Hadith #10480

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 Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

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

مَنْ أهْمَلَ نَفْسَهُ خَسِرَ۔

This can be translated as,

Whoever neglects his soul incurs loss.

Let us delve into the connotation of this Hadith in the light of the Quran.

The word (ahmala) "أهْمَلَ" in this Hadith refers to neglecting or disregarding something. In this context, it signifies neglecting one's own soul, which is the essence of our being and the vessel through which we connect with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Neglecting the soul can manifest in various ways, such as neglecting our spiritual growth, failing to seek knowledge, or indulging in sinful actions.

To understand the gravity of neglecting one's soul, we turn to the Quran, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of nurturing and purifying our souls. In Surah Al-Shams, Allah says, (Quran 91:7-10)

And [by] the soul and He who proportioned it. And inspired it [with discernment of] its wickedness and its righteousness. He has succeeded who purifies it, and he has failed who instills it [with corruption].

This verse highlights the significance of the soul and the responsibility we have to purify it. Neglecting our souls means failing to fulfill this responsibility, which ultimately leads to loss and regret.

Neglecting the soul can have severe consequences in both this world and the Hereafter. In Surah Al-Hashr, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns, (Quran 63:9)

O you who have believed, let not your wealth and your children divert you from remembrance of Allah. And whoever does that - then those are the losers.

This verse reminds us that neglecting our souls by prioritizing worldly pursuits over the remembrance of Allah can lead to loss and deprivation. Material possessions and worldly distractions may provide temporary satisfaction, but they cannot fulfill the deep spiritual needs of our souls.

Neglecting the soul also hinders our ability to attain true success and happiness. In Surah Al-Qasas, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 20:124)

And whoever turns away from My remembrance - indeed, he will have a depressed life, and We will gather him on the Day of Resurrection blind.

This verse highlights the consequences of neglecting the soul. Those who turn away from the remembrance of Allah will experience a sense of emptiness and dissatisfaction in their lives. Moreover, on the Day of Resurrection, they will be gathered blind, symbolizing their spiritual blindness and loss of guidance.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we realize that neglecting our souls is a grave mistake with far-reaching consequences. It leads to loss in this life and the Hereafter, depriving us of true success, happiness, and spiritual fulfillment. Therefore, it is incumbent upon us as Muslims to prioritize the nourishment and purification of our souls through seeking knowledge, performing righteous deeds, and constantly striving for self-improvement.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his profound knowledge and spirituality, reminds us of the importance of self-care and self-reflection. By actively nurturing our souls and seeking closeness to Allah, we can avoid the loss mentioned in this Hadith and attain true success and eternal bliss. May Allah guide us all to prioritize the well-being of our souls and protect us from neglecting them.