Hadith #11256

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds, and blessings be upon Muhammad (ﷺ) and his pure progeny, the Ahl al-Bayt, as well as his noble companions.

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

مَنْ أَطاعَ التَّوانِيَ أحاطَتْ بِهِ النَّدامَةُ۔

This Hadith can be translated as,

One who submits to lethargy is encompassed by regret.

Let us delve into the meaning of the key words in this Hadith. (ata'a) "أَطاعَ" means to obey or submit to. (tawaniya) "التَّوانِيَ" refers to lethargy or laziness. And (nadamah) "النَّدامَةُ" means regret or remorse.

To understand the impactful message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Al-Hadid, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (57:19)

And be not like those who forgot Allah, so He made them forget themselves. Those are the defiantly disobedient.

This verse highlights the consequences of forgetting or neglecting Allah's commands. When one becomes lethargic in fulfilling their religious obligations and neglects their spiritual growth, they are bound to experience regret and loss.

Similarly, in Surah Al-Hashr, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns, (59:19)

And be not like those who forgot Allah, so He made them forget themselves. Those are the defiantly disobedient.

This verse emphasizes the importance of constantly remembering Allah and not allowing laziness to hinder our spiritual progress.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to avoid succumbing to laziness and lethargy in their religious duties. It highlights the negative consequences of neglecting our responsibilities towards Allah and our own selves. When we become complacent and fail to strive for excellence in our worship, we risk losing the blessings and rewards that come with it.

For instance, if a Muslim neglects their daily prayers due to lethargy, they may experience regret and remorse for missing out on the spiritual nourishment and closeness to Allah that prayer provides. Similarly, if one fails to seek knowledge and educate themselves about Islam, they may regret not benefiting from the wisdom and guidance that could have enriched their lives.

This Hadith also serves as a motivation for Muslims to actively combat laziness and strive for excellence in all aspects of their lives. It encourages us to be diligent in fulfilling our religious obligations, seeking knowledge, and continuously improving ourselves. By doing so, we can avoid the regret and remorse that accompanies a life of lethargy and negligence.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the importance of avoiding laziness and lethargy in our religious duties. It warns us of the regret and loss that comes with neglecting our responsibilities towards Allah and ourselves. By actively striving for excellence and continuously seeking knowledge, we can ensure that we do not fall into the trap of lethargy and its consequences. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength and motivation to overcome laziness and fulfill our obligations with sincerity and dedication.