Hadith #3392

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all 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 reflecting upon our actions and their consequences. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to increase our gladness for the good deeds we have performed and to feel sadness for the opportunities we have missed.

Let us delve into the words of this Hadith to gain a deeper understanding. The word (sururaka) "سُرُورَكَ" refers to gladness or happiness, while (huznaka) "حُزْنَكَ" denotes sadness or sorrow. These emotions are directly linked to our actions, specifically the good deeds we have done and those that we have missed.

The word (qaddamta) "قَدَّمْتَ" means to send forth or present something. In the context of this Hadith, it refers to the good deeds we have performed and offered to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). These good deeds can include acts of worship, such as prayer, fasting, charity, and acts of kindness towards others.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to increase our gladness for the good deeds we have sent forth. This means that we should take joy in the fact that we have been able to perform acts of righteousness and please Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). We should appreciate the blessings and rewards that come with these good deeds. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us in the Quran:

(Quran 16:97)

Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer - We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do.

This verse highlights the concept of gladness and reward for the good deeds performed by believers. It assures us that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) will grant a good life and reward based on the quality of our actions.

On the other hand, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to feel sadness for the good deeds we have missed. This refers to the opportunities we have let slip by, the acts of righteousness that we could have performed but failed to do so. It is a reminder for us to reflect upon our shortcomings and strive to improve ourselves. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in the Quran:

(Quran 99:7-8)

And whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom's weight of evil will see it.

This verse emphasizes the importance of every small act, whether good or bad. It reminds us that even the smallest good deed will be rewarded and the smallest missed opportunity will be accounted for. Therefore, it is crucial for us to feel a sense of sadness and regret for the good deeds we have missed, as it serves as a motivation for us to strive harder in the future.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we realize that it encourages us to be mindful of our actions and their consequences. It teaches us to appreciate the blessings of the good deeds we have performed and to feel remorse for the opportunities we have let go. By doing so, we can continuously improve ourselves and seek the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to increase our gladness for our good deeds and to rectify our shortcomings.