Hadith #4128

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due 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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of remembering Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) with complete attentiveness and sincerity. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us not to remember Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in a state of inattentiveness or forget Him by being distracted with worldly amusements. Instead, we should remember Him in a way that our hearts are in harmony with our tongues, and our inward thoughts align with our outward actions.

To understand the beautiful message of this Hadith, let us delve into the meanings of some key words. The word (saahiyan) "ساهِياً" refers to a state of inattentiveness or heedlessness, where one's mind is preoccupied and not fully focused on the remembrance of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). On the other hand, (lahiyan) "لاهِياً" signifies being distracted or engrossed in worldly amusements, which divert our attention away from the remembrance of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

The guidance provided by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in this Hadith aligns perfectly with the teachings of the Quran. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of remembering Him and being conscious of His presence in our lives. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 33:41)

O you who have believed, remember Allah with much remembrance

This verse highlights the significance of abundant remembrance of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and the need to constantly keep Him in our thoughts.

Furthermore, the Quran teaches us that true remembrance of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) requires sincerity and wholeheartedness. In Surah Al-A'raf, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states, (Quran 7:205)

And mention the name of your Lord in the morning and evening, and during the night prostrate to Him and exalt Him a long [part of the] night

This verse emphasizes the need to remember Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) at all times, with complete devotion and dedication.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) goes even further in his guidance by stating that we can only truly remember Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) when we forget ourselves in the process. This means that our focus should be solely on Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), and we should lose our ego and self-centeredness in our remembrance of Him. This concept is beautifully illustrated in the Quran in Surah Al-Hashr, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 59:9)

And those who, before them, had homes [in Medina] and had adopted the faith - they love those who emigrated to them and find not any want in their breasts of what the emigrants were given but give [them] preference over themselves, even though they are in privation. And whoever is protected from the stinginess of his soul - it is those who will be the successful

This verse highlights the selflessness and generosity of the early Muslims in Medina, who preferred others over themselves, even when they were in need. It teaches us the importance of forgetting our own desires and ego in order to prioritize the well-being and happiness of others. Similarly, in our remembrance of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), we should forget our own selfish desires and focus solely on pleasing Him.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to remember Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) with complete attentiveness, sincerity, and selflessness. It urges us to prioritize our relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) over worldly distractions and to align our hearts, tongues, and actions in His remembrance. By doing so, we can attain true closeness to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and experience the peace and tranquility that comes with a deep connection to our Creator. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to remember Him in the best way and to constantly strive for His pleasure.