Hadith #4181

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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is a thought-provoking saying that highlights the attributes of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and the audacity of human beings in their disobedience towards Him. Let us delve into the exegesis of this Hadith, exploring its key words and their meanings in light of the Quran.

The first part of the Hadith states,

Exalted is Allah, the Mighty, [yet] how lenient is He!

The word (ta'ala) "تعالَى" is derived from the root word (ala) "عَلَى", which signifies elevation, greatness, and exaltation. It is used to emphasize the transcendence and superiority of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) over all creation. The term (min qawiyy) "مِنْ قَوِيّ" refers to the strength and power of Allah, highlighting His ability to do anything He wills. Despite His immense power, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) is described as (ma ahlamahu) "ما أحْلَمَهُ", which can be translated as

how lenient is He.

This phrase emphasizes the gentle and compassionate nature of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), who shows mercy and forgiveness to His creation.

The second part of the Hadith states,

And you are lowly and weak yet how bold you are in your disobedience to Him!

The word (tawadha'ta) "تَواضَعْتَ" is derived from the root word (wadha'a) "وَضَاعَ", which means to humble oneself or to lower oneself in rank or status. It highlights the humility and insignificance of human beings in comparison to the greatness of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). The term (min da'if) "مِنْ ضَعيف" refers to the weakness and vulnerability of human beings, emphasizing their limited capabilities and dependence on Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Despite this inherent weakness, human beings are described as (ma ajra'aka 'ala ma'asihi)

ما أجْرَأَكَ على مَعاصيهِ

which can be translated as

how bold you are in your disobedience to Him.

This phrase highlights the audacity and arrogance of human beings who dare to disobey Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) despite their inherent weakness and insignificance.

The Quran provides numerous verses that support the exegesis of this Hadith. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes His greatness, power, and mercy, while also highlighting the weakness and audacity of human beings. For example, in Surah Al-Mulk (67:1-2), Allah says,

Blessed is He in whose hand is the dominion, and He is over all things competent - [He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed.

This verse highlights the power and authority of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) over all creation, while also reminding us of our purpose in this world and the consequences of our actions.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Isra (17:37), Allah says,

And do not walk upon the earth exultantly. Indeed, you will never tear the earth [apart], and you will never reach the mountains in height.

This verse serves as a reminder of our limited capabilities and the need for humility in our interactions with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and His creation. It highlights the insignificance of human beings in the grand scheme of things and warns against arrogance and disobedience.

The exegesis of this Hadith serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims. It highlights the greatness and mercy of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), who despite His immense power, shows leniency and forgiveness to His creation. It also serves as a warning against the audacity and arrogance of human beings, who dare to disobey Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) despite their inherent weakness and insignificance. This Hadith calls upon Muslims to reflect upon their actions and strive for humility, obedience, and gratitude towards Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all to the straight path and grant us the humility and obedience to Him that befits our status as His servants. May we constantly seek His forgiveness and mercy, and may we strive to emulate the noble qualities of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), particularly his profound knowledge and understanding of Allah's attributes.