Hadith #10436

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. 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,

مَنْ حاسَبَ نَفْسَهُ رَبِحَ۔

This can be translated as,

One who holds himself to account, gains.

This short but impactful Hadith holds deep wisdom and guidance for all Muslims, regardless of their sect.

Let us delve into the meaning of the key words in this Hadith. (hasaba) "حاسَبَ" means to take account of or to evaluate oneself. It implies introspection, self-reflection, and self-assessment. It involves examining one's thoughts, actions, and intentions in order to identify any shortcomings or areas in need of improvement. (nafsahu) "نَفْسَهُ" refers to oneself or one's own self.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hashr (59:18),

O you who have believed, fear Allah. And let every soul look to what it has put forth for tomorrow - and fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do.

This verse emphasizes the importance of self-accountability and encourages believers to reflect on their actions and intentions, keeping in mind the consequences they may face in the Hereafter.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Taghabun (64:9), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

The Day He will assemble you for the Day of Assembly - that is the Day of Deprivation. And whoever believes in Allah and does righteousness - He will remove from him his misdeeds and admit him to gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. That is the great attainment.

This verse highlights the reward for those who hold themselves accountable and strive to do good deeds. They will be granted forgiveness and eternal bliss in Paradise.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to engage in constant self-reflection and self-improvement. By holding ourselves accountable, we become aware of our strengths and weaknesses, enabling us to rectify our shortcomings and enhance our positive qualities.

When we hold ourselves accountable, we become conscious of our actions and intentions. We become more mindful of our behavior towards others, ensuring that we treat them with kindness, justice, and respect. This self-accountability also helps us in our relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). We become more aware of our worship, striving to perform our prayers, give charity, and fulfill our religious obligations sincerely and wholeheartedly.

Furthermore, self-accountability leads to personal growth and development. It motivates us to set goals and work towards achieving them. By constantly evaluating ourselves, we can identify areas where we need to improve and take the necessary steps to enhance our knowledge, skills, and character. This process of self-improvement not only benefits us individually but also positively impacts our relationships, communities, and society as a whole.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ)

One who holds himself to account, gains

serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to engage in self-reflection and self-improvement. By evaluating our actions, intentions, and character, we can rectify our shortcomings, enhance our positive qualities, and strive towards righteousness. This practice of self-accountability leads to personal growth, a stronger relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), and a positive impact on our communities and society at large. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to hold ourselves accountable and gain success in this world and the Hereafter.