Hadith #3319

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 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,

مُلازَمَةُ الخَلْوَةِ دَأْبُ الصُّلَحاءِ۔

This can be translated as,

Remaining in seclusion (when it is required to safeguard faith) is the habit of the righteous.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this Hadith by examining the key words and their significance. The word "مُلازَمَةُ" refers to the act of persistently engaging in or adhering to something. In this context, it signifies the continuous practice of seclusion. "الخَلْوَةِ" refers to seclusion or solitude, which involves withdrawing oneself from the distractions and temptations of the world in order to focus on spiritual growth and strengthening one's faith. "دَأْبُ" means habit or regular practice, indicating that seclusion should be a consistent and integral part of the righteous person's life. Lastly, "الصُّلَحاءِ" refers to the righteous individuals who strive to uphold their faith and maintain a strong connection with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

To further understand the significance of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-An'am (6:162),

Say, 'Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds.'

This verse emphasizes the importance of dedicating our entire lives, including our moments of seclusion, to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). By engaging in seclusion, we detach ourselves from worldly distractions and focus solely on our relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Additionally, in Surah Al-Mumtahanah (60:4), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) instructs the believers,

There has already been for you an excellent pattern in Abraham and those with him, when they said to their people, 'Indeed, we are disassociated from you and from whatever you worship other than Allah. We have denied you, and there has appeared between us and you animosity and hatred forever until you believe in Allah alone.'

This verse highlights the example of Prophet Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and his companions, who chose seclusion and disassociation from those who worshipped idols. They remained steadfast in their faith and did not compromise their beliefs, even in the face of animosity and hatred.

From these Quranic verses, we can derive the connotation behind Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith. The habit of remaining in seclusion is a characteristic of the righteous, as it allows them to strengthen their faith, detach from worldly distractions, and maintain a deep connection with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It is a practice that aligns with the examples set by the prophets and righteous individuals mentioned in the Quran.

When we engage in seclusion, we create an environment conducive to reflection, self-improvement, and spiritual growth. It provides us with an opportunity to introspect, evaluate our actions, seek forgiveness for our shortcomings, and strive for self-discipline. Seclusion enables us to distance ourselves from negative influences and temptations, allowing us to focus on strengthening our relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and seeking His guidance.

Moreover, seclusion can serve as a means to protect our faith from the challenges and trials of the world. It acts as a shield, safeguarding our beliefs and preventing us from being swayed by the pressures of society. By withdrawing from the distractions of the world, we can better preserve and nurture our faith, ensuring that it remains steadfast and unwavering.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith emphasizes the importance of seclusion as a habit of the righteous. It encourages us to engage in seclusion to strengthen our faith, detach from worldly distractions, and maintain a deep connection with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). By following the examples set by the prophets and righteous individuals mentioned in the Quran, we can strive to make seclusion a regular practice in our lives, enabling us to protect and nurture our faith in the face of challenges. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to embrace seclusion and become among the righteous.