Hadith #9443

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be 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 uses vivid imagery to convey a deep and insightful message. Let us delve into the words of this Hadith and explore its meaning in light of the Quran.

The first word of significance in this Hadith is (hadara) "هَدَرَ", which means "to growl" or

to make a noise.

It is used here to describe the camel. The camel, known for its silence, suddenly growls, indicating a sudden change in its behavior. This imagery highlights the unexpected nature of the events that are to follow.

The next word is (faniqu) "فَنيقُ", which means "to attack" or "to pounce." It is used here to describe the action of the falsehood or the false beliefs. Falsehood, like a rapacious beast of prey, attacks and devours everything in its path. It symbolizes the destructive nature of falsehood and its ability to cause harm and chaos.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) then mentions (al-batil) "الباطِلِ", which means "falsehood" or "false beliefs." This term refers to anything that is contrary to the truth and righteousness. It encompasses all forms of deception, misinformation, and misguided ideologies.

The phrase (kazhoom) "كَظُوم" is used to describe the silence of the camel before it growls. It signifies the calmness and tranquility that precedes the arrival of falsehood. Just as the silence of the camel is disrupted by its growl, the peace and harmony of society are disrupted by the emergence of falsehood.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) then mentions (wasal ad-dahr) "وصالَ الدَّهْرُ", which means

the passage of time

or

the flow of time.

Time, like a swift and relentless predator, attacks and devours everything in its path. It symbolizes the transient nature of life and the inevitability of change and decay.

The phrase (siyal as-sabu' al-'aqoor) "صِيالَ السَّبُعِ العَقُورِ" is used to describe the predatory nature of time. It refers to a rapacious beast of prey that is hungry and relentless in its pursuit. This imagery emphasizes the urgency and inevitability of the passage of time, which spares nothing in its path.

To understand the impactful message of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hajj (22:47),

And they urge you to hasten the punishment. But Allah will never fail in His promise. And indeed, a day with your Lord is like a thousand years of those which you count.

This verse reminds us that although time may seem to pass quickly, Allah's promise and justice are certain. It is a reminder that the consequences of our actions, whether good or bad, will be accounted for in the Hereafter. Just as the growl of the camel disrupts its silence, the passage of time will bring forth the consequences of our deeds.

Another verse that resonates with this Hadith is Surah Al-Asr (103:1-3), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

By time, indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.

This verse reminds us of the fleeting nature of time and the importance of utilizing it wisely. It emphasizes the need to seek truth, perform righteous deeds, and encourage one another towards goodness. It serves as a reminder that the passage of time should not be wasted, but rather used to seek Allah's pleasure and strive for righteousness.

In light of these Quranic verses, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder of the transient nature of life and the importance of staying vigilant against falsehood. Just as the growl of the camel disrupts its silence, falsehood disrupts the peace and harmony of society. And just as time pounces like a rapacious beast of prey, it reminds us of the urgency to utilize our time wisely and strive for righteousness.

This Hadith encourages us to be aware of the deceptive nature of falsehood and to actively seek the truth. It reminds us to be mindful of the passage of time and to make the most of every moment by engaging in righteous deeds and seeking Allah's pleasure. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to discern truth from falsehood and the ability to utilize our time in a manner that pleases Him.