Hadith #9461

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

In this profound hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to fear Allah with a level of consciousness and devotion that is comparable to someone who is physically exhausted from fear, deprived of sleep due to their night worship, and constantly thirsty due to their hope of attaining nearness to Allah. Let us delve deeper into the meanings of the key words in this hadith and explore their significance in light of the Quran.

The word (taqiyyah) "تَقِيَّةَ" in this hadith refers to the fear of Allah, a fear that is accompanied by a deep sense of consciousness and mindfulness. It is not a fear that paralyzes us, but rather a fear that motivates us to strive for righteousness and avoid wrongdoing. This fear is rooted in our love for Allah and our desire to please Him, and it leads us to constantly evaluate our actions and intentions.

The phrase (man ansaba al-khawfu badanahu)

مَنْ أنْصَبَ الخَوْفُ بَدَنَهُ

describes the intensity of this fear. It portrays a person whose body has become fatigued and exhausted due to the overwhelming fear of Allah. This imagery emphasizes the magnitude of the fear that should be present in our hearts. It is a fear that permeates our entire being, affecting our thoughts, actions, and even our physical state.

The phrase (wa asharat-tahajjudu ghiraara nawmihi)

وأسْهَرَ التَّهَجُّدُ غِرارَ نَوْمِهِ

highlights the importance of night worship and the sacrifice of sleep in our pursuit of nearness to Allah. It signifies the devotion and dedication required to engage in the night prayer, which is a time of solitude and connection with our Creator. By sacrificing our sleep and spending the night in worship, we demonstrate our commitment to seeking closeness to Allah and our willingness to prioritize our spiritual growth.

The phrase (wa athma'a ar-rajā'u hawājira yawmih)

وأظْمَأَ الرَّجاءُ هَواجِرَ يَوْمِهِ

draws attention to the thirst of hope that drives us to strive for the pleasure of Allah. It symbolizes the intense longing and yearning for the rewards and blessings that await us in the hereafter. This thirst for hope motivates us to persevere through the challenges and difficulties of life, knowing that our efforts are not in vain and that our ultimate reward lies with Allah.

To further understand the significance of this hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah says in Surah Al-Imran (3:102),

O you who have believed, fear Allah as He should be feared and do not die except as Muslims [in submission to Him].

This verse emphasizes the importance of fearing Allah in the manner prescribed by Him. It reminds us that our fear should be accompanied by sincere submission and obedience to His commands.

In Surah Al-Ma'arij (70:19-23), Allah describes the qualities of the righteous believers who will be rewarded in the Hereafter. He says,

Indeed, the righteous will be in gardens and springs, accepting what their Lord has given them. Indeed, they were before that doers of good. They used to sleep but little of the night, and in the hours before dawn they would ask forgiveness.

These verses echo the message of the hadith, emphasizing the importance of night worship and seeking forgiveness from Allah.

The hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for us as Muslims. It urges us to cultivate a deep sense of fear and consciousness of Allah in our hearts, to sacrifice our sleep for night worship, and to maintain a constant thirst for the rewards and blessings of the Hereafter. By embodying these qualities, we can strive towards a higher level of spirituality and attain nearness to Allah. May Allah grant us the ability to implement these teachings in our lives and may He accept our efforts.