Hadith #11116

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, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the significance of God-consciousness, or "taqwa," in the lives of the believers. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states that the wariness of their duty towards Allah acts as a shield for His friends, protecting them from engaging in what He has forbidden. This wariness, or taqwa, is a state of consciousness that encompasses both fear and awe of Allah, as well as a deep sense of reverence and obedience.

The Imam further explains that this taqwa binds the hearts of the believers to the fear of Allah, causing them to be constantly vigilant and aware of His presence. Their nights are spent in wakefulness, engaging in acts of worship and seeking closeness to Allah. Their days are marked by thirst, as they strive to quench their spiritual thirst through devotion and submission to their Lord.

To understand the beautiful message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:13),

O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.

This verse highlights the importance of righteousness and taqwa in the sight of Allah. It emphasizes that true nobility and superiority lie not in one's lineage or social status, but in the level of piety and God-consciousness one possesses. The friends of Allah, as mentioned in the Hadith, are those who have attained this level of taqwa and have become the embodiment of righteousness.

Another verse that supports the message of the Hadith is found in Surah Al-Anfal (8:29), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

O you who have believed, if you fear Allah, He will grant you a criterion and will remove from you your misdeeds and forgive you. And Allah is the possessor of great bounty.

This verse emphasizes the relationship between taqwa and the forgiveness and mercy of Allah. When believers truly fear Allah and strive to fulfill their duties towards Him, He bestows upon them a criterion to distinguish between right and wrong. He also promises to remove their misdeeds and forgive them, demonstrating His immense mercy and generosity towards those who possess taqwa.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder to Muslims of the importance of cultivating taqwa in their lives. It teaches us that by being conscious of Allah's presence and fearing His displeasure, we can shield ourselves from engaging in sinful acts and strive to fulfill our obligations towards Him.

Furthermore, the Hadith highlights the sacrifices made by the friends of Allah in their pursuit of taqwa. Their nights are spent in wakefulness, engaging in acts of worship and seeking closeness to Allah. They willingly endure thirst and hardship, finding comfort and contentment in their devotion to their Lord.

This Hadith also serves as an inspiration for Muslims to reflect upon their own level of taqwa. It encourages us to evaluate the state of our hearts and the extent to which we fear Allah and strive to fulfill our duties towards Him. It reminds us that true success lies in attaining taqwa and seeking closeness to Allah, even if it requires sacrifice and hardship.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the significance of taqwa in the lives of the believers. It serves as a reminder of the importance of being conscious of Allah's presence, fearing His displeasure, and striving to fulfill our obligations towards Him. By cultivating taqwa, we can shield ourselves from engaging in sinful acts, seek forgiveness and mercy from Allah, and find comfort and contentment in our devotion to Him. May Allah grant us the ability to attain true taqwa and follow in the footsteps of His righteous servants.