Hadith #10434

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.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he advises us to

weigh our souls before they are weighed

and to

hold them to account before they are held to account.

These words carry deep spiritual significance and remind us of the importance of self-reflection and self-accountability.

The word "weigh" in Arabic is (تُوازَنُوا) "tawzino", which implies the act of measuring and evaluating. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) urges us to assess the state of our souls and actions before the Day of Judgment, where our deeds will be weighed and their true value will be revealed. This emphasizes the need for introspection and self-evaluation in order to rectify our shortcomings and strive for spiritual growth.

To support this exegesis, we find a parallel in the Quran in Surah Al-Hashr (59:18), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

O you who have believed, fear Allah. And let every soul look to what it has put forth for tomorrow - and fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do.

This verse emphasizes the importance of individuals examining their own actions and being mindful of the consequences they will face in the Hereafter.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further advises us to

breathe before the throat is constricted.

This metaphorical statement urges us to seize the opportunity to seek forgiveness and repentance before it is too late. It reminds us of the transient nature of life and the uncertainty of our own mortality. Just as breathing is a natural and essential act, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) urges us to take advantage of the time we have in this world to seek spiritual purification and rectify our actions.

The Quranic verse in Surah Al-Anfal (8:24) supports this concept, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

O you who have believed, respond to Allah and to the Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you life.

This verse emphasizes the importance of responding to the call of Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ) while we are still alive and have the opportunity to seek forgiveness and guidance.

Lastly, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to

follow submissively before you are driven by force.

This statement highlights the significance of willingly submitting to the teachings of Islam and following the path of righteousness. It serves as a reminder that if we do not choose to follow the right path willingly, we may be compelled to do so by external circumstances or divine intervention.

The Quranic verse in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:256) beautifully supports this concept, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion. The right course has become clear from the wrong.

This verse emphasizes the importance of voluntary submission to the teachings of Islam and choosing the right path before it is too late.

In conclusion, the thought-provoking words of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in this Hadith serve as a reminder for Muslims to engage in self-reflection, self-accountability, and seeking forgiveness before the Day of Judgment. We are urged to assess the state of our souls, seek repentance, and willingly submit to the teachings of Islam. May we all strive to weigh our souls, hold ourselves accountable, and follow the path of righteousness before it is too late.