Hadith #10134

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. 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) emphasizes the importance of certain qualities and actions for those who seek prosperity and success. Let us delve into the exegesis of this profound Hadith, exploring its key words and their meanings in light of the Quran.

The first word we will examine is (ghaflah) "غَفْلَةَ", which means negligence or heedlessness. This refers to a state of being unaware or inattentive to one's responsibilities and duties towards Allah and His creation. The Quran warns against falling into such a state, as it can lead to spiritual decline and loss of guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-A'raf (7:179),

And We have certainly created for Hell many of the jinn and mankind. They have hearts with which they do not understand, they have eyes with which they do not see, and they have ears with which they do not hear. Those are like livestock; rather, they are more astray. It is they who are the heedless.

The second word is (lahw) "لَّهْوَ", which refers to diversion or engaging in frivolous activities that distract one from their purpose in life. The Quran cautions against indulging in such distractions, as they can hinder spiritual growth and lead to wasted time and effort. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-An'am (6:70),

And leave those who take their religion as amusement and diversion and whom the worldly life has deluded. But remind with the Qur'an, lest a soul be given up to destruction for what it earned; it will have other than Allah no protector and no intercessor. And if it should offer every compensation, it would not be taken from it. Those are the ones who are given to destruction for what they have earned. For them will be a drink of scalding water and a painful punishment because they used to disbelieve.

On the other hand, the Hadith encourages us to (ijtihad) "اِجْتِهَادَ" and (jidda) "جِدَّ", which respectively mean diligence and effort. These qualities entail exerting one's utmost in pursuing knowledge, fulfilling obligations, and striving for excellence in all aspects of life. The Quran praises those who demonstrate such dedication and perseverance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Imran (3:200),

O you who have believed, persevere and endure and remain stationed and fear Allah that you may be successful.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we can understand that neglecting our responsibilities and engaging in frivolous activities can hinder our progress and prevent us from attaining prosperity in this life and the hereafter. Conversely, by embracing diligence and putting in sincere effort, we can enhance our chances of success and fulfillment.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, reminds us of the importance of these qualities. His own life serves as a shining example of dedication and perseverance in the pursuit of righteousness. He tirelessly worked towards establishing justice and guiding the Muslim community, even in the face of immense challenges and opposition.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) urges us to reject negligence and diversion, and instead embrace diligence and effort in our pursuit of prosperity. By aligning our actions with the teachings of the Quran and emulating the qualities exemplified by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), we can strive towards success in this world and the hereafter. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength and guidance to embody these virtues.