Hadith #4969

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

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states:

مَنْ سَلا عَنِ المَسْلُوبِ كَأنْ لَمْ يُسْلَبْ۔

This can be translated as:

One who forgets about what has been robbed from him, it is as if he has not been robbed.

This thought-provoking Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) holds deep wisdom and guidance for Muslims.

To fully understand the meaning of this Hadith, let us first delve into the key words used. The word (sala) "سَلا" refers to forgetting or neglecting something. It implies not giving attention or importance to a particular matter. The word (al-maslub) "المَسْلُوبِ" means something that has been robbed or taken away forcefully.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is teaching us a profound lesson about resilience and the power of letting go. He advises us that if we are able to forget or neglect what has been taken away from us, it is as if it never happened. This does not mean that we should deny or ignore the injustices committed against us, but rather, it emphasizes the importance of not allowing these losses to consume us and hinder our progress.

To further understand the wisdom behind this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 286: (2:286)

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

This verse highlights the concept of resilience and the ability of human beings to overcome challenges. It reassures us that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) does not burden us with more than we can handle.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement aligns with this Quranic principle. By advising us to forget what has been taken from us, he is encouraging us to focus on our own growth and development. Dwelling on past losses and grievances can hinder our progress and prevent us from fully utilizing our potential.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 153, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says: (2:153)

O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.

This verse emphasizes the importance of patience and seeking help from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) during times of difficulty. It reminds us that through patience and prayer, we can find solace and strength to overcome our losses.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advice aligns with this Quranic teaching as well. By encouraging us to forget what has been taken from us, he is reminding us to seek solace in patience and prayer. Instead of dwelling on our losses, we should turn to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) for comfort and guidance.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we can understand that Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is teaching us the importance of resilience and the power of letting go. By forgetting what has been taken from us, we free ourselves from the burden of past grievances and losses. This allows us to focus on our own growth and development, seeking solace in patience and prayer. It is a reminder that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) does not burden us beyond our capacity, and with His help, we can overcome any challenge.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to understand and implement the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in our lives. May He bless us with resilience and the ability to let go of past grievances, allowing us to focus on our own growth and development. Ameen.