Hadith #4431

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. 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 seek the pleasure of Allah (تَوَخَّ رِضَا اللّهِ) and fear His displeasure (تَوَقَّ سَخَطَهُ). He further instructs us to let our hearts become unsettled by the fear of Allah (زَعْزِعْ قَلْبَكَ بِخَوفِهِ). Let us delve deeper into the meanings of these words and explore their significance in light of the Quran.

The first part of the hadith emphasizes seeking the pleasure of Allah (تَوَخَّ رِضَا اللّهِ). This means that we should strive to do what pleases Allah and align our actions with His commands and teachings. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of seeking His pleasure in the Quran. For example, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:207), Allah says,

And of the people is he whose speech pleases you in worldly life, and he calls Allah to witness as to what is in his heart, yet he is the fiercest of opponents.

This verse reminds us that our actions should be driven by the desire to please Allah, rather than seeking approval or praise from others.

The second part of the hadith urges us to fear the displeasure of Allah (تَوَقَّ سَخَطَهُ). This fear is not a paralyzing terror, but rather a reverential awe and consciousness of Allah's presence and His ability to hold us accountable for our actions. The Quran repeatedly emphasizes the importance of fearing Allah. In Surah Al-Imran (3:175), Allah says,

It is only the Shaytan that suggests to you the fear of his allies. So, do not fear them, but fear Me if you are [indeed] believers.

This verse reminds us that our fear should be directed towards Allah alone, as He is the ultimate judge of our actions.

The final part of the hadith instructs us to let our hearts become unsettled by the fear of Allah (زَعْزِعْ قَلْبَكَ بِخَوفِهِ). This means that we should allow the fear of Allah to penetrate our hearts and have a profound impact on our thoughts, intentions, and actions. When our hearts are unsettled by the fear of Allah, we become more conscious of our choices and strive to avoid anything that displeases Him. In Surah Al-Hashr (59:21), Allah says,

If We had sent down this Quran upon a mountain, you would have seen it humbled and coming apart from fear of Allah. And these examples We present to the people that perhaps they will give thought.

This verse illustrates the power of the fear of Allah in humbling even the strongest of entities.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to seek the pleasure of Allah, fear His displeasure, and let our hearts become unsettled by the fear of Him. By doing so, we align ourselves with the teachings of the Quran and the example of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). This guidance serves as a motivation for us to constantly strive for righteousness, avoid sin, and seek closeness to Allah. It reminds us that our ultimate goal should be to please our Creator and to live a life that is pleasing to Him.

The consequences of following this advice are immense. When we seek the pleasure of Allah, we attain His love and mercy. When we fear His displeasure, we are motivated to avoid sin and strive for righteousness. When we let our hearts become unsettled by the fear of Allah, we develop a deep sense of taqwa (God-consciousness) that guides our actions and protects us from wrongdoing. This path leads to spiritual growth, inner peace, and ultimately, success in this life and the Hereafter.

Reflecting on this hadith, we are reminded of the importance of constantly evaluating our actions and intentions. It serves as a call to self-accountability and a reminder that our ultimate purpose in life is to seek the pleasure of Allah. May Allah grant us the ability to implement the teachings of this hadith in our lives and may He guide us on the path of righteousness.