Hadith #7913

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he advises us not to let the difficulties and hardships we face in fulfilling our covenant with Allah lead us to break it. The Imam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of patience during times of hardship, as it is through patience that we can seek relief and a favorable outcome. He further states that this patience and perseverance are better for us than making excuses and betraying our covenant, which would only lead to negative consequences and the punishment from Allah.

To understand the depth and significance of this Hadith, let us delve into the key words and phrases used by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). The word (diq) "ضيق" refers to hardship or distress, while (nakth) "نكث" means to break or violate. The Imam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns us not to let the hardships we face tempt us into breaking our covenant with Allah.

The Imam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) then highlights the importance of patience, using the word (sabr) "صبر". Patience is a virtue emphasized throughout the Quran, as it allows us to remain steadfast in our faith and actions, even in the face of adversity. Allah says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 153:

O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that our patience during times of hardship is not in vain. Rather, it is a means through which we can seek relief and a favorable outcome. This is beautifully expressed in Surah Al-Inshirah, verses 5-6:

Indeed, with hardship [will be] ease. Indeed, with hardship [will be] ease.

Our patience and perseverance during difficult times will ultimately lead to a better outcome, both in this life and in the hereafter.

The Imam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further emphasizes that the consequences of breaking our covenant and making excuses are far worse than the temporary relief we may seek. Betraying our covenant with Allah not only leads to negative consequences in this world, but it also puts us at risk of punishment from Allah. Allah says in Surah Al-Ma'idah, verse 108:

That is because they preferred the worldly life over the Hereafter and that Allah does not guide the disbelieving people.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) urges us to reflect on the long-term consequences of our actions and to prioritize our commitment to Allah over temporary relief. By remaining patient and steadfast in fulfilling our covenant, we not only strengthen our relationship with Allah but also ensure a better outcome for ourselves in this life and the hereafter.

In conclusion, this Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to remain patient and steadfast in fulfilling our covenant with Allah, even in the face of hardships. It highlights the importance of prioritizing our commitment to Allah over temporary relief and the negative consequences of betraying our covenant. May Allah grant us the strength to remain patient and steadfast in all aspects of our lives, and may He bless us with His mercy and forgiveness.