Hadith #5029

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

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states:

مَنْ ساءَتْ سيرَتُهُ سَرَّتْ مَنِيَّتُهُ۔

This can be translated as:

One whose conduct is evil, his demise makes the people happy.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this impactful saying of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in light of the Quran. The word (seeratuhu) "سيرَتُهُ" refers to one's conduct, behavior, or way of life. It encompasses the actions, choices, and character of an individual. The word (sarrat) "سَرَّتْ" means to bring joy, happiness, or relief. And the word (maniyatuhu) "مَنِيَّتُهُ" refers to one's demise or death.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is highlighting the correlation between a person's conduct in life and the reaction of people upon their death. If someone's conduct is evil, corrupt, or harmful, their demise will bring happiness and relief to those who have been affected by their negative actions. This Hadith serves as a reminder of the consequences of our actions and the impact they have on the lives of others.

The Quran provides us with several verses that support the message conveyed in this Hadith. In Surah An-Nisa (4:123), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

It is not [attributable] to any prophet that he would act unfaithfully [in regard to war booty]. And whoever betrays, [taking unlawfully], will come with what he took on the Day of Resurrection. Then will every soul be [fully] compensated for what it earned, and they will not be wronged.

This verse emphasizes the importance of honesty and integrity in one's conduct. It warns against betrayal and taking what is unlawful, as the consequences will be faced in the Hereafter. The negative actions of betrayal and dishonesty will ultimately lead to a person's demise being met with joy by those who have been wronged.

Another verse that aligns with the Hadith is found in Surah Al-Qalam (68:35-36), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

Indeed, We have tried them as We tried the companions of the garden, when they swore to cut its fruit in the [early] morning, without making exception. So there came upon the garden an affliction from your Lord while they were asleep.

This story illustrates the consequences of arrogance and disobedience. The people of the garden were blessed with abundant fruits, but they became arrogant and refused to share their blessings with the poor. As a result, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) sent a punishment upon them, destroying their garden. Their demise brought relief to those who were oppressed by their selfishness and arrogance.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder that our conduct and actions have a lasting impact on the lives of others. If we choose to live a life of goodness, righteousness, and compassion, our demise will be met with sorrow and grief by those who benefited from our positive influence. Conversely, if our conduct is evil, oppressive, or harmful, our demise will bring relief and happiness to those who have suffered because of our actions.

This Hadith encourages us to reflect upon our own conduct and strive to live a life that brings joy and happiness to others. It reminds us of the importance of embodying the values of justice, kindness, and empathy, as these are the qualities that leave a lasting positive impact on society. May we all strive to follow the example of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and seek to improve our conduct, so that our demise brings comfort and happiness to those around us.