Hadith #11248

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. Peace and blessings be upon Muhammad, his family, his companions, and the righteous servants of Allah.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he describes the characteristics of a servant who is beloved to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Let us delve into the exegesis of this Hadith and explore its deeper meanings in light of the Quran.

The Hadith begins with Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) stating that the most beloved servant to Allah is the one whom He aids in reforming his soul. This implies that Allah loves those who strive to purify themselves and seek self-improvement. It is a reminder that we should constantly strive to better ourselves and seek Allah's guidance in this journey of self-reformation.

The Imam further explains that this beloved servant feels sadness within himself and wears the attire of fear outwardly. This indicates that the servant is not complacent or heedless, but rather deeply aware of his own shortcomings and sins. He feels a sense of grief and remorse for any transgressions committed, and this sadness motivates him to seek forgiveness and repentance.

The attire of fear mentioned in the Hadith signifies that the servant is cautious and vigilant in his actions, always mindful of Allah's presence and accountability. This fear is not a paralyzing fear, but a fear that drives him to be conscious of his actions and strive to avoid anything that displeases Allah. It is a fear that leads to righteousness and taqwa (God-consciousness).

To further understand the significance of this fear and sadness, we can turn to the Quran. Allah says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:13),

O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.

This verse emphasizes that righteousness is the criterion of nobility in the sight of Allah. The servant described in the Hadith embodies this righteousness by acknowledging his flaws and striving to rectify them.

The Hadith continues with Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) stating that as a result of this servant's efforts, the lamp of guidance is illuminated in his heart. This signifies that through self-reflection, repentance, and seeking Allah's forgiveness, the servant attains a deep connection with Allah. His heart becomes enlightened with the light of guidance, leading him towards righteousness and piety.

Furthermore, the Imam mentions that this servant has prepared a hospitable reception for the day he will come upon. This refers to the Day of Judgment, where every individual will be held accountable for their actions. The servant, through his continuous self-reformation and fear of Allah, has prepared himself for this day by accumulating good deeds, seeking forgiveness for his sins, and striving to please Allah in all aspects of his life.

In Surah Al-Taghabun (64:9), Allah says,

The Day He will assemble you for the Day of Assembly - that is the Day of Deprivation. And whoever believes in Allah and does righteousness - He will remove from him his misdeeds and admit him to gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. That is the great attainment.

This verse highlights the importance of preparing for the Day of Judgment through faith and righteous deeds. The servant described in the Hadith is diligent in his preparations, ensuring that he will attain the great reward promised by Allah.

In conclusion, this Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the qualities that make a servant beloved to Allah. It emphasizes the importance of self-reformation, acknowledging our flaws, and striving to rectify them. It reminds us to be mindful of our actions, wearing the attire of fear and seeking Allah's guidance in all aspects of our lives. By doing so, we illuminate the lamp of guidance in our hearts and prepare ourselves for the Day of Judgment. May Allah grant us the ability to embody these qualities and be among His beloved servants.