Hadith #7840

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.

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

The Hour has drawn near with its quakes and it has settled down with its chest on the ground.

Let us delve into the exegesis of this beautiful Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (Hour) "ساعة" in this Hadith refers to the Day of Judgment, the Day when all of humanity will be held accountable for their actions. It is a day of great magnitude and significance, as it marks the end of this worldly life and the beginning of the eternal life hereafter. The word (has drawn near) "أشرفت" signifies that the Day of Judgment is approaching closer and closer, and its occurrence is imminent.

The Hadith further mentions that the Hour has drawn near with its (quakes) "زلازل". The term "زلازل" refers to the earthquakes and tremors that will occur as signs of the approaching Day of Judgment. These earthquakes will be of such intensity and magnitude that they will shake the very foundations of the earth, causing widespread destruction and chaos. This is in line with the Quranic verse in Surah Al-Zalzalah (99:1-2), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

When the earth is shaken with its [final] earthquake. And the earth discharges its burdens.

The Hadith also states that the Hour has settled down with its (chest on the ground) "كلاكل". The term "كلاكل" refers to the settling down and stabilization of the Hour, as if it has firmly planted itself on the earth. This signifies that once the Day of Judgment arrives, it will not be delayed or postponed, but rather it will occur with certainty and finality. This is in accordance with the Quranic verse in Surah Al-Hajj (22:47), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And they urge you to hasten the punishment. But Allah will never fail in His promise. And indeed, a day with your Lord is like a thousand years of those which you count.

The exegesis of this Hadith highlights the certainty and nearness of the Day of Judgment. It serves as a reminder to Muslims that they should always be prepared for the inevitable return to their Lord. The earthquakes and tremors mentioned in the Hadith are a warning sign for humanity to reflect upon their actions and seek forgiveness from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). These natural disasters serve as a wake-up call, urging individuals to turn towards righteousness and abandon sinful behavior.

Furthermore, the Hadith emphasizes the importance of recognizing the transitory nature of this worldly life. It reminds Muslims that the Day of Judgment is not a distant event, but rather it is drawing near with every passing moment. This realization should motivate believers to prioritize their actions and strive for excellence in their worship and conduct. It should inspire them to seek knowledge, engage in acts of charity, and maintain strong ties of kinship and brotherhood.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder of the certainty and nearness of the Day of Judgment. It highlights the earthquakes and tremors as signs of its approaching arrival, and the settling down of the Hour as an indication of its firm establishment. Muslims are urged to reflect upon their actions, seek forgiveness, and strive for righteousness in anticipation of this inevitable event. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to prepare for the Day of Judgment and grant us success in the hereafter.