Hadith #964

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, and his noble companions.

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

كُلُّ باطِن عندَ اللّه جَلّتْ آلاؤُهُ ظاهرٌ۔

This can be translated as,

Every hidden thing is apparent for Allah, exalted are His bounties.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this beautiful Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in light of the Quran. The word (batin) "باطِن" refers to the hidden or inner aspect of something, while (zahir) "ظاهر" means the apparent or outward aspect. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is highlighting the fact that nothing is hidden from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), and that even the most concealed matters are fully known to Him.

This concept is beautifully echoed in the Quran, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes His all-encompassing knowledge. In Surah Al-An'am, verse 59, Allah says, (6:59)

And with Him are the keys of the unseen; none knows them except Him. And He knows what is on the land and in the sea. Not a leaf falls but that He knows it. And no grain is there within the darknesses of the earth and no moist or dry [thing] but that it is [written] in a clear record.

This verse affirms that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) possesses knowledge of the unseen, and that nothing escapes His awareness. Every hidden detail, no matter how minute or concealed, is known to Him. This includes the innermost thoughts and intentions of every individual, as Allah says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 284, (2:284)

To Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Whether you show what is within yourselves or conceal it, Allah will bring you to account for it. Then He will forgive whom He wills and punish whom He wills, and Allah is over all things competent.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder to Muslims that they should be mindful of their actions, both in public and in private, as nothing is hidden from Allah. This understanding should motivate us to strive for righteousness and sincerity in all aspects of our lives. We should remember that our innermost thoughts, intentions, and actions are all known to Allah, and we will be held accountable for them.

This Hadith also has profound consequences for our understanding of Allah's justice and mercy. Since Allah is fully aware of every hidden aspect, He is able to reward or punish individuals based on their true intentions and actions. This ensures that justice is served, as Allah's judgment is not solely based on outward appearances, but on the reality of a person's character and deeds.

Furthermore, this Hadith reminds us of the immense blessings and favors bestowed upon us by Allah (تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Even though some of these blessings may be hidden from our perception, they are fully apparent to Allah. This should instill in us a sense of gratitude and humility, as we recognize that every good thing in our lives is a manifestation of Allah's generosity and grace.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder of Allah's all-encompassing knowledge and His ability to see through the hidden aspects of our lives. It calls upon Muslims to be conscious of their actions, knowing that nothing is hidden from Allah. It also highlights the importance of sincerity and righteousness, as Allah's judgment is based on the reality of our intentions and actions. May we strive to live our lives in accordance with this profound understanding, seeking Allah's pleasure and guidance in all that we do.