Hadith #4479

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 Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

One who desires that which is with Allah, his prostrations and bowings increase.

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of seeking the pleasure of Allah and the rewards that lie with Him. Let us delve deeper into the words of this Hadith and explore its essence in light of the Quran.

The word (raghiba) "رَغِبَ" in Arabic means to desire or long for something. In this context, it refers to the longing for the rewards and blessings that Allah has promised to those who worship Him sincerely. The word (kathura) "كَثُرَ" means to increase or multiply. It signifies that the frequency and intensity of one's prostrations and bowings in prayer will increase as a result of their desire for the rewards from Allah.

This Hadith reminds us of the numerous Quranic verses that highlight the significance of prostration and bowing in worship. Allah says in Surah Al-Hajj (22:77),

O you who have believed, bow and prostrate and worship your Lord and do good - that you may succeed.

This verse emphasizes the importance of bowing and prostrating in prayer as a means to attain success in this life and the Hereafter.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-A'raf (7:206), Allah says,

And when the Quran is recited, then listen to it and pay attention that you may receive mercy.

This verse encourages Muslims to be attentive and focused during the recitation of the Quran. It is through this attentiveness that one's desire for the rewards from Allah is strengthened, leading to an increase in their prostrations and bowings.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that the desire for the rewards from Allah should be the driving force behind our acts of worship. When we truly long for the blessings and mercy of Allah, our prostrations and bowings in prayer will naturally increase. This increase is not merely in quantity, but also in quality, as our hearts become more focused and humble in the presence of our Creator.

For example, imagine a person who is deeply in love with someone and desires their companionship. They will go to great lengths to spend more time with their beloved, to express their love and devotion. Similarly, when we develop a sincere desire for the rewards from Allah, our prostrations and bowings in prayer become a means to express our love and devotion to Him.

This Hadith also highlights the motivation and consequences of seeking the rewards from Allah. When our desire for His rewards becomes the driving force behind our worship, it motivates us to strive harder and perform our acts of worship with sincerity and excellence. We become more conscious of our actions and strive to perfect our prayers, knowing that Allah is the All-Seeing and All-Knowing.

Moreover, seeking the rewards from Allah leads to a deeper connection with Him and a sense of tranquility in our worship. When we approach our prayers with the intention of seeking His pleasure, our hearts become more focused, and our minds become free from distractions. This heightened state of mindfulness allows us to experience a greater sense of peace and serenity in our prostrations and bowings.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that the desire for the rewards from Allah should be the driving force behind our acts of worship. When we truly long for His blessings and mercy, our prostrations and bowings in prayer will naturally increase in frequency and intensity. This increase is a reflection of our love, devotion, and sincere desire to seek His pleasure. May Allah grant us the ability to worship Him with sincerity and increase our prostrations and bowings in our quest for His rewards.