Hadith #11159

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 purified progeny, and his noble companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of God-wariness and the various dimensions of its manifestation. Let us delve into the exegesis of this profound Hadith, exploring its key words and their meanings in light of the Quran.

The first important word in this Hadith is (taqiyyah) "تَقِيَّةَ", which is derived from the root word "وَقَيَّ" meaning "to protect" or "to guard against". In this context, it refers to the God-wariness or consciousness that one should have towards Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It is a state of being constantly aware of Allah's presence and striving to fulfill one's duties towards Him.

The next word is (shaghal) "شَغَلَ", which means "to preoccupy" or "to occupy". In this Hadith, it refers to preoccupying one's heart with reflection and contemplation. It highlights the importance of engaging in deep thought and introspection, pondering over the signs of Allah's creation and His divine guidance.

The word (awjafa) "أوْجَفَ" means

to have the remembrance [of Allah] on one's tongue

It signifies the constant remembrance of Allah through the recitation of His names, supplications, and the recitation of the Quran. This remembrance keeps one connected to their Creator and strengthens their spiritual bond.

Lastly, the word (qaddama) "قَدَّمَ" means "to advance" or "to prioritize". In the context of this Hadith, it refers to prioritizing fear of Allah and the Hereafter over worldly desires and temptations. It is about recognizing the consequences of our actions and striving to do good deeds out of fear for our own safety and salvation in the Hereafter.

To further understand the significance of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hashr (59:18):

O you who have believed, fear Allah. And let every soul look to what it has put forth for tomorrow - and fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do.

This verse emphasizes the importance of God-wariness and the need to constantly evaluate our actions and intentions. It reminds us to prioritize our relationship with Allah and to be mindful of the consequences of our deeds in the Hereafter.

Another relevant verse is found in Surah Al-Imran (3:191):

Who remember Allah while standing or sitting or [lying] on their sides and give thought to the creation of the heavens and the earth, [saying], 'Our Lord, You did not create this aimlessly; exalted are You [above such a thing]; then protect us from the punishment of the Fire.'

This verse highlights the significance of reflection and contemplation, as mentioned in the Hadith. It encourages us to ponder over the signs of Allah's creation and to recognize His wisdom and purpose behind it. This reflection leads to a deeper understanding of our Creator and strengthens our God-wariness.

In light of these Quranic verses, we can understand the wise message of Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith. It urges us to be conscious of Allah in every aspect of our lives, to preoccupy our hearts with reflection and contemplation, to constantly remember Allah on our tongues, and to prioritize fear of Allah and the Hereafter over worldly desires.

By embodying these qualities, we become individuals who are constantly aware of Allah's presence, who strive to fulfill our duties towards Him, and who are motivated by the desire for salvation in the Hereafter. This Hadith serves as a reminder for us to cultivate a deep and meaningful relationship with Allah, constantly seeking His pleasure and protection.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to embody the teachings of this Hadith and to attain true God-wariness in our lives. May He guide us on the path of righteousness and grant us success in this world and the Hereafter.