Hadith #6746

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.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

One who is cognizant of Allah, the Glorified, will never become wretched.

This beautiful Hadith emphasizes the importance of recognizing and being aware of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in our lives. Let us delve deeper into the words of this Hadith and explore its implications in light of the Quran.

The key word in this Hadith is (arafa) "عَرَفَ", which means to know, recognize, or be cognizant of. It implies a deep understanding and awareness of Allah's existence, attributes, and commands. This knowledge is not merely intellectual, but it encompasses a spiritual connection and a profound realization of Allah's presence in every aspect of our lives.

To support the significance of being cognizant of Allah, the Glorified, the Quran provides us with numerous verses. In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:165), Allah says,

And [yet], among the people are those who take other than Allah as equals [to Him]. They love them as they [should] love Allah. But those who believe are stronger in love for Allah.

This verse highlights the importance of recognizing Allah as the ultimate source of love and devotion. When we truly know Allah, our love for Him becomes unmatched, and we do not seek fulfillment in anything or anyone else.

Another verse that emphasizes the consequences of recognizing Allah is found in Surah Al-Anfal (8:29), where Allah says,

O you who have believed, if you fear Allah, He will grant you a criterion and will remove from you your misdeeds and forgive you. And Allah is the possessor of great bounty.

This verse assures us that when we are aware of Allah's presence and fear Him, He will guide us, protect us from wrongdoing, and bestow His forgiveness upon us. Our cognizance of Allah leads to His mercy and blessings.

Imam Ali's statement also implies that one who truly knows Allah will never become wretched. This means that when we recognize Allah's greatness, we are filled with contentment, peace, and happiness. We understand that our ultimate success lies in pleasing Allah and following His guidance. In Surah Yunus (10:62-63), Allah says,

No doubt! Verily, the friends of Allah have no fear, nor shall they grieve. Those who believed and were fearing Allah.

This verse assures us that those who have a deep connection with Allah, who truly know Him, will be free from fear and grief. Their hearts are filled with tranquility and assurance.

Furthermore, recognizing Allah's presence in our lives motivates us to strive for righteousness and avoid sinful actions. In Surah Al-Hashr (59:18-19), Allah says,

O you who have believed, fear Allah. And let every soul look to what it has put forth for tomorrow - and fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do. And be not like those who forgot Allah, so He made them forget themselves. Those are the defiantly disobedient.

This verse reminds us that our awareness of Allah's presence should guide our actions and decisions. When we forget Allah, we lose sight of our purpose and become prone to disobedience. However, when we truly know Allah, we remain steadfast in our devotion and strive to please Him.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that recognizing Allah, the Glorified, is the key to eternal success and happiness. It is not enough to have superficial knowledge; rather, we must strive to develop a deep understanding and connection with our Creator. This recognition of Allah's presence in our lives motivates us to strive for righteousness, seek His forgiveness, and avoid sinful actions. May Allah grant us the ability to truly know Him and may this knowledge bring us closer to Him and lead us to eternal bliss.