Hadith #10356

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

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he advises Muslims to occupy themselves with acts of obedience to Allah, to remember Allah with their tongues, and to have acceptance in their hearts towards what they love and hate. Let us delve deeper into the meanings of these words and explore their significance in light of the Quran.

The first part of the Hadith states,

Occupy yourselves with [acts of] obedience [to Allah].

The word used here for "occupy yourselves" is (ishghaloo) "اِشْغَلُوا", which emphasizes the importance of being fully engaged and absorbed in acts of obedience to Allah. This implies that Muslims should prioritize and dedicate their time and efforts towards fulfilling their religious obligations and performing good deeds.

The Quran supports this notion in several verses. For example, Allah says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:83),

And [recall] when We took the covenant from the Children of Israel, [enjoining upon them], 'Do not worship except Allah; and to parents do good and to relatives, orphans, and the needy. And speak to people good [words] and establish prayer and give zakah.' Then you turned away, except a few of you, and you were refusing.

This verse highlights the importance of fulfilling our obligations towards Allah and towards others. It reminds us that acts of worship, such as prayer and giving zakah, should not be neglected or taken lightly. By occupying ourselves with obedience to Allah, we strengthen our relationship with Him and fulfill our duties as Muslims.

The second part of the Hadith states,

and your tongues with the remembrance [of Allah].

The word used here for "remembrance" is (adh-dhikr) "الذِّكْرِ", which refers to the act of remembering and mentioning Allah. It encompasses reciting the Quran, praising Allah, and seeking His forgiveness.

The importance of remembrance of Allah is emphasized throughout the Quran. Allah says in Surah Al-A'raf (7:205),

And remember your Lord within yourself in humility and in fear without being apparent in speech - in the mornings and the evenings. And do not be among the heedless.

This verse encourages Muslims to remember Allah in their hearts, silently and sincerely, as an act of humility and reverence. By constantly remembering Allah, we keep our tongues engaged in His remembrance, which serves as a means of purifying our hearts and strengthening our connection with Him.

The third part of the Hadith states,

and your hearts with acceptance [of His will] in what you love and hate.

The word used here for "acceptance" is (ar-rida) "الرِّضا", which refers to being content and satisfied with the decree of Allah, whether it aligns with our desires or not. It entails having trust in Allah's wisdom and accepting His will with a peaceful heart.

The Quran provides numerous examples of individuals who demonstrated acceptance of Allah's will. Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) is a prime example. In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:128), Allah says,

Our Lord, and make us Muslims [in submission] to You and from our descendants a Muslim nation [in submission] to You. And show us our rites and accept our repentance. Indeed, You are the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful.

This verse illustrates Prophet Ibrahim's unwavering trust and acceptance of Allah's decree. He submitted himself and his descendants to Allah, acknowledging that true contentment lies in complete submission to the will of the Almighty.

Imam Ali's advice in this Hadith serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to prioritize acts of obedience to Allah, to constantly remember Him, and to accept His will with contentment. By doing so, we strengthen our faith, purify our hearts, and align our actions with the teachings of Islam. May Allah grant us the ability to implement these teachings in our lives and attain His pleasure.