Hadith #10126

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.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

Alertness of the eyes does not benefit while the hearts are negligent.

This enlightening Hadith highlights the importance of having a vigilant heart in order to truly benefit from the awareness of our senses. Let us delve deeper into the words of this Hadith and explore its meaning in light of the Quran.

The word (intibah) "إنتباه" in Arabic refers to attentiveness or alertness. It implies being fully present and aware of one's surroundings. The term (al-'uyun) "العيون" translates to eyes, which are the windows to our perception of the world. However, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes that this alertness of the eyes is of no benefit if the hearts are negligent.

The word (ghaflah) "غفلة" means negligence or heedlessness. It signifies a state of being unaware or oblivious to the reality of our existence and the purpose of our lives. When our hearts are negligent, our alertness becomes superficial, lacking depth and sincerity. Our eyes may see, but our hearts fail to comprehend and internalize the lessons and messages that surround us.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hajj (22:46),

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 the importance of having a heart that is receptive to understanding and a mind that is open to learning. It reminds us that true insight and comprehension come from the heart, not just from the physical act of seeing. Our eyes may witness the signs of Allah's creation, but it is our hearts that truly perceive and reflect upon them.

Another verse that complements the message of the Hadith is found in Surah Al-Hadid (57:16), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Has the time not come for those who have believed that their hearts should become humbly submissive at the remembrance of Allah and what has come down of the truth?

This verse highlights the necessity of having a humble and submissive heart in the remembrance of Allah. It reminds us that true benefit and guidance can only be attained when our hearts are fully engaged and receptive to the truth. Mere external observance without internal reflection and submission is insufficient to derive true benefit from our actions.

Reflecting on the Hadith, we can understand that Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is urging us to cultivate a state of mindfulness and awareness that goes beyond the superficial. It is not enough to merely see and observe; we must internalize and reflect upon what we witness. Our hearts must be fully engaged in order to derive true benefit from our experiences.

When our hearts are negligent, we become disconnected from the deeper meanings and lessons that surround us. We may see the signs of Allah's existence and His blessings, but they fail to impact us on a profound level. Our actions become mechanical and devoid of spiritual significance.

Conversely, when our hearts are fully engaged and attentive, our eyes become a means of perceiving the signs of Allah's presence and guidance in every aspect of our lives. We become more conscious of our actions, thoughts, and intentions, and strive to align them with the teachings of Islam. Our alertness becomes a source of spiritual growth and enlightenment.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that true benefit and guidance can only be attained when our hearts are fully engaged and attentive. Mere external observance is insufficient if our hearts are negligent and disconnected. We must strive to cultivate a state of mindfulness and awareness that goes beyond the superficial, allowing us to perceive the signs of Allah's presence and guidance in every aspect of our lives. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to be truly alert and attentive, both in our physical senses and in the depths of our hearts.