Hadith #4201

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 pure progeny, and his righteous companions.

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

مَنْ أصَرَّ على ذَنْبِهِ اجْتَرى على سَخَطِ رَبِّهِ۔

This can be translated as,

One who is persistent in his sin shows audacity in front of the wrath of his Lord.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this enlightening saying of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and explore its significance in light of the Quran.

The word (asarra) "أصَرَّ" in the Hadith refers to persistence or insistence. It implies a continuous and unyielding commitment to a particular action or behavior. In the context of the Hadith, it refers to persisting in committing sins despite knowing their wrongfulness and the displeasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

The word (dhanbihi) "ذَنْبِهِ" means one's sin or wrongdoing. It encompasses all actions that go against the commandments of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and His prescribed way of life. It includes both major and minor sins.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns that persisting in one's sins leads to (ijtiraa) "اجْتَرَاء", which can be understood as audacity or boldness. It signifies a sense of fearlessness or disregard for the consequences of one's actions. It is an attitude of insolence and defiance towards the wrath of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

The phrase (sakhathi Rabbih) "سَخَطِ رَبِّهِ" refers to the wrath or anger of the Lord. It highlights the displeasure and punishment that awaits those who persist in their sins. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) is the Most Just and the Most Merciful, but He also holds the power to punish those who continuously transgress His boundaries.

To understand the gravity of persisting in sin and the audacity it shows towards the wrath of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), let us turn to the Quran for guidance.

Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:81),

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 ayah highlights the disobedience of the Children of Israel, who persisted in their sins despite being given clear commandments by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Their audacity in disregarding the covenant with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) led to their downfall and punishment.

Another relevant ayah is found in Surah Al-Mu'minun (23:96), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Repel, by [means of] what is best, [their] evil. We are most knowing of what they describe.

This verse advises the believers to respond to evil with goodness and to repel it in the best possible manner. It emphasizes the importance of avoiding persistence in sin and instead seeking forgiveness and rectification.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder to Muslims of the consequences of persisting in sin. It warns against the audacity and insolence displayed by those who continue to transgress the boundaries set by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It urges us to reflect on our actions and seek repentance and forgiveness from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) for our wrongdoings.

As Muslims, we should strive to be conscious of our sins and make sincere efforts to rectify our behavior. We should remember that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) is the Most Merciful and Forgiving, but we should not take His forgiveness for granted by persisting in our sins. Let us seek His guidance and mercy, and strive to avoid audacity in front of His wrath. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength and wisdom to overcome our sins and seek His pleasure.