Hadith #11439

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:

الْيَقْظَةُ نُورٌ، الْغَفْلَةُ غُرُورٌ

This Hadith can be translated as:

Alertness is illumination, negligence is delusion.

Let us delve into the meanings of the key words in this Hadith. (al-yaqdhah) "الْيَقْظَةُ" refers to being alert, awake, and conscious. It implies being aware of one's surroundings, actions, and responsibilities. (nur) "نُورٌ" means light, which symbolizes guidance, knowledge, and enlightenment. On the other hand, (al-ghaflah) "الْغَفْلَةُ" refers to negligence, heedlessness, and unawareness. It signifies being oblivious to the truth, unaware of one's duties, and neglectful of one's spiritual growth. (ghurur) "غُرُورٌ" means delusion, deception, or illusion. It represents being misguided, deceived, and led astray from the right path.

To further understand the enlightening message of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-An'am (6:50):

Say, 'I do not tell you that I possess the treasures of Allah, nor do I know the unseen, nor do I tell you that I am an angel. I only follow what is revealed to me.' Say, 'Are the blind and the seeing alike? Do you not then reflect?'

This verse highlights the importance of awareness and reflection. It emphasizes that there is a clear distinction between those who are blind, i.e., negligent and unaware, and those who can see, i.e., alert and conscious. The blind are unable to perceive the truth, while the seeing possess the light of knowledge and understanding.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Anfal (8:24), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states:

O you who have believed, respond to Allah and to the Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you life. And know that Allah intervenes between a man and his heart and that to Him you will be gathered.

This verse emphasizes the importance of being attentive and responsive to the call of Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ). It highlights that true life, both in this world and the hereafter, lies in adhering to the guidance of Allah and His Messenger. This can only be achieved through alertness and consciousness, which bring about spiritual enlightenment and growth.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith reminds us of the stark contrast between alertness and negligence. When we are alert and conscious of our actions, we are able to navigate through life with clarity, knowledge, and wisdom. We are aware of our responsibilities towards Allah, ourselves, and others. This awareness acts as a guiding light, illuminating our path and helping us make informed decisions.

On the other hand, negligence leads to delusion and deception. When we are heedless and unaware, we become susceptible to the whispers of Shaytan and the temptations of this world. We lose sight of our purpose and the consequences of our actions. This delusion can lead us astray, causing harm to ourselves and others.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we can see its profound implications in our daily lives. It serves as a reminder to constantly strive for alertness and consciousness in our thoughts, words, and deeds. By being vigilant and aware, we can avoid falling into the traps of negligence and delusion. We can seek knowledge, adhere to the teachings of Islam, and make choices that align with our faith.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that alertness is a source of illumination, while negligence leads to delusion. It urges us to be conscious of our actions, responsibilities, and spiritual growth. By being alert and aware, we can navigate through life with clarity, knowledge, and wisdom. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to be vigilant and conscious, and may He protect us from the pitfalls of negligence and delusion.