Hadith #6064

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

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of obedience to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and finding joy in His remembrance. The Imam instructs us to imagine Allah's approach when we turn away from Him, as He calls us towards His forgiveness and envelops us in His kindness.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this profound Hadith by examining its key words and their implications. The first word is (مُطيعاً) "muti'a", which means to be obedient. Obedience to Allah is a fundamental aspect of faith and a means of attaining His pleasure. The Quran repeatedly emphasizes the importance of obedience, such as in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 208:

O you who have believed, enter into peace completely and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.

The second word is (ذِكْرِهِ) "dhikr", which refers to the remembrance of Allah. Dhikr is a powerful act of worship that brings tranquility to the heart and strengthens our connection with the Divine. Allah says in Surah Ar-Ra'd, verse 28:

Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah. Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) then urges us to visualize Allah's approach when we turn away from Him. This imagery serves as a reminder that Allah is always near, even when we feel distant from Him. It highlights His infinite mercy and His constant invitation to seek His forgiveness. Allah assures us in Surah Az-Zumar, verse 53:

Say, 'O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.'

Furthermore, the Hadith mentions that Allah covers us with His kindness. This signifies His immense grace and favor upon us, despite our shortcomings. Allah states in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 286:

Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear.

His covering us with His kindness demonstrates His understanding of our weaknesses and His willingness to forgive and guide us.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we realize the profound implications it holds for our spiritual journey. It teaches us that obedience to Allah and finding joy in His remembrance are essential components of our faith. It reminds us that even when we turn away from Allah, He is always calling us towards His forgiveness and enveloping us in His kindness. This serves as a source of hope and motivation for us to constantly seek His pleasure and strive for self-improvement.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of obedience to Allah and the significance of His remembrance. It encourages us to visualize Allah's approach when we turn away from Him, reminding us of His infinite mercy and constant invitation to seek His forgiveness. May we strive to be obedient to Allah, find delight in His remembrance, and always seek His forgiveness and kindness.