Hadith #4097

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 purified progeny, and his noble companions.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he states,

When you see that Allah is making you comfortable with His creation and isolating you from His remembrance, then (know that) He dislikes you.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this Hadith and explore its implications in light of the Quran.

The key words in this Hadith are (dislikes you) "أبْغَضَكَ", (making you comfortable) "يُؤْنِسُكَ", and (isolating you) "يُوحِشُكَ".

When Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) "makes you comfortable" with His creation, it refers to a state where a person becomes engrossed in worldly affairs, indulging in materialistic pleasures and forgetting their true purpose in life. They become attached to the transient and temporary aspects of this world, neglecting their relationship with Allah and their spiritual growth. This comfort and ease in worldly matters can lead to negligence in fulfilling religious obligations and a decrease in remembrance of Allah.

On the other hand, when Allah "isolates you" from His remembrance, it means that a person experiences a sense of detachment from the remembrance of Allah, His guidance, and His teachings. They find themselves distant from acts of worship, such as prayer, recitation of the Quran, and seeking knowledge. This isolation can be a consequence of neglecting one's religious duties, indulging in sins, or being preoccupied with worldly distractions.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns us that when we find ourselves in such a state, it is an indication that Allah dislikes us. This dislike does not mean that Allah hates us in the absolute sense, as Allah is the Most Merciful and Forgiving. Rather, it signifies that Allah is displeased with our actions and desires us to rectify our behavior and return to Him.

To further understand the implications of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:165),

And [yet], among the people are those who take other than Allah as equals [to Him]. They love them as they [should] love Allah. But those who believe are stronger in love for Allah.

This verse highlights the importance of directing our love and attachment towards Allah above all else. When we prioritize our love for Allah and His remembrance, we strengthen our relationship with Him and distance ourselves from anything that may displease Him.

Additionally, in Surah Al-Kahf (18:28), Allah warns us about the consequences of being attached to the worldly life and neglecting the remembrance of Allah. He says,

And present to them the example of the life of this world, [its being] like rain which We send down from the sky, and the vegetation of the earth mingles with it and [then] it becomes dry remnants, scattered by the winds. And Allah is ever, over all things, Perfect in Ability.

This verse reminds us that the pleasures and comforts of this world are temporary and fleeting. If we become too engrossed in them, we risk losing sight of our ultimate purpose and the eternal rewards that await us in the Hereafter.

Reflecting on the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and the supporting Quranic verses, we understand that Allah's dislike is a manifestation of His mercy and guidance. It serves as a wake-up call for us to reevaluate our priorities, reconnect with our Creator, and strive for a balanced life that encompasses both worldly responsibilities and spiritual growth. We should seek Allah's pleasure by fulfilling our religious obligations, engaging in acts of worship, and constantly remembering Him in our hearts and actions.

May Allah guide us to the straight path and protect us from the distractions and temptations of this world. May He grant us the strength to overcome our attachments and prioritize His remembrance above all else. Ameen.