Hadith #7754

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 Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

مَنْ أهْمَلَ العَمَلَ بِطاعَةِ اللّهِ ظَلَمَ نَفْسَهُ۔

This can be translated as,

One who is heedless of acting in obedience to Allah has wronged himself.

Let us delve into the meaning of some important words in this Hadith. The word (ahmala) "أهْمَلَ" means to be negligent, careless, or heedless. It refers to a state of neglecting or disregarding something. (al-'amal) "العَمَلَ" means action or deed. (bi-ta'at) "بِطاعَةِ" means obedience, submission, or compliance. And (Allah) "اللّهِ" refers to the Almighty, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe.

To understand the enlightening message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Imran, verse 135:

And those who, when they commit an immorality or wrong themselves, remember Allah and seek forgiveness for their sins - and who can forgive sins except Allah? - and [who] do not persist in what they have done while they know.

This verse emphasizes the importance of acknowledging our mistakes and seeking forgiveness from Allah when we wrong ourselves. It highlights the significance of being conscious of our actions and their consequences. By neglecting to act in obedience to Allah, we are not only disregarding His commands but also harming ourselves in the process.

Another verse that complements the message of this Hadith is found in Surah Al-A'raf, verse 56:

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.

This verse reminds us of the responsibility we have as Muslims to uphold righteousness and avoid causing corruption in the world. By neglecting our duty to act in obedience to Allah, we risk contributing to the corruption and chaos that may prevail. Conversely, by fulfilling our obligations and seeking Allah's guidance, we can be among the doers of good who are close to His mercy.

Now, let us reflect on the enlightening message of this Hadith. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is reminding us that neglecting to act in obedience to Allah is not only a transgression against His commandments but also a form of self-harm. When we disregard our obligations as Muslims, we distance ourselves from the path of righteousness and expose ourselves to the consequences of our actions.

By being heedless of our duties, we risk falling into sinful behavior, neglecting our prayers, abandoning acts of charity, and disregarding the rights of others. This negligence not only harms our relationship with Allah but also damages our own spiritual well-being and moral character.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his profound knowledge and wisdom, reminds us of the importance of mindfulness and consciousness in our actions. He urges us to be vigilant in our obedience to Allah, to constantly strive for self-improvement, and to avoid the path of heedlessness and neglect.

In conclusion, this Hadith serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to be mindful of their actions and to never neglect their duty to act in obedience to Allah. By being conscious of our responsibilities and striving to fulfill them, we not only strengthen our relationship with our Creator but also safeguard our own well-being and spiritual growth. May Allah guide us all to be steadfast in our obedience and protect us from the pitfalls of heedlessness.