Hadith #4864

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

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

مَنْ أسْرَعَ المَسيرَ أدْرَكَ المَقيلَ۔

This Hadith can be translated as,

One who hastens his pace arrives at the place of rest [and repose].

Let us delve into the profound meanings of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (asra'a) "أسْرَعَ" in the Hadith means to hasten or accelerate. It implies moving swiftly and with determination towards a goal. The word (al-maseer) "المَسيرَ" refers to the journey or the path that one undertakes. And (al-maqeel) "المَقيلَ" signifies the destination or the place of rest and repose.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran. In Surah Al-Mu'minun, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 3:133)

And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a garden as wide as the heavens and earth, prepared for the righteous.

This verse emphasizes the importance of hastening towards forgiveness and Paradise, which are the ultimate destinations for the believers.

Similarly, in Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states, (Quran 2:148)

So race to [all that is] good. To Allah is your return all together, and He will [then] inform you concerning that over which you used to differ.

This verse encourages Muslims to compete in doing good deeds and striving towards righteousness.

Now, let us reflect on the exegesis of the Hadith itself. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is teaching us the importance of being proactive and diligent in our journey towards our ultimate destination, which is the place of rest and repose in the Hereafter. By hastening our pace, we are more likely to reach our desired goal.

This Hadith serves as a reminder that life is a journey, and we must make the most of our time in this world to strive for righteousness and seek closeness to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Just as a traveler who walks swiftly reaches his destination sooner, a believer who is proactive in performing good deeds and seeking forgiveness will attain the pleasure of Allah and the eternal bliss of Paradise.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, is guiding us to prioritize our spiritual journey and not waste time in worldly distractions. By hastening our pace in performing acts of worship, seeking knowledge, and helping others, we can maximize our potential for growth and attain the ultimate success in the Hereafter.

This Hadith also reminds us of the consequences of procrastination and laziness. If we delay our efforts in seeking righteousness and neglect our spiritual obligations, we risk falling behind and missing out on the rewards and blessings that await us. Therefore, it is crucial for us to be proactive and seize every opportunity to draw closer to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of hastening our pace in our spiritual journey towards the place of rest and repose in the Hereafter. By being proactive, diligent, and focused on our ultimate goal, we can attain the pleasure of Allah and the eternal bliss of Paradise. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to hasten our pace towards righteousness and bless us with success in this world and the Hereafter.