Hadith #6809

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 pure progeny, and his noble companions.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he advises us to be cautious and mindful of our actions and behavior. He begins by saying,

Be sure to keep away from that which angers your Lord and alienates people from you.

Here, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of avoiding actions that displease Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and create distance between ourselves and others.

Let us delve deeper into the words used in this Hadith. The word (iyaaka) "إيّاكَ" translates to "be sure to" or "beware of." It emphasizes the urgency and importance of the advice being given. The phrase (ma yuskhitu rabbaka) "ما يُسْخِطُ رَبَّكَ" refers to actions or behaviors that anger or displease Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). These are actions that go against the teachings of Islam and violate the commandments of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) then warns us about the consequences of angering our Lord, saying,

for the one who angers his Lord is faced with annihilation.

This highlights the severity of displeasing Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and the potential destruction it can bring upon an individual. It serves as a reminder that our actions have consequences, both in this world and the hereafter.

Furthermore, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to avoid actions that

alienate people from you.

The phrase (wayuhišu an-nasa minka) "وَيُوحِشُ النّاسَ مِنْكَ" refers to behaviors that isolate and distance us from others. It reminds us of the importance of maintaining good relationships with our fellow Muslims and society at large.

To support the exegesis of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:11),

O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name of disobedience after [one's] faith. And whoever does not repent - then it is those who are the wrongdoers.

This ayah emphasizes the importance of treating others with respect and avoiding actions that ridicule or insult them. It reminds us that our words and actions have the power to either bring people closer or push them away. By alienating others, we renounce the freedom to build strong and harmonious relationships.

Additionally, in Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:8), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives. Whether one is rich or poor, Allah is more worthy of both. So follow not [personal] inclination, lest you not be just. And if you distort [your testimony] or refuse [to give it], then indeed Allah is ever, with what you do, Acquainted.

This ayah highlights the importance of justice and fairness in our interactions with others. It reminds us that we should not let personal biases or inclinations cloud our judgment. By treating others with fairness and equality, we foster an environment of trust and unity.

In conclusion, this Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to be mindful of their actions and behavior. It urges us to avoid actions that displease Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and alienate people from us. By doing so, we protect ourselves from the potential consequences of angering our Lord and renouncing the freedom to build strong and harmonious relationships. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all to follow the teachings of Islam and grant us the wisdom to act in a manner that pleases Him and brings us closer to our fellow Muslims.