Hadith #11161

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his purified progeny, and his noble companions.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he advises the believers to be conscious of their duty towards Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and to adopt a level of God-wariness that is characterized by certain qualities. Let us delve into the exegesis of this Hadith and explore its meanings in light of the Quran.

The first important word in this Hadith is (taqiyyah) "تَقِيَّةَ", which refers to the God-wariness or piety that one should possess. It is a state of being conscious of Allah's presence and being cautious in one's actions to avoid displeasing Him. This concept is emphasized in the Quran in various verses, such as in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 197, where Allah says,

And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is taqwa. So fear Me, O you of understanding.

Here, taqwa is described as the best provision for the journey of life, highlighting its significance in the eyes of Allah.

The second important word is (shammara) "شَمَّرَ", which means to tuck up one's clothes in preparation for action. This metaphorical expression signifies the readiness and eagerness to fulfill the commandments of Allah. It reflects the idea of being fully engaged and committed to carrying out one's responsibilities as a servant of Allah. In the Quran, we find a similar concept in Surah Al-A'raf, verse 56, where Allah says,

And cause not corruption upon the earth after its reformation. And invoke Him in fear and aspiration. Indeed, the mercy of Allah is near to the doers of good.

Here, the believers are encouraged to invoke Allah with fear and aspiration, indicating the importance of being proactive and diligent in their worship.

The third word is (tashmeeran) "تَشْمِيرًا", which means to make great effort or exert oneself. This term emphasizes the need for striving and exerting one's utmost effort in the path of Allah. It signifies the willingness to go above and beyond in fulfilling one's duties and responsibilities. In the Quran, Allah says in Surah Al-Asr,

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.

This verse highlights the importance of righteous actions and striving for the truth, which aligns with the concept of tashmeeran.

The fourth word is (akmasha) "أَكْمَشَ", which means to act quickly or seize the opportunity. It denotes the sense of urgency and seizing the moment to perform good deeds and seek nearness to Allah. This concept is beautifully illustrated in the Quran in Surah Al-Hadid, verse 21, where Allah says,

Race toward forgiveness from your Lord and a Garden whose width is like the width of the heavens and earth, prepared for those who believed in Allah and His messengers.

This verse encourages believers to hasten in seeking forgiveness and striving for paradise, emphasizing the importance of not delaying in our pursuit of righteousness.

The final word is (mahal) "مَهَل", which refers to a short period of time. It signifies the limited time that we have in this world and the urgency to make the most of it in fulfilling our duties towards Allah. In the Quran, Allah reminds us in Surah Al-Asr,

By time, indeed, mankind is in loss.

This verse serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of time and the need to utilize it wisely for the sake of our eternal salvation.

In light of these Quranic verses, we can understand the beautiful message conveyed by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in this Hadith. He urges the believers to be conscious of their duty towards Allah and to adopt a level of God-wariness that is characterized by readiness, exertion, quick action, and a sense of urgency. By tucking up our metaphorical clothes, making great effort, acting quickly, and recognizing the shortness of time, we can strive to fulfill our responsibilities as servants of Allah and seek His pleasure.

This Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to be proactive in their worship, to seize every opportunity to do good, and to constantly strive for self-improvement. It encourages us to reflect on the brevity of life and the importance of utilizing our time wisely in the pursuit of righteousness. May Allah grant us the ability to embody the teachings of this Hadith and to be among those who are truly conscious of their duty towards Him.