Hadith #8065

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,

مَنِ اغْتَّرَ بِحالِهِ قَصَّرَ عَنِ احْتِيالِهِ۔

This can be translated as,

One who is deluded by his condition, reduces his efforts.

Let us delve into the meaning of the key words in this Hadith. The word (ightar) "اغْتَّرَ" comes from the root word (gharra) "غَرَّ", which means to be deceived or deluded. It refers to a state of being fooled by one's own circumstances or condition. The word (halihi) "حالِهِ" refers to one's current state or situation. The term (qassara) "قَصَّرَ" means to shorten or reduce, and (ihtiyalihi) "احْتِيالِهِ" refers to one's efforts or endeavors.

To understand the impactful message of this Hadith, we can 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 reminds us to be mindful of our actions and to constantly evaluate our efforts. It warns against being complacent or deluded by our current circumstances, as this can lead to a decrease in our efforts. Just as the Hadith advises us not to be deceived by our condition, the Quran emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and accountability.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Asr (103:1-3), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

By time, indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.

These verses highlight the importance of striving and making efforts in this temporary world. They remind us that time is fleeting and that we must not be deceived by our current state. Instead, we should focus on faith, righteous deeds, and encouraging one another towards truth and patience.

Now, let us reflect on the wise message of Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith. It serves as a reminder for Muslims to not be complacent or satisfied with their current state. It warns against being deceived by our circumstances, whether they are favorable or unfavorable.

If one becomes deluded by their condition, they may become negligent in their efforts to improve themselves and their relationship with Allah. They may become content with their current level of faith, neglecting the need for continuous growth and improvement. This can lead to a stagnation in their spiritual journey and a decrease in their dedication to worship and righteous deeds.

For example, if a person is financially stable, they may become complacent and neglect their obligation to give charity and help those in need. Similarly, if a person is facing difficulties and hardships, they may become disheartened and lose motivation to strive for betterment.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a wake-up call for Muslims to constantly evaluate their efforts and not be deceived by their condition. It encourages us to strive for excellence in all aspects of our lives, be it in our worship, relationships, or personal growth.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the importance of not being deluded by our condition and reducing our efforts. It urges us to continuously evaluate ourselves, strive for improvement, and not become complacent in our faith and deeds. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to constantly strive for excellence and never be deceived by our circumstances.