Hadith #1315

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 that we are reflecting upon is: "إنَّ المُؤْمِنينَ وَجِلُونَ۔" This Hadith, attributed to Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), can be translated as:

Verily believers are afraid [of displeasing Allah].

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this thought-provoking saying in light of the Quran. The key word in this Hadith is (wajiloon) "وَجِلُونَ", which is derived from the root word (wajala) "وَجَلَ". It carries the connotation of fear, awe, and reverence. It signifies a state of consciousness and mindfulness that believers possess towards Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

This fear mentioned in the Hadith is not the fear of punishment, but rather a fear of displeasing Allah and falling short in fulfilling His commands. It is a fear that stems from a deep love and respect for the Creator. This fear is a driving force that motivates believers to strive for righteousness and to avoid actions that may displease Allah.

The Quran provides us with numerous verses that emphasize the importance of this fear and awe towards Allah. In Surah Al-Hashr, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says: (Quran 59:9)

And those who were settled in the Home (i.e., Madinah) and adopted the faith before them love those who emigrate to them and find not any want in their breasts of what the emigrants were given but give [them] preference over themselves, even though they are in privation. And whoever is protected from the stinginess of his soul - it is those who will be the successful.

This verse highlights the selflessness and generosity of the believers who put the needs of others before their own. Their fear of falling short in fulfilling the rights of their fellow believers motivates them to go above and beyond in their acts of kindness and charity. This fear is not driven by a desire for recognition or reward, but rather by a sincere desire to please Allah and follow the example set by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his noble companions.

Another verse that sheds light on the concept of fear in the context of believers is found in Surah Al-Imran: (Quran 64:16)

So fear Allah as much as you are able and listen and obey and spend [in the way of Allah]; it is better for your selves. And whoever is protected from the stinginess of his soul - it is those who will be the successful.

This verse emphasizes the importance of fearing Allah to the best of our abilities. It reminds us to be conscious of our actions and to strive for obedience to Allah's commands. The fear mentioned here is not a paralyzing fear, but rather a fear that compels us to be mindful of our choices and to constantly seek improvement in our relationship with Allah.

Imam Ali's statement in the Hadith highlights the significance of this fear in the life of a believer. It serves as a reminder that true believers are constantly aware of their actions and strive to align them with the pleasure of Allah. This fear is not a sign of weakness, but rather a reflection of the strength of their faith and their deep understanding of the consequences of their actions.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the importance of cultivating a sense of fear and awe towards Allah in our hearts. This fear is not driven by a fear of punishment, but rather by a sincere desire to please our Creator and to avoid actions that may displease Him. It is a fear that motivates us to constantly strive for righteousness and to be mindful of our choices. May Allah grant us the ability to develop this fear and to be among those who are successful in this life and the Hereafter.