Hadith #10441

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

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

طُوبى لِمَنْ سَعى في فَكاكِ نَفْسِهِ قَبْلَ ضِيقِ الأنْفاسِ وشِدَّةِ الإبْلاسِ۔

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of striving to free oneself from the burdens of sins and worldly attachments before the time of death, when the breath becomes short and despair intensifies.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this Hadith by analyzing its key words. The word (sa'a) "سَعى" means to strive or make an effort. It implies taking proactive steps and exerting oneself in order to achieve a desired goal. (fakaak) "فَكاكِ" refers to freeing or liberating oneself, specifically from the shackles of sins and negative influences. (nafsihi) "نَفْسِهِ" refers to one's own soul or self. (diq al-anfās) "ضِيقِ الأنْفاسِ" refers to the shortness of breath, which is a metaphor for the approaching moment of death. Finally, (shiddat al-iblās) "شِدَّةِ الإبْلاسِ" signifies the severity of despair or distress that one may experience during the final moments of life.

To understand the impactful message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Taghabun (64:16),

So fear Allah as much as you are able and listen and obey and spend [in the way of Allah]; it is better for your selves. And whoever is protected from the stinginess of his soul - it is those who will be the successful.

This verse emphasizes the importance of striving to free oneself from the stinginess and selfish desires of the soul. It encourages us to fear Allah and obey His commands, as this is the path to success.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Asr (103:1-3), Allah says,

By time, indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.

These verses remind us of the fleeting nature of time and the urgency to strive for righteousness. They highlight the importance of seeking guidance, performing good deeds, and encouraging one another towards truth and patience.

In light of these Quranic verses, we can understand the exegesis of the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). The Hadith urges Muslims to actively strive and make efforts to free themselves from the burdens of sins and worldly attachments before the inevitable moment of death. It reminds us that the time for repentance and self-improvement is limited, and we must seize the opportunity while we still have the chance.

By striving to free our souls from the clutches of sins, we can attain spiritual liberation and find peace and contentment in this life and the hereafter. This requires self-reflection, sincere repentance, and a conscious effort to align our actions with the teachings of Islam. It entails purifying our hearts from negative traits such as greed, envy, and arrogance, and cultivating virtues such as humility, generosity, and compassion.

The consequences of neglecting this advice are grave. If we fail to strive for self-purification and spiritual growth, we risk facing the shortness of breath and the severity of despair at the time of death. This is a moment of immense vulnerability, where regrets and remorse may overwhelm us. However, if we have diligently strived to free ourselves from the burdens of sins, we can face death with a sense of peace and tranquility, knowing that we have prepared ourselves for the meeting with our Creator.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to actively strive for self-purification and spiritual liberation before the moment of death. It urges us to make conscious efforts to free ourselves from the shackles of sins and worldly attachments, so that we may attain success in this life and the hereafter. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength and guidance to strive for the liberation of our souls and protect us from the despair of the final moments.