Hadith #4962

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. 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:

رُبَّ سالِم بَعْدَ النَّدامَةِ۔

This can be translated as

Many a person remains safe after regret.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this enlightening Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (safe) "سالِم" in this Hadith refers to being protected from harm, danger, or punishment. It implies a state of tranquility and security. The word (regret) "نَّدامَةِ" refers to the feeling of remorse or sorrow that arises after committing a wrong action or making a mistake. It is a recognition of one's wrongdoing and a desire to rectify it.

In the Quran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of seeking forgiveness and turning back to Him after committing sins. In Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 222, Allah says,

Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves.

This verse highlights the significance of repentance and seeking forgiveness as a means to attain Allah's love and mercy.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-A'raf, verse 153, Allah says,

And when Moses returned to his people, angry and grieved, he said, 'How wretched is that by which you have replaced me after [my departure]. Were you impatient over the matter of your Lord?' And he threw down the tablets and seized his brother by [the hair of] his head, pulling him toward him. [Aaron] said, 'O son of my mother, indeed the people oppressed me and were about to kill me, so let not the enemies rejoice over me and do not place me among the wrongdoing people.'

This verse narrates the incident when Prophet Moses (Musa) returned to his people and found them worshipping the golden calf. Overwhelmed with anger and grief, he threw down the tablets of the Ten Commandments. However, his brother Aaron (Harun) sought forgiveness and explained the circumstances that led to the idol worship. Aaron's repentance and seeking forgiveness saved him from the consequences of his involvement in the wrongdoing.

Similarly, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that even after committing a mistake or sin, there is still hope for redemption and safety. It highlights the importance of recognizing our wrongdoings, feeling remorseful, and taking steps to rectify our actions. By seeking forgiveness from Allah and making sincere efforts to improve ourselves, we can attain a state of safety and protection from the negative consequences of our actions.

This Hadith also serves as a reminder that regret alone is not sufficient; it must be followed by sincere repentance and a commitment to change. Merely feeling remorseful without taking any action to rectify our mistakes will not lead to true safety and salvation. We must actively seek forgiveness, make amends, and strive to avoid repeating the same errors in the future.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ)

Many a person remains safe after regret

emphasizes the importance of seeking forgiveness and turning back to Allah after committing sins. It reminds us that even after making mistakes, there is still hope for redemption and safety if we sincerely repent and strive to improve ourselves. May Allah guide us all to recognize our wrongdoings, seek His forgiveness, and attain true safety and protection.