Hadith #4302

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, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises Aba Dharr, a companion of the Prophet (ﷺ), on how to deal with anger and the fear of people. Let us delve into the exegesis of this hadith and explore its profound meanings in light of the Quran.

The Imam begins by addressing Aba Dharr and acknowledging his anger for the sake of Allah. This highlights the importance of righteous anger, which is directed towards upholding the truth and defending the principles of Islam. The Imam advises Aba Dharr to have hope in Allah, the One for whom he got angry. This reminds us of the Quranic verse in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:15), where Allah says,

Indeed, the believers are those who believe 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 Imam then draws attention to the fear that people had of Aba Dharr in matters concerning their worldly affairs, while he feared them for the sake of his faith. This highlights the importance of prioritizing our faith over worldly matters. The Quran repeatedly emphasizes the need to prioritize our relationship with Allah over worldly attachments. In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:286), Allah says,

Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear.

This verse reminds us that our ultimate fear and concern should be for our faith and the pleasure of Allah.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises Aba Dharr to leave to the people those things that they fear him for, meaning the worldly matters that they seek his assistance in. This teaches us the importance of not becoming attached to worldly possessions or seeking power and influence for personal gain. The Quranic verse in Surah Al-Isra (17:80) reminds us,

And say: My Lord! Cause me to come in with a firm incoming and to go out with a firm outgoing. And give me from Thy presence a sustaining Power.

The Imam further advises Aba Dharr to distance himself from those things that he fears the people for, meaning the matters related to his faith and the principles of Islam. This highlights the importance of protecting our faith and not compromising our beliefs for the sake of worldly gains. The Quranic verse in Surah Al-Kahf (18:28) reminds us,

And keep yourself patient [by being] with those who call upon their Lord in the morning and the evening, seeking His countenance. And let not your eyes pass beyond them, desiring adornments of the worldly life, and do not obey one whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance and who follows his desire and whose affair is ever [in] neglect.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) then highlights the dependency of people on the very things that he dissuades them from, and his own independence from the things they deny him. This serves as a reminder that our true reliance should be on Allah alone, and not on the material possessions or worldly desires that people may offer us. The Quranic verse in Surah Al-Anfal (8:24) reminds us,

O you who have believed, respond to Allah and to the Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you life. And know that Allah intervenes between a man and his heart and that to Him you will be gathered.

Finally, the Imam emphasizes that if one were to prioritize the fear of Allah and strive to please Him, even if all the resources of the heavens and the earth were closed to them, Allah would open a way for them. This highlights the limitless power and mercy of Allah, who can provide for His servants in unimaginable ways. The Quranic verse in Surah At-Talaq (65:2-3) reminds us,

And whoever fears Allah - He will make for him a way out. And will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allah - then He is sufficient for him.

In conclusion, this hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) provides profound guidance on how to deal with anger and the fear of people. It reminds us to prioritize our faith over worldly matters, to rely on Allah alone, and to strive for His pleasure. By following the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and the guidance of the Quran, we can navigate through the challenges of life with wisdom and steadfastness. May Allah grant us the ability to implement these teachings in our lives and attain His pleasure.