Hadith #8153

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

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the lamentable state of a negligent individual whose life becomes a testimony against him, leading him towards misery and wretchedness. Let us delve deeper into the words of this profound Hadith and explore its implications in light of the Quran.

The word (hasrah) "حَسْرَةً" in the Hadith refers to a deep sense of regret and sorrow. It signifies the immense remorse that the negligent person will experience when he realizes the consequences of his heedlessness. This regret is a result of the wasted opportunities and the failure to fulfill one's obligations towards Allah.

The phrase (dhee ghaflah) "ذي غَفْلَة" refers to a person who is negligent, heedless, and unaware of the true purpose of life. This individual is engrossed in worldly pursuits and fails to prioritize his spiritual growth and connection with Allah. The Hadith emphasizes the pitiable state of such a person, whose entire life becomes a proof against him on the Day of Judgment.

To understand the gravity of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Al-Hadeed, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (57:20)

Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children - like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris.

This verse reminds us that worldly pursuits and material possessions are temporary and fleeting. They can distract us from our ultimate purpose, which is to seek the pleasure of Allah and prepare for the eternal life hereafter. The negligent person mentioned in the Hadith is one who becomes engrossed in these temporary pleasures, neglecting the remembrance of Allah and the pursuit of righteous deeds.

Furthermore, the phrase (umruhu 'alayhi hujjah) "عُمْرُهُ عَلَيْهِ حُجَّةً" in the Hadith signifies that every moment of a person's life serves as evidence against him on the Day of Judgment. This means that the negligent person will be held accountable for the time and opportunities he wasted, as well as the sins he committed during his lifetime.

In Surah Al-Isra, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (17:97-98)

And We will present Hell that Day to the Disbelievers, on display - Those whose eyes had been within a cover [removed] from My remembrance, and they were not able to hear.

This verse highlights the consequences of negligence and heedlessness towards the remembrance of Allah. Those who turn away from the guidance of Allah and fail to fulfill their obligations will be deprived of His mercy and will be exposed to the torment of Hell.

The Hadith also mentions that the days of the negligent person will lead him to wretchedness. This indicates that the consequences of a life lived in negligence and heedlessness will result in misery and suffering. The individual will be deprived of the blessings and mercy of Allah, leading to a state of eternal regret and despair.

In Surah Al-Ghashiyah, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns, (88:26)

Then it is Our job to call them to account.

This verse reminds us that every action, every word, and every moment of our lives will be accounted for on the Day of Judgment. The negligent person will have no excuse for his heedlessness, as his days will bear witness against him, leading to his wretched state.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to be vigilant and conscious of their actions. It warns against the dangers of negligence and heedlessness in the pursuit of worldly desires, which can lead to a life devoid of purpose and ultimately result in eternal regret and misery. May Allah protect us from such a fate and grant us the ability to prioritize our spiritual growth and connection with Him.