affection while they have disbelieved in what came to you of the truth.

This verse emphasizes the importance of fearing Allah and not compromising our faith for the sake of worldly relationships. The fear of displeasing Allah should be so strong that it prevents us from aligning ourselves with those who oppose His truth.

Now, let us reflect on the impactful message of this Hadith. The weeping of a servant out of the fear of Allah is a powerful expression of their sincerity and repentance. It is a sign of their recognition of their own shortcomings and their desire to seek forgiveness and purification.

When a servant sheds tears out of fear of Allah, it serves as a purification for their sins. It is a means of seeking Allah's mercy and forgiveness. This act of weeping is not a mere ritual, but a genuine reflection of the servant's remorse and determination to rectify their actions.

The weeping out of fear of Allah also serves as a motivation for the servant to improve themselves and strive towards righteousness. It reminds them of the consequences of their actions and the need to constantly seek Allah's pleasure. It instills a sense of humility and accountability, leading to a more conscious and mindful way of life.

Furthermore, this Hadith teaches us the importance of having a deep and sincere relationship with Allah. It reminds us that our actions should be driven by our fear of displeasing Him, rather than seeking the approval of others. It encourages us to prioritize our spiritual well-being over worldly desires and distractions.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that the weeping of a servant out of the fear of Allah is a means of purifying their sins. It is a reflection of their sincerity, humility, and desire for forgiveness. This act of weeping serves as a motivation for self-improvement and a reminder of the consequences of our actions. May we all strive to develop a deep and sincere fear of Allah, and may our tears be a source of purification and closeness to Him.