Hadith #119

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 Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the consequences of falling short in our actions and the importance of dedicating our wealth and resources in the name of Allah. Let us delve deeper into the words of this Hadith to understand its connotation and significance.

The first part of the Hadith states,

Whoever falls short of actions falls into grief.

Here, the word (qassara) "قَصَّرَ" refers to someone who neglects or fails to fulfill their obligations and duties towards Allah and His creation. This includes neglecting acts of worship, such as prayer, fasting, and giving charity, as well as neglecting acts of kindness and justice towards others. The consequence of such negligence is described as (ibtuliya bilhamm) "ابْتُلِيَ بِالْهَمِّ", which can be understood as falling into grief, anxiety, and distress.

To further understand the gravity of falling short in our actions, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Al-Isra, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (17:72)

And whoever is blind in this [life] will be blind in the Hereafter and more astray in way

This verse emphasizes the consequences of neglecting our spiritual obligations and remaining heedless of our purpose in this world. It warns us that those who fail to fulfill their responsibilities towards Allah and His creation will suffer the consequences not only in this life but also in the Hereafter.

The second part of the Hadith states,

Allah has nothing to do with him who spares nothing from his wealth in the name of Allah.

Here, the phrase (la hajata lillahi fiman laysa lillahi fi malihi wa nafsihi nasib)

لَا حَاجَةَ لِلَّهِ فِيمَنْ لَيْسَ لِلَّهِ فِي مَالِهِ وَ نَفْسِهِ نَصِيبٌ

highlights the importance of dedicating our wealth and resources in the name of Allah.

This part of the Hadith reminds us that our wealth and possessions are not truly ours; they are a trust from Allah. It is our duty to utilize them in ways that please Him and benefit others. When we withhold our wealth and do not spend it in the cause of Allah, we are distancing ourselves from His blessings and mercy.

In the Quran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (63:10)

And spend [in the way of Allah] from what We have provided you before death approaches one of you and he says, 'My Lord, if only You would delay me for a brief term so I would give charity and be among the righteous'

This verse emphasizes the importance of spending our wealth in the way of Allah before it is too late. It reminds us that our wealth is a means of purification and a test of our faith. By withholding our wealth and not utilizing it for the betterment of society, we are depriving ourselves of the opportunity to earn Allah's pleasure and blessings.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we can understand that falling short in our actions and neglecting our obligations towards Allah and His creation leads to grief and distress in this life and the Hereafter. Similarly, withholding our wealth and not utilizing it in the name of Allah distances us from His blessings and mercy. Therefore, it is essential for us as Muslims to strive towards fulfilling our obligations and dedicating our resources in the way of Allah, seeking His pleasure and the betterment of society.

May Allah (تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the understanding and motivation to fulfill our duties and utilize our resources in the best possible manner. May He guide us to be among those who strive for excellence in our actions and seek His pleasure in all aspects of our lives.