Hadith #11103

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. Peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure and noble Ahl al-Bayt, and his righteous companions.

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

اِتَّقِ اللّهَ بِطاعَتِهِ، وأطِعِ اللّهَ بِتَقْواهُ۔

This thought-provoking Hadith can be translated as:

Fear Allah by obeying Him, and obey Allah by fearing Him.

Let us delve into the exegesis of this Hadith by exploring the key words and their meanings. The word (Ittaqi) "اتقِ" is derived from the root word (Waqaya) "وَقَى", which means to protect or shield oneself from harm. In the context of this Hadith, (Ittaqi) "اتقِ" refers to the act of fearing Allah and being conscious of His presence in every aspect of our lives. It encompasses both the fear of His punishment and the awe and reverence we should have for Him.

The word (Taa'atih) "طاعَتِهِ" means obedience to Allah. It implies submitting to His commands and following His guidance in all aspects of our lives. Obedience to Allah is not limited to performing obligatory acts of worship, but it also includes fulfilling our responsibilities towards others and abstaining from sinful actions.

On the other hand, the word (Taqwah) "تَقْواهُ" is derived from the root word (Waqaya) "وَقَى" as well. It refers to the state of being conscious and aware of Allah's presence at all times. Taqwah involves guarding oneself against sin and striving to please Allah in every action and decision. It is a comprehensive concept that encompasses righteousness, piety, and mindfulness of Allah's commands.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah says: (Quran 9:119)

O you who have believed, fear Allah and be with those who are true.

This verse emphasizes the importance of fearing Allah and being in the company of those who are sincere in their faith. It highlights the need to surround ourselves with righteous individuals who can serve as a source of guidance and inspiration.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Imran, Allah says: (Quran 3:102)

O you who have believed, fear Allah as He should be feared and do not die except as Muslims [in submission to Him].

This verse reminds us that our fear of Allah should be in accordance with His greatness and majesty. It urges us to live and die as Muslims, fully submitting to Allah's will.

The exegesis of this Hadith teaches us the importance of a balanced approach to our relationship with Allah. We are reminded to fear Allah by obeying Him, which means fulfilling our obligations and staying away from sinful acts. At the same time, we are encouraged to obey Allah by fearing Him, which means being mindful of His presence and seeking His pleasure in all that we do.

By obeying Allah out of fear, we demonstrate our love and reverence for Him. This fear should not paralyze us or lead to despair, but rather it should motivate us to strive for excellence in our worship and conduct. It should inspire us to seek forgiveness for our shortcomings and to constantly improve ourselves.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to fear Allah by obeying Him and to obey Allah by fearing Him. It emphasizes the importance of striking a balance between fear and love, obedience and mindfulness. May Allah grant us the ability to fear Him and obey Him in the best possible manner, and may He guide us on the path of righteousness.