Hadith #288

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. Peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

Sometimes the hearts move forward and sometimes they move backward. When they move forward get them to perform the optionals (as well), but when they move backward keep them confined to obligatories only.

Let us first examine the key words in this Hadith. The word (qulub) "قُلُوبِ" refers to the hearts, which symbolize the spiritual state and inclination of a person. (iqbālan) "إقْبَالاً" means to move forward or incline towards something, while (idbāran) "إِدْبَاراً" means to move backward or turn away from something. (nawāfil) "نَوَافِلِ" refers to the optional acts of worship, and (farā'id) "فَرَائِضِ" refers to the obligatory acts of worship.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:7),

And know that among you is the Messenger of Allah. If he were to obey you in much of the matter, you would be in difficulty, but Allah has endeared to you the faith and has made it pleasing in your hearts and has made hateful to you disbelief, defiance and disobedience. Those are the [rightly] guided.

This verse highlights the importance of having a strong faith and a sincere heart. It emphasizes that the hearts of the believers should be inclined towards Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ), rather than being swayed by worldly desires or the opinions of others. When our hearts are inclined towards Allah, we are more likely to perform optional acts of worship, such as voluntary prayers, fasting, and charity, in addition to fulfilling our obligatory duties.

On the other hand, there may be times when our hearts become distracted or distant from the remembrance of Allah. This can happen due to various reasons, such as worldly distractions, sins, or spiritual weaknesses. During such times, it is important to focus on fulfilling our obligatory acts of worship, which are the foundation of our faith. By adhering strictly to the obligations, we can regain our spiritual strength and reconnect with Allah.

Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) also reminds us in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:45),

And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive [to Allah].

This verse emphasizes the importance of patience and prayer in times of difficulty. When our hearts are moving backward or facing challenges, we should turn to Allah in prayer and seek His guidance and support. By relying on Allah and being steadfast in our obligations, we can overcome the obstacles and regain our spiritual momentum.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us about the fluctuating nature of the human heart. It reminds us that our hearts may sometimes be inclined towards optional acts of worship, and during such times, we should seize the opportunity to perform them. However, there may also be times when our hearts move backward, and during those moments, we should focus on fulfilling our obligatory acts of worship. By maintaining a balance between the optional and obligatory acts of worship, we can strengthen our faith, purify our hearts, and strive towards attaining closeness to Allah. May Allah guide us all on the straight path and keep our hearts steadfast in His remembrance.