Hadith #8343

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 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 invokes the mercy of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) upon those who possess three important qualities: taking the benefit of respite, hastening towards good deeds, and cowering out of fear of Allah. Let us delve deeper into the meanings of these words and explore their significance in light of the Quran.

The first quality mentioned by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is "امْرَءاً إغْتَنَمَ المَهَلَ" which can be translated as

the one who takes the benefit of respite [and opportunity].

The word "إغْتَنَمَ" implies seizing or making the most of something. In the context of this Hadith, it refers to utilizing the time and opportunities that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) has bestowed upon us. This concept is beautifully emphasized in the Quran in Surah Al-Asr, where 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

Here, Allah reminds us of the importance of utilizing our time wisely and engaging in righteous actions.

The second quality mentioned by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is "بادَرَ العَمَلَ" which can be translated as

hastens towards good deeds.

The word "بادَرَ" conveys the sense of eagerness and swiftness in performing good actions. This concept is beautifully illustrated in the Quran in Surah Al-Mu'minun, where Allah describes the characteristics of the believers: (Quran 25:73-76)

And those who, when they are reminded of the verses of their Lord, do not fall upon them deaf and blind. And those who say, 'Our Lord, grant us from among our wives and offspring comfort to our eyes and make us an example for the righteous.' Those will be awarded the Chamber for what they patiently endured, and they will be received therein with greetings and [words of] peace. Abiding eternally therein. Good is the settlement and residence

Here, Allah praises those who eagerly respond to His reminders and hasten towards righteous actions, seeking His pleasure.

The third quality mentioned by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is "أَكْمَشَ مِنْ وَجَل" which can be translated as

cowers out of fear [of Allah].

The word "أَكْمَشَ" signifies shrinking or cowering due to awe and fear. This fear is not a paralyzing fear, but rather a fear that motivates one to seek the pleasure of Allah and refrain from disobedience. This concept is beautifully highlighted in the Quran in Surah Al-Mutaffifin, where Allah describes the state of the righteous: (Quran 83:22-28)

Indeed, the righteous will be in pleasure, on adorned couches, observing. You will recognize in their faces the radiance of pleasure. They will be given to drink [pure] wine [which was] sealed. The last of it is musk. So for this let the competitors compete. And its mixture is of Tasneem, a spring from which those near [to Allah] drink

Here, Allah portrays the state of the righteous as one of tranquility and awe, as they fear Him and strive to please Him.

In light of these Quranic verses, we can understand the profound wisdom behind Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) words. By taking the benefit of respite, we make the most of the time and opportunities given to us by Allah. By hastening towards good deeds, we demonstrate our eagerness to please Allah and seek His reward. And by cowering out of fear of Allah, we acknowledge His greatness and strive to avoid His displeasure. These qualities, when embodied in our actions and intentions, lead to a life of righteousness and closeness to Allah.

As Muslims, let us strive to embody these qualities in our lives, seeking the mercy and pleasure of Allah. May Allah grant us the wisdom and strength to make the most of our time, hasten towards good deeds, and fear Him in all aspects of our lives. May He shower His mercy upon us and guide us on the straight path. And may we be among those who are granted success in this world and the Hereafter.