Hadith #11034

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, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

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

سَمْعُ الأُذُنِ لايَنْفَعُ مَعَ غَفْلَةِ القَلْبِ

which translates to

Hearing with the ear does not benefit when the heart is heedless.

This enlightening Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of having a mindful and attentive heart in order to truly benefit from what we hear.

Let us delve into the key words of this Hadith to gain a deeper understanding. "سَمْعُ" refers to the act of hearing, which is a physical ability granted to us by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). However, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes that this mere act of hearing is not enough for it to be beneficial. "الأُذُنِ" refers to the ear, the organ through which we perceive sound. While our ears may capture sounds, the true benefit lies in how our hearts process and internalize the information.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) then highlights the importance of the heart by using the term "غَفْلَةِ" which means heedlessness or negligence. This implies that if our hearts are preoccupied, distracted, or spiritually dormant, then the act of hearing becomes futile. Our hearts must be awake, aware, and receptive to the knowledge and guidance that is being conveyed to us.

To further understand the significance of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us in Surah Al-Hajj, verse 46:

Have they not traveled through the land, and have they hearts wherewith to understand and ears wherewith to hear? Verily, it is not the eyes that grow blind, but it is the hearts which are in the breasts that grow blind.

This verse emphasizes that the true understanding and comprehension of the messages conveyed to us lies within our hearts. Our physical ability to hear is not enough if our hearts are spiritually blind or heedless. It is the state of our hearts that determines the extent to which we benefit from what we hear.

In Surah Al-Anfal, verse 21, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states:

And do not be like those who say, 'We have heard,' while they do not hear.

This verse warns us against being superficial listeners who merely hear the words without truly internalizing their meanings. It is a reminder that true benefit lies in actively listening and engaging with the message, allowing it to penetrate our hearts and transform our actions.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a profound reminder for Muslims. It urges us to cultivate a mindful and attentive heart, one that is receptive to the knowledge and guidance that is being imparted to us. Merely hearing with our ears is not enough; we must actively engage with the message, reflect upon it, and allow it to shape our thoughts, actions, and character.

When our hearts are heedless, we may attend lectures, recite the Quran, or engage in religious discussions, but the true benefit eludes us. Our hearts must be present and focused, actively seeking to understand and implement the teachings of Islam. By doing so, we can truly benefit from the knowledge that we acquire and transform it into positive action.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith reminds us that the act of hearing is not enough if our hearts are heedless. We must strive to cultivate a mindful and attentive heart, one that actively engages with the knowledge and guidance that is being imparted to us. By doing so, we can truly benefit from what we hear and allow it to positively impact our lives as Muslims. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to have attentive hearts and the wisdom to apply the teachings of Islam in our lives.