Hadith #10396

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. Peace and blessings be upon Muhammad, his family, his companions, and the righteous successors.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

تَقاضَ نَفْسَكَ بِما يَجِبُ عَلَيْها تَأمَنْ تَقاضِيَ غَيْرِكَ لَكَ،وَاسْتَقْصِعَلَيْها تَغْنَ عَنِ اسْتِقْصاءِ غَيْرِكَ۔

This enlightening saying emphasizes the importance of self-accountability and self-scrutiny. Let us delve into the exegesis of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (taqada) "تَقاضَ" in the Hadith means to demand or require. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to demand from our own souls the performance of what is obligatory upon it. This implies that we should hold ourselves accountable and fulfill our responsibilities without waiting for others to demand it from us. By doing so, we ensure our own safety from the demands and expectations of others.

This concept of self-accountability finds its roots in the Quran as well. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hadid (57:7),

Believe in Allah and His Messenger and spend out of that in which He has made you successors. For those who have believed among you and spent, there will be a great reward.

This verse highlights the importance of fulfilling our obligations and responsibilities as believers, without waiting for others to demand it from us.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further advises us to (istaqsia) "اسْتَقْصِعَ" or scrutinize our souls. This means to examine ourselves closely and thoroughly, to assess our actions, intentions, and character. By doing so, we become self-sufficient and have no need for the scrutiny and judgment of others.

The Quran also emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and self-improvement. 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 urges us to constantly evaluate our actions and intentions, and to fear Allah in all that we do.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advice in this Hadith is a powerful reminder for all Muslims. By demanding from ourselves the fulfillment of our obligations and scrutinizing our own actions, we become self-reliant and independent from the demands and judgments of others. This self-accountability leads to personal growth, self-improvement, and ultimately, a stronger connection with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

For example, if we demand from ourselves the performance of obligatory prayers, fasting, and charity, we will not only fulfill our religious duties but also strengthen our relationship with Allah. Similarly, if we scrutinize our own behavior and strive to improve our character, we will become more conscious of our actions and their impact on ourselves and others.

The consequences of implementing Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advice are far-reaching. By being self-accountable and self-scrutinizing, we become individuals who are proactive, responsible, and self-aware. We become less dependent on the validation and approval of others, and more focused on pleasing Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) alone.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of demanding from ourselves the fulfillment of our obligations and scrutinizing our own actions. This concept of self-accountability and self-scrutiny is supported by various Quranic verses that emphasize the need for self-reflection and self-improvement. By implementing this advice, we become individuals who are self-reliant, self-aware, and focused on pleasing Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) above all else. May Allah grant us the ability to practice self-accountability and self-scrutiny in our lives.