Hadith #4156

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the 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, "ألإصرارُ شيمَةُ الفُّجارِ۔" This can be translated into English as,

Persistence [in sinning] is the practice of the depraved.

Let us delve into the meaning of the key words in this Hadith. The word (israr) "إصرار" means persistence or insistence, while (shimah) "شيمة" refers to a distinguishing mark or characteristic. Lastly, (al-fujjar) "الفجار" refers to the depraved or wicked individuals who persist in committing sins.

To understand the wise message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us against persisting in sinful actions in several verses. For example, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:81), Allah says,

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 His creation. It emphasizes the need to avoid persisting in disobedience and turning away from the path of righteousness. Those who persist in sinning are akin to the depraved, as mentioned in the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ).

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:3), Allah says,

Prohibited to you are dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah, and [those animals] killed by strangling or by a violent blow or by a head-long fall or by the goring of horns, and those from which a wild animal has eaten, except what you [are able to] slaughter [before its death], and those which are sacrificed on stone altars, and [prohibited is] that you seek decision through divining arrows. That is grave disobedience.

This verse highlights the prohibition of certain actions and substances. It serves as a reminder that persisting in engaging in prohibited acts is a characteristic of the depraved. Such individuals disregard the boundaries set by Allah and continue to indulge in sinful behavior.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to reflect upon their actions and strive to avoid persisting in sinful behavior. It highlights the importance of repentance and seeking forgiveness from Allah. By acknowledging our mistakes and making a sincere effort to rectify them, we can distance ourselves from the path of the depraved and strive towards righteousness.

Persistence in sinning can have severe consequences in both this world and the Hereafter. It can lead to a hardening of the heart, a loss of spiritual connection, and a deterioration of moral character. Moreover, persisting in sinning can result in the accumulation of sins, which can weigh heavily on the scale of deeds on the Day of Judgment.

As Muslims, we should take this Hadith as a call to self-reflection and self-improvement. We should strive to break the cycle of persisting in sinful behavior and instead cultivate a habit of seeking forgiveness and repentance. By doing so, we can purify our souls, strengthen our relationship with Allah, and strive towards attaining His pleasure.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to avoid persisting in sinful behavior. It highlights the consequences of such persistence and emphasizes the importance of repentance and seeking forgiveness. By reflecting on the guidance of the Quran and implementing its teachings in our lives, we can strive towards righteousness and distance ourselves from the characteristics of the depraved. May Allah guide us all on the straight path and grant us the strength to overcome our shortcomings.