Hadith #5295

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.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he is addressing a man who has been blessed with the birth of a son. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) begins by congratulating the man and expressing his joy for this blessed occasion. He then advises the man to be grateful to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), the Giver of all blessings, for this precious gift. The Imam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further prays for the man, saying,

May he come of age and may you be blessed with his devotion.

Let us delve deeper into the exegesis of this Hadith in light of the Quran. The first important word in this Hadith is (shakarta) "شَكَرْتَ", which means

you have occasion to be grateful.

Gratitude is a fundamental aspect of our faith, and it is emphasized throughout the Quran. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Ibrahim (14:7),

And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, 'If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.'

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the importance of expressing gratitude to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) for the blessings bestowed upon us. When we acknowledge and appreciate the gifts we receive, we open ourselves up to receiving even more blessings from our Generous Lord.

The next significant word in this Hadith is (būrika) "بُورِكَ", which means "be blessed." This word signifies the desire for Allah's blessings to be showered upon the man and his newborn son. The concept of seeking blessings from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) is deeply rooted in our faith. In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:201), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And among them are those who pray, 'Our Lord, grant us in this world [that which is] good and in the Hereafter [that which is] good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.'

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) invokes this blessing upon the man and his son, asking Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) to bestow His blessings upon them in this life and the hereafter. This serves as a reminder for us to seek Allah's blessings in all aspects of our lives, knowing that His blessings bring us goodness and protection.

The Imam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) then prays for the son to (balagha ashuddahu) "بَلَغَ أشُدَّهُ", which means

may he come of age.

This phrase highlights the importance of reaching maturity and attaining wisdom. In Surah Al-Isra (17:80), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And say: My Lord! Cause me to come in with a firm incoming and to go out with a firm outgoing. And give me from Thy presence a sustaining Power.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) prays for the son to reach the age of maturity, both physically and spiritually. He recognizes the significance of attaining wisdom and understanding in order to navigate the challenges of life with strength and resilience.

Lastly, the Imam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) prays for the man to be blessed with his son's devotion, saying, (waruziqta birrahu) "وَرُزِقْتَ بِرَّهُ". This phrase emphasizes the importance of a child's devotion and righteousness towards their parents. In Surah Al-Isra (17:23-24), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], 'uff,' and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) prays for the man to be blessed with a son who will be devoted to him, treating him with kindness and respect. This highlights the importance of maintaining strong family bonds and fostering a loving relationship between parents and children.

In conclusion, this Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a beautiful reminder for us as Muslims. It emphasizes the importance of gratitude, seeking Allah's blessings, attaining wisdom, and nurturing strong family relationships. By reflecting on the thoughtful words of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and applying them to our lives, we can strive to be grateful, seek Allah's blessings, and foster strong family ties, ultimately leading to a life of righteousness and devotion. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to embody these teachings and bless us with His mercy and guidance.