Hadith #977

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. Peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he states that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) has recorded our traces, known our actions, and ordained our death. Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this Hadith and explore its implications in light of the Quran.

Firstly, let us reflect upon the key words in this Hadith. The word (athar) "آثارَكُمْ" refers to our traces or footprints, symbolizing the actions and deeds that we leave behind in this world. It encompasses our words, actions, and intentions. The word (a'mal) "أعْمَالَكُمْ" refers to our actions, encompassing both the apparent and hidden deeds that we perform. Lastly, the word (ajal) "آجَالَكُمْ" refers to our appointed time of death, highlighting the certainty and inevitability of our mortality.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we must turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us in Surah Al-Qamar (54:52-53),

And everything they have done is in the written records. And every small and great [thing] is inscribed.

This verse emphasizes the concept of divine recording, affirming that every action, no matter how insignificant, is meticulously recorded by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Isra (17:13), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

And [for] every person We have imposed his fate upon his neck, and We will produce for him on the Day of Resurrection a record which he will encounter spread open.

This verse highlights the individual accountability of every person and the recording of their actions. It also emphasizes that on the Day of Resurrection, each individual will be confronted with their record, which will serve as a testimony of their deeds.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder of the divine knowledge and wisdom of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). He is fully aware of our actions, both apparent and hidden, and nothing escapes His knowledge. Our traces, whether good or bad, are preserved and will be presented to us on the Day of Judgment.

This Hadith also highlights the importance of self-reflection and accountability. It urges us to be conscious of our actions and the impact they have on our spiritual journey. Every word we utter, every action we perform, and every intention we harbor is being recorded. This awareness should motivate us to strive for righteousness and avoid sinful behavior.

Moreover, the mention of our appointed time of death in this Hadith serves as a reminder of the transient nature of this worldly life. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) has decreed a specific time for each individual to depart from this world. This realization should instill in us a sense of urgency to make the most of our time and prioritize our actions accordingly. It should also remind us to prepare for the inevitable meeting with our Creator.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder of Allah's (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) knowledge, wisdom, and justice. It emphasizes the recording of our actions and the certainty of our appointed time of death. This Hadith urges us to be mindful of our deeds, strive for righteousness, and reflect upon the transient nature of this world. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to live our lives in accordance with His guidance and grant us success in the hereafter.