Hadith #532

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due 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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of our actions and efforts in determining our ultimate destination. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) compares the difficult place of ascension, referred to as "عَقَبَةً كَؤُوداً" in Arabic, to the challenges and trials we face in our lives.

The word (aqabah) "عَقَبَةً" refers to a steep and difficult path or obstacle. It symbolizes the challenges and struggles that we encounter on our journey towards Allah's pleasure. The word (ka'udan) "كَؤُوداً" means a narrow and confined space, emphasizing the difficulty and tightness of the situation.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states that in this difficult place of ascension, the one whose weight is lighter is in a better position than the one whose weight is heavier. This weight refers to the burden of sins and shortcomings that we carry. Those who have fewer sins and have striven to purify themselves will find it easier to navigate through the challenges and reach a higher spiritual station.

This concept is beautifully echoed in the Quran, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-A'raf (7:9):

Those whose scales are heavy [with good deeds] - it is they who are the successful.

This verse emphasizes the importance of our deeds and actions, as they will be weighed on the Day of Judgment. The lighter our scales are with sins, the better our position will be.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further states that the one who moves slowly in this difficult place of ascension is worse off than the one who moves swiftly. This highlights the significance of actively striving towards righteousness and not delaying our efforts. The one who is slow in their progress and lacks motivation will find themselves in a more unfavorable position compared to those who are diligent and swift in their pursuit of goodness.

The Quran also emphasizes the importance of hastening towards good deeds. In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:148), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

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

This verse encourages us to be proactive in performing good deeds and not to delay in our efforts.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) concludes the Hadith by stating that the landing in this difficult place of ascension will lead us to either Paradise or hell. This highlights the gravity of our actions and the consequences they hold. Our choices and efforts in this life will determine our ultimate destination in the Hereafter.

The Quran repeatedly reminds us of the consequences of our actions. In Surah Al-Imran (3:185), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained [his desire]. And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion.

This Hadith serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to be mindful of their actions and strive towards righteousness. It emphasizes the importance of purifying our souls, hastening towards good deeds, and being aware of the consequences of our choices. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength and guidance to navigate through the challenges of life and attain success in the Hereafter.