Hadith #8763

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.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he provides us with invaluable guidance on how to nurture and purify our hearts. Let us delve into the exegesis of this Hadith, exploring its important words and their meanings in light of the Quran.

The first word to highlight is (maw'izah) "مَوْعِظَةِ", which refers to exhortations or admonishments. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to enliven our hearts with these exhortations. This emphasizes the importance of seeking knowledge and wisdom, as it is through learning and reflecting on the teachings of Islam that our hearts are revitalized. The Quran supports this notion in Surah Al-Zumar (39:18), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Who listen to speech and follow the best of it. Those are the ones Allah has guided, and those are people of understanding.

The next word is (zuhd) "زَّهَادَةِ", which means asceticism or detachment from worldly possessions. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to kill our hearts with asceticism. This does not mean completely renouncing the world, but rather adopting a mindset of detachment and moderation. The Quran reminds us in Surah Al-Hadid (57:20) that the life of this world is temporary and its attractions are fleeting. By practicing asceticism, we free ourselves from the distractions and attachments that can hinder our spiritual growth.

The third word is (yaqeen) "يَقِينِ", which means certitude or strong belief. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to strengthen our hearts with certitude. This refers to having unwavering faith in Allah's (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) promises and relying on His guidance. The Quran emphasizes the importance of certitude in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:15), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

The believers are only those who have believed in Allah and His Messenger and then doubt not but strive with their properties and their lives in the cause of Allah. It is those who are the truthful.

The fourth word is (dhikr al-mawt) "ذِكْرِ المَوْتِ", which means the remembrance of death. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to humble our hearts with the remembrance of death. This serves as a powerful reminder of the transient nature of this worldly life and helps us prioritize our actions and intentions. The Quran reminds us in Surah Al-Imran (3:185) that every soul shall taste death, and it is through the remembrance of death that we are motivated to live a righteous and purposeful life.

The fifth word is (fana) "فَنَاءِ", which means annihilation or extinction. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to make our hearts see the transience of this life. This highlights the impermanence of worldly pleasures and the need to focus on the eternal life hereafter. The Quran emphasizes the fleeting nature of this world in Surah Al-Kahf (18:45), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And present to them the example of the life of this world, [its being] like rain which We send down from the sky, and the vegetation of the earth mingles with it and [then] it becomes dry remnants, scattered by the winds.

The final word is (faja'ia al-dunya) "فَجَائِعَ الدُّنْيَا", which means the calamities of the world. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to show our hearts the calamities of the world. This reminds us of the trials and tribulations that we may face in this life and encourages us to seek solace and contentment in our faith. The Quran assures us in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:286) that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) does not burden a soul beyond its capacity, and that with every difficulty comes relief.

In conclusion, this Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) provides us with a comprehensive guide on how to nurture and purify our hearts. By enlivening our hearts with exhortations, practicing asceticism, strengthening our certitude, humbling ourselves with the remembrance of death, recognizing the transience of this life, and acknowledging the calamities of the world, we can attain spiritual growth and draw closer to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to implement these teachings in our lives and purify our hearts.