Hadith #4185

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

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

راكِبُ المَعْصِيَةِ مَثْواهُ النّارُ۔

This can be translated as,

The one who embarks upon sin, his [final] abode is hellfire.

Let us delve into the meaning of some important words in this Hadith. The word (rakib) "راكِبُ" means

the one who embarks upon

or

the one who rides.

It signifies the act of willingly engaging in sinful actions. The word (ma'siyati) "مَعْصِيَةِ" refers to sin or disobedience. It encompasses any action that goes against the commands of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and His Messenger (ﷺ).

To understand the enlightening message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly warns us about the consequences of sin and disobedience. In Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 81, Allah says,

And [recall] when Allah took the covenant of the prophets, [saying], 'Whatever I give you of the Scripture and wisdom and then there comes to you a messenger confirming what is with you, you [must] believe in him and support him.' [Allah] said, 'Have you acknowledged and taken upon that My commitment?' They said, 'We have acknowledged it.' He said, 'Then bear witness, and I am with you among the witnesses.'

This verse highlights the importance of following the guidance of the Prophet (ﷺ) and the subsequent Imams (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) who were appointed by Allah. By embarking upon sin, one not only disobeys Allah's commands but also disregards the teachings and guidance of the Prophet and his Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ).

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Imran, verse 185, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained [his desire]. And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion.

This verse reminds us of the transient nature of this worldly life and the ultimate reality of the Hereafter. Those who engage in sin and disobedience are deluded by the temporary pleasures of this world, while neglecting the eternal consequences of their actions. The final abode of such individuals will be the hellfire, as stated in the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ).

Reflecting on this Hadith, we realize the importance of striving to avoid sin and disobedience. It serves as a reminder that our actions have consequences, both in this world and the Hereafter. By consciously choosing to embark upon sin, we are willingly subjecting ourselves to the punishment of the hellfire.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) possessed immense knowledge and wisdom, and his words carry great weight and significance. Through this Hadith, he emphasizes the gravity of sin and the need for individuals to be mindful of their actions. It serves as a call to self-reflection and a reminder to seek forgiveness and guidance from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns us about the consequences of willingly engaging in sin. It serves as a reminder to seek forgiveness, guidance, and protection from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). By reflecting on the teachings of the Quran and the wisdom of the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ), we can strive to lead a righteous life and avoid the path that leads to the hellfire. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all and protect us from the temptations of sin.