Hadith #979

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

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the purposeful creation of human beings by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It highlights the fact that Allah has not created us in vain, without any purpose or meaning. Rather, every aspect of our existence has a profound significance and serves a greater purpose.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of the words used in this Hadith. The word (abathan) "عَبَثًا" refers to something done in vain or without purpose. It implies that Allah has not created us without any objective or intention. The word (sudan) "سُدَىٰ" means aimlessness or wandering without guidance. It signifies that Allah has not abandoned us to wander aimlessly in this world, without any direction or purpose. Lastly, the words (dalaalatin wa'umma) "ضَلَالَةٍ وَعُمْىٰ" denote misguidance and blindness. They indicate that Allah has not left us alone in a state of confusion, ignorance, or spiritual darkness.

To further understand the essence of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Mulk (67:2),

It is He who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed - and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving.

This verse reminds us that our creation is not without purpose. We have been created to be tested and to strive for excellence in our actions. Our deeds and choices in this life have consequences and determine our ultimate destiny.

Furthermore, in Surah Adh-Dhariyat (51:56), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.

This verse emphasizes that our purpose in life is to worship Allah and fulfill our obligations towards Him. We are not left alone to wander aimlessly, but rather, we have a clear purpose of worshipping and seeking closeness to our Creator.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder to Muslims that our existence is meaningful and purposeful. It encourages us to reflect on the consequences of our actions and the importance of seeking guidance from Allah's teachings. It also reminds us of the responsibility we have to strive for righteousness and avoid misguidance.

When we understand that Allah has created us with a purpose, it motivates us to live a life of purpose and meaning. We are driven to seek knowledge, engage in acts of worship, and fulfill our duties towards others. We become conscious of the choices we make and the impact they have on our spiritual journey.

Moreover, this Hadith highlights the profound knowledge possessed by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). His words reflect his deep understanding of the Quranic teachings and his ability to convey them in a concise and impactful manner. As Muslims, we should strive to follow the example of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and seek knowledge to better understand the purpose of our existence.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that Allah has not created us in vain, abandoned us to wander aimlessly, or left us in misguidance and blindness. Our purposeful creation calls us to strive for excellence, seek guidance from the Quran, and fulfill our obligations towards Allah. May Allah grant us the wisdom to understand the purpose of our existence and the strength to live a life of purpose and meaning.