Hadith #4808

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 purified progeny, and his noble companions.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he beautifully describes the relationship between joy and calamity in the life of a believer. Let us delve into the exegesis of this Hadith, exploring its important words and their meanings in light of the Quran.

The word (awda'a) "أوْدَعَ" in the Hadith refers to putting or depositing something in the heart. It signifies the act of placing joy or happiness in the heart of a believer. The word (surur) "سُرُورًا" means joy or delight. It represents the positive emotions that bring happiness and contentment to a person's heart.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states that whenever Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) puts joy in the heart of a believer, He creates a grace from that joy. This grace is a divine blessing that encompasses the believer, providing him with strength, resilience, and the ability to face any calamity that may befall him.

To understand the essence of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for further guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Inshirah (94:5-6):

Verily, with every difficulty, there is relief. Verily, with every difficulty, there is relief.

This Quranic verse emphasizes that along with every hardship, there is ease. It highlights the balance that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) has created in the life of a believer.

When a believer experiences joy and happiness, it is a manifestation of Allah's grace upon him. This joy serves as a source of strength and resilience, enabling the believer to face any calamity that may come his way. Just as water flows over an obstacle, the grace bestowed by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) flows over the calamity, gradually expelling it from the believer's heart and life.

The analogy of the unfamiliar camel being expelled from the group of camels further illustrates the process of how the grace of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) removes calamities from the life of a believer. Just as an unfamiliar camel is separated from the group, the calamity is eventually expelled and removed from the believer's life, leaving him in a state of peace and tranquility.

This Hadith teaches us that joy and calamity are intertwined in the life of a believer. The joy that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) places in our hearts serves as a source of strength and resilience during times of hardship. It is a reminder that every difficulty we face is temporary and will ultimately be replaced with relief.

As Muslims, we should strive to maintain a positive outlook and seek joy in our lives, knowing that it is a means through which Allah's grace manifests. We should also remember that when calamities befall us, they are not meant to break us but to test our faith and strengthen our character. By relying on the grace of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and seeking solace in His words, we can overcome any adversity that comes our way.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to find joy in our hearts and the strength to face any calamity with patience and resilience. May He shower His blessings upon us and guide us on the path of righteousness. And may peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his purified progeny, and his noble companions.