Hadith #4121

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 noble companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns us about the consequences of being preoccupied with the remembrance of people rather than the remembrance of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Let us delve into the deeper meanings of this wise utterance in light of the Quran.

The word (ishtaghal) "اشتَغَلَ" in the Hadith refers to being engrossed or preoccupied with something. In this context, it signifies being overly concerned with the opinions, praises, or criticisms of others. This can manifest in various ways, such as seeking validation, popularity, or reputation among people, rather than seeking the pleasure and remembrance of Allah.

The phrase (dhikr al-nas) "ذِكْرِ النّاسِ" in the Hadith refers to the remembrance or mention of people. It implies being excessively involved in worldly affairs, gossip, or idle talk about others, which divert our attention from the remembrance of Allah.

To understand the gravity of this warning, we turn to the Quran, where Allah emphasizes the importance of remembering Him and warns against being distracted by worldly matters. In Surah Al-Jumu'ah (62:9), Allah says,

O you who have believed, when [the adhan] is called for the prayer on the day of Jumu'ah [Friday], then proceed to the remembrance of Allah and leave trade. That is better for you, if you only knew.

This verse highlights the significance of prioritizing the remembrance of Allah over worldly pursuits, even to the extent of leaving trade. It reminds us that engaging in the remembrance of Allah brings greater benefit and blessings in this life and the hereafter.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Ankabut (29:45), Allah states,

Recite what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater. And Allah knows that which you do.

This verse emphasizes the superiority of the remembrance of Allah over all other actions. It highlights how engaging in the remembrance of Allah through recitation of the Quran and establishing prayer helps in restraining oneself from immoral and wrongful acts. It further emphasizes that Allah is fully aware of our actions and intentions.

Returning to the Hadith, we understand that when a person becomes excessively preoccupied with the opinions and remembrance of people, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) cuts them off from His remembrance. This serves as a warning and a reminder that neglecting the remembrance of Allah for the sake of seeking validation from people leads to spiritual deprivation and distance from Allah's mercy.

When we prioritize the opinions and remembrance of people over the remembrance of Allah, we become susceptible to various negative consequences. Firstly, our hearts become attached to the fleeting and temporary, rather than the eternal and everlasting. This attachment to worldly matters can lead to anxiety, stress, and dissatisfaction, as we are constantly seeking validation and approval from others.

Secondly, excessive preoccupation with the opinions of people can lead to hypocrisy. We may act differently in front of others, trying to please them, while neglecting our true selves and our relationship with Allah. This hypocrisy distances us from the sincerity and authenticity that is required in our worship and devotion.

Thirdly, being engrossed in the remembrance of people can hinder our spiritual growth and development. It diverts our attention from the remembrance of Allah, which is the key to attaining tranquility, contentment, and closeness to Him. When we prioritize the opinions of people, we lose sight of our ultimate purpose in life, which is to worship and seek the pleasure of Allah alone.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to prioritize the remembrance of Allah over the remembrance of people. It warns us about the consequences of being excessively preoccupied with seeking validation and approval from others, which can lead to spiritual deprivation and distance from Allah's mercy. By focusing on the remembrance of Allah and aligning our actions with His pleasure, we can attain true peace, contentment, and success in this life and the hereafter. May Allah guide us all to prioritize His remembrance and protect us from being cut off from His mercy.