Hadith #10004

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. May 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 highlights the immense benefit of death for those who have truly embraced faith and God-wariness in their hearts. Let us delve deeper into the words of this Hadith and explore its meaning in light of the Quran.

The key words in this Hadith are (filled his heart with faith and God-wariness)

أشْعَرَ الإيمانَ والتَّقْوى قَلْبَهُ

The word "أشْعَرَ" refers to the act of filling or saturating something completely. Here, it signifies the complete saturation of one's heart with faith and God-wariness. "الإيمانَ" refers to faith, which encompasses belief in Allah, His Prophets, the Day of Judgment, and all other articles of faith. "التَّقْوى" refers to God-wariness or piety, which involves being conscious of Allah's presence and striving to avoid anything that displeases Him.

To understand the wise message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Anfal (8:24),

O you who have believed, respond to Allah and to the Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you life.

This verse emphasizes the importance of responding to the call of Allah and His Messenger, which brings true life to our hearts. It is through faith and God-wariness that our hearts are truly alive and connected to Allah.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:14), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

The Bedouins say, 'We have believed.' Say, 'You have not [yet] believed; but say [instead], 'We have submitted,' for faith has not yet entered your hearts.

This verse highlights the distinction between mere verbal profession of faith and the true belief that resides in the heart. It is only when faith penetrates and fills the heart that it becomes a source of benefit and salvation.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the immense benefit of death for those who have truly embraced faith and God-wariness in their hearts. Death, in this context, is not something to be feared or avoided, but rather a gateway to eternal bliss and proximity to Allah. When a person has sincerely filled their heart with faith and God-wariness, death becomes a means of liberation from the trials and tribulations of this world, and a transition to the everlasting peace and joy of the Hereafter.

This Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to constantly assess the state of their hearts. Have we truly filled our hearts with faith and God-wariness, or are we merely going through the motions? It urges us to reflect on the quality of our faith and strive to deepen our connection with Allah. By doing so, we can transform our perception of death and embrace it as a means of attaining eternal success.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the immense benefit of death for those who have sincerely filled their hearts with faith and God-wariness. It reminds us to strive for a deep and genuine connection with Allah, as it is through this connection that our hearts truly come alive. May Allah grant us the ability to fill our hearts with true faith and God-wariness, and may He make death a means of ultimate benefit and salvation for us.