Hadith #7626

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

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

اِعْمَلْ عَمَلَ مَنْ يَعْلَمُ أنَّ اللّهَ مُجازيِهِ بِإسائَتِهِ وإحْسانِهِ۔

This can be translated as,

Act like one who knows that Allah will surely recompense him for his evil and good deeds.

In this thought-provoking Hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to live our lives with the awareness that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) will reward us for both our evil and good actions. This Hadith emphasizes the importance of consciousness and accountability in our deeds, as we will be held responsible for our actions in the Hereafter.

To understand the depth of this Hadith, let us delve into the key words and concepts it presents. The word (amala) "عَمَلَ" refers to actions or deeds. It encompasses all aspects of our behavior, whether they are physical, verbal, or even internal thoughts and intentions. Our actions are not limited to the outward manifestations, but also include the inner workings of our hearts and minds.

The word (ya'lamu) "يَعْلَمُ" means to know or be aware. It highlights the importance of knowledge and understanding in shaping our actions. It implies that we should strive to acquire knowledge about the consequences of our deeds and the divine recompense that awaits us.

The term (mujaziihi) "مُجازيِهِ" refers to the recompense or reward that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) bestows upon individuals for their actions. It signifies that every action, whether good or evil, will be met with a just reward from Allah.

The Hadith emphasizes the idea that our actions have consequences, and Allah's recompense is based on the quality of our deeds. It reminds us that we should act with the awareness that our actions will be rewarded or punished accordingly. This awareness should guide our behavior and motivate us to strive for righteousness and avoid evil.

To further understand the significance of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the concept of accountability and recompense in numerous verses. For instance, in Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah says:

(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 promise of a good life and a just reward for those who engage in righteous deeds. It reinforces the idea that Allah's recompense is based on the quality of our actions and encourages us to strive for righteousness.

In another verse, Allah says:

(Quran 99:8)

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

This verse serves as a reminder that even the smallest of evil deeds will not go unnoticed by Allah. It emphasizes the accountability we have for our actions, regardless of their magnitude.

Reflecting on the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and the supporting Quranic verses, we understand that our actions have consequences in this world and the Hereafter. Our deeds, whether good or evil, will be recompensed by Allah according to their nature. This awareness should motivate us to strive for righteousness, as we know that Allah will reward us for our good actions. Similarly, it should deter us from committing evil, as we will be held accountable for our transgressions.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) profound advice serves as a reminder for Muslims to live their lives with consciousness and accountability. It encourages us to constantly evaluate our actions and strive for excellence in all aspects of our lives. By acting with the knowledge that Allah will recompense us for our deeds, we can seek His pleasure and attain success in this world and the Hereafter. May Allah guide us all to follow the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and grant us the ability to act in accordance with this profound Hadith.