Hadith #163

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) contains a beautiful message about facing our fears and challenges head-on. Let us delve into the exegesis of this Hadith by examining the important words and their meanings.

The word (hibta) "هِبْتَ" in Arabic refers to fear or being afraid of something. It signifies the feeling of apprehension or anxiety that arises when we encounter a situation that seems daunting or intimidating. The word (amran) "أَمْراً" means a matter or affair, indicating any situation or circumstance that causes fear.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to (faq'a feehi) "فَقَعْ فِيهِ", which means to dive straight into the matter or to confront it directly. This implies that instead of avoiding or running away from our fears, we should face them with courage and determination.

The Imam further explains that (inna shiddata tawaqqihi a'zamu mimma takhaafu minhu)

إِنَّ شِدَّةَ تَوَقِّيهِ أَعْظَمُ مِمَّا تَخَافُ مِنْهُ

meaning that the intensity of abstaining from the fear is greater or worse than the fear itself. In other words, the consequences of avoiding or succumbing to our fears are far more detrimental than the initial fear we experience.

To support this exegesis, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Al-Imran (3:175), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

It is only Satan that suggests to you the fear of his allies. So, fear them not, but fear Me, if you are believers.

This verse reminds us that the fear instilled by Satan and his allies is baseless and should not deter us from fulfilling our duties to Allah. We should fear Allah alone and have faith in His protection.

Another relevant verse is found in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:286), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear.

This verse reassures us that Allah does not place challenges in our lives that are beyond our capabilities. Therefore, we should not let fear paralyze us, but rather trust in Allah's wisdom and face our fears with confidence.

Reflecting on the Hadith, we can understand that Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is urging us to overcome our fears by taking action. By diving straight into the matter, we confront our fears head-on and realize that the intensity of abstaining from them is far greater than the fear itself. This approach allows us to grow stronger, both spiritually and mentally, and enables us to overcome obstacles that may have seemed insurmountable.

For example, imagine a person who has a fear of public speaking. Instead of avoiding opportunities to speak in public, they decide to face their fear and actively seek opportunities to improve their public speaking skills. Through practice and perseverance, they gradually overcome their fear and become confident speakers. In this case, the person realizes that the fear of public speaking was holding them back from reaching their full potential, and by confronting it, they were able to grow and excel.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of facing our fears head-on rather than avoiding them. By diving straight into the matter, we come to realize that the consequences of abstaining from our fears are far worse than the fear itself. This approach aligns with the teachings of the Quran, which encourage us to trust in Allah's guidance and face challenges with courage and faith. May Allah grant us the strength to overcome our fears and fulfill our potential as Muslims.