Hadith #1604

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

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states, "البُكاءُ سَجِيَّةُ المُشْفِقينَ" which translates to

Weeping is the trait of the soft-hearted [and those who fear Allah].

This impactful saying of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the significance of shedding tears as an expression of deep emotions and piety.

Let us delve into the meaning of the key words in this Hadith. "البُكاءُ" refers to weeping or shedding tears, while "سَجِيَّةُ" means a trait or characteristic. "المُشْفِقينَ" refers to those who fear Allah or possess a sense of awe and reverence towards Him.

The act of weeping is not merely a physical manifestation of sadness; it is a reflection of the inner state of the heart. It signifies a deep emotional connection with Allah and a profound sense of humility and submission. Weeping is an expression of the soft-heartedness that arises from a sincere and genuine fear of Allah's displeasure.

The Quran provides us with numerous examples of the significance of weeping and its connection to piety. In Surah Al-Imran (3:39), we learn about the Prophet Zakariya (peace be upon him) who supplicated to Allah for a righteous child, and when his prayer was answered, he expressed his gratitude by weeping:

So the angels called him while he was standing in prayer in the chamber, 'Indeed, Allah gives you good tidings of John, confirming a word from Allah and [who will be] honorable, abstaining [from women], and a prophet from among the righteous.' He said, 'My Lord, how will I have a boy when I have reached old age and my wife is barren?' The angel said, 'Such is Allah; He does what He wills.' He said, 'My Lord, make for me a sign.' He said, 'Your sign is that you will not speak to the people for three nights, [being] sound.' So he came out to his people from the prayer chamber and signaled to them to exalt [Allah] in the morning and afternoon. [Allah] said, 'O John, take the Scripture with determination.' And We gave him judgement [while yet] a boy and affection from Us and purity, and he was fearing of Allah. And dutiful to his parents, and he was not a disobedient tyrant. And peace be upon him the day he was born and the day he dies and the day he is raised alive.

Here, we see that the birth of Prophet John (peace be upon him) was a miraculous event, and upon receiving this news, Prophet Zakariya (peace be upon him) was overcome with emotions and wept. His tears were a manifestation of his gratitude, humility, and fear of Allah's power and mercy.

Similarly, in Surah Al-Hajj (22:77), Allah describes the state of the believers during their prostration in prayer:

O you who have believed, bow and prostrate and worship your Lord and do good - that you may succeed. And strive for Allah with the striving due to Him. He has chosen you and has not placed upon you in the religion any difficulty. [It is] the religion of your father, Abraham. Allah named you 'Muslims' before [in former scriptures] and in this [revelation] that the Messenger may be a witness over you and you may be witnesses over the people. So establish prayer and give zakah and hold fast to Allah. He is your protector; and excellent is the protector, and excellent is the helper.

During the prostration, when a believer is closest to Allah, it is not uncommon for tears to flow as a result of the overwhelming sense of awe, gratitude, and humility. These tears are a testament to the deep connection and fear of Allah that resides within the hearts of the believers.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes that weeping is not a sign of weakness, but rather a characteristic of those who possess a soft heart and fear Allah. It is a reflection of their sincerity, humility, and their recognition of their own shortcomings and dependence on Allah's mercy.

Weeping can serve as a motivation for self-reflection and repentance, as it reminds us of our vulnerability and the need for Allah's forgiveness and guidance. It can also inspire empathy and compassion towards others, as it allows us to connect with the pain and suffering of those around us.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the significance of weeping as a trait of the soft-hearted and those who fear Allah. It is a profound expression of deep emotions, humility, and submission to the will of Allah. The Quran provides us with examples of the importance of weeping as a means of expressing gratitude, seeking forgiveness, and connecting with Allah on a profound level. May we strive to cultivate soft hearts and fear Allah, allowing our tears to be a source of spiritual growth and closeness to our Creator.