Hadith #8145

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, "الْغَفْلَةُ شيمَةُ النَّوْكى۔" This can be translated as,

Negligence is the trait of the foolish.

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

The word (al-ghaflah) "الْغَفْلَةُ" refers to negligence or heedlessness. It is the state of being unaware or inattentive to one's surroundings, responsibilities, or spiritual obligations. Negligence is a dangerous trait as it can lead one astray from the path of righteousness and prevent them from fulfilling their duties towards Allah and their fellow human beings.

The term (shimat) "شيمَةُ" means a trait or characteristic. It is a quality that defines and distinguishes an individual. In this context, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is highlighting that negligence is a defining trait of the foolish. It is a characteristic that is associated with those who lack wisdom and understanding.

To further understand the significance of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of mindfulness and awareness in the Quran. In Surah Al-A'raf (7:179), Allah says,

And We have certainly created for Hell many of the jinn and mankind. They have hearts with which they do not understand, they have eyes with which they do not see, and they have ears with which they do not hear. Those are like livestock; rather, they are more astray. It is they who are the heedless.

This verse highlights the consequences of negligence and heedlessness. Those who are negligent in their hearts, sight, and hearing are compared to livestock, devoid of understanding and guidance. They are described as being more astray than animals. This serves as a stark reminder for Muslims to be vigilant and mindful of their actions, thoughts, and intentions.

Another verse that sheds light on the significance of this Hadith is found in Surah Al-A'raf (7:205), where Allah says,

And remember your Lord within yourself in humility and in fear without being apparent in speech - in the mornings and the evenings. And do not be among the heedless.

This verse emphasizes the importance of remembering Allah and being conscious of His presence at all times. It encourages Muslims to cultivate a state of mindfulness and awareness, both internally and externally. By doing so, one can avoid falling into the trap of negligence and heedlessness.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that negligence is a trait of the foolish. It is a characteristic that hinders our spiritual growth and prevents us from fulfilling our duties as Muslims. Negligence can lead to a lack of awareness of our actions, a disregard for the consequences of our choices, and a failure to prioritize our relationship with Allah.

As Muslims, we should strive to be vigilant and mindful in all aspects of our lives. We should constantly seek knowledge, reflect on our actions, and make conscious efforts to improve ourselves. By doing so, we can avoid the path of negligence and embody the qualities of wisdom, understanding, and righteousness.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the dangers of negligence and the importance of being mindful and aware. It is a call to action for Muslims to strive for excellence in their faith and to avoid falling into the trap of heedlessness. May Allah guide us all on the path of righteousness and protect us from the trait of negligence.