Hadith #1559

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 and noble family, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his righteous companions.

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

لَقَدْ بُصِّرْتُمْ إنْ أبْصَرْتُمْ، واُسْمِعْتُمْ إنْ سَمِعْتُمْ، وهُديتُمْ إنِاهتَدَيْتُمْ۔

This Hadith can be translated as:

You are shown if you observe, made to hear if you listen, and guided if you seek guidance.

Let us delve into the deeper meanings of this profound Hadith in light of the Quran. The key words in this Hadith are (observe) "بُصِّرْتُمْ", (see) "أبْصَرْتُمْ", (listen) "اُسْمِعْتُمْ", (hear) "سَمِعْتُمْ", (guided) "هُديتُمْ", and (seek guidance) "اهتَدَيْتُمْ".

In the Quran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of observing and seeing the signs of His creation. In Surah Al-An'am, verse 103, Allah says,

Vision perceives Him not, but He perceives [all] vision; and He is the Subtle, the Acquainted.

This verse reminds us that although we cannot see Allah, He sees everything, and it is through our observation and contemplation of His signs that we can gain insight and understanding.

Similarly, the Quran emphasizes the importance of listening and hearing attentively. In Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 186, Allah says,

And when My servants ask you concerning Me, indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided.

This verse highlights the significance of actively listening to Allah's guidance and responding to His call.

Furthermore, the Quran repeatedly emphasizes the importance of seeking guidance. In Surah Al-Fatiha, we recite in every prayer,

Guide us to the straight path.

This verse reminds us that seeking guidance from Allah is essential for our spiritual journey. It is through sincere seeking and striving that we are guided to the straight path of righteousness and success.

Now, let us reflect on the impactful message of Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith. He reminds us that we are shown the truth if we observe it with open hearts and minds. This means that we should not be passive in our faith, but rather actively seek knowledge and understanding. By observing the signs of Allah's creation, studying the Quran, and reflecting on the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt, we can gain insight and clarity.

Imam Ali also emphasizes the importance of listening and hearing. In our journey towards guidance, we must listen attentively to the words of Allah and His messengers. This requires not only hearing the words but also understanding and internalizing their meanings. By actively listening to the guidance of Allah, we open ourselves to His mercy and blessings.

Lastly, Imam Ali highlights the importance of seeking guidance. This implies that guidance is not something that is bestowed upon us passively, but rather something that requires effort and intention. We must actively seek guidance through sincere supplication, seeking knowledge, and following the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt. By doing so, we align ourselves with the straight path and attain true guidance.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith reminds us of the importance of active engagement in our faith. We are encouraged to observe, listen, and seek guidance in order to attain true understanding and righteousness. By observing the signs of Allah's creation, listening attentively to His guidance, and actively seeking His guidance, we can navigate the path of righteousness and attain spiritual growth. May Allah guide us all and grant us the ability to observe, listen, and seek guidance in our journey towards Him.