Hadith #10763

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.

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

Woe to the sleeper, how great is his loss! His actions fall short and his reward is little.

This profound statement highlights the importance of being active and vigilant in one's pursuit of good deeds and righteousness.

Let us delve deeper into the meaning of this Hadith by examining the key words and their implications. The word (وَيْحَ) "woe" expresses a sense of regret and sorrow, emphasizing the magnitude of the loss incurred by the sleeper. It serves as a wake-up call, urging Muslims to reflect upon their actions and their consequences.

The term (النّائِمِ) "sleeper" refers not only to physical sleep but also to a state of heedlessness and negligence. It symbolizes a lack of awareness and engagement in the pursuit of righteous deeds. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns against falling into this state, as it leads to a significant loss in both the quantity and quality of one's actions.

The phrase (قَصُرَ عَمَلُهُ)

his actions fall short

highlights the deficiency and inadequacy of the sleeper's deeds. It implies that their efforts are insufficient and do not reach their full potential. This deficiency arises from a lack of intention, commitment, and sincerity in performing good deeds.

Furthermore, the Hadith states that (وقَلَّ أجْرُهُ)

his reward is little

This phrase emphasizes that the sleeper will receive a diminished reward for their actions due to their negligence and lack of effort. It serves as a reminder that the value and magnitude of our rewards in the Hereafter are directly proportional to the sincerity and dedication we invest in our actions.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for further guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Asr (103:1-3),

By time, indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.

This verse emphasizes the importance of actively engaging in righteous deeds and seeking guidance from one another.

Additionally, in Surah Al-Kahf (18:28), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns,

And keep yourself patient [by being] with those who call upon their Lord in the morning and the evening, seeking His countenance. And let not your eyes pass beyond them, desiring adornments of the worldly life, and do not obey one whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance and who follows his desire and whose affair is ever [in] neglect.

These verses highlight the importance of actively seeking righteousness and surrounding oneself with those who remind us of our duties towards Allah. They serve as a reminder that negligence and heedlessness can lead to loss and a diminished reward in the Hereafter.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to be vigilant and proactive in their pursuit of good deeds. It urges us to constantly evaluate our actions, intentions, and level of engagement in order to maximize our rewards in the Hereafter. By being aware of the consequences of negligence and striving to be actively engaged in righteous actions, we can avoid the regret and loss mentioned in the Hadith.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to be vigilant and proactive in our pursuit of righteousness, and may He bless us with abundant rewards in the Hereafter.