Hadith #6386

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, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

إذَا اصْطَفى اللّهُ عَبْداً جَلْبَبَهُ خَشْيَتَهُ۔

This can be translated as,

When Allah chooses a servant, He covers him with His awe.

Let us delve into the meaning of the key words in this Hadith. The word (istafa) "اصْطَفَى" means to choose or select someone with preference and distinction. It signifies Allah's special favor and selection of a servant. The word (jalbaba) "جَلْبَبَهُ" refers to the act of covering or enveloping someone. It implies that Allah's awe and reverence encompasses the chosen servant. Finally, (khashyatahu) "خَشْيَتَهُ" means fear, awe, or reverence. It signifies the state of humility and piety that the chosen servant experiences in the presence of Allah.

To gain a deeper understanding of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Al-Anfal (8:29), Allah says,

O you who have believed, if you fear Allah, He will grant you a criterion and will remove from you your misdeeds and forgive you. And Allah is the possessor of great bounty.

This verse highlights the importance of fearing Allah and the rewards that come with it. When a servant truly fears Allah, it is a sign of their devotion and obedience. Allah, in turn, bestows His blessings upon them and forgives their sins.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hajj (22:37), Allah says,

It is not their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah, but it is your piety that reaches Him.

This verse emphasizes that it is not external acts or rituals that hold significance, but rather the sincerity and piety of the heart. When a servant is chosen by Allah, they are enveloped in His awe and their actions are driven by a deep sense of reverence and piety.

The exegesis of this Hadith reveals profound insights. When Allah chooses a servant, it is a testament to their exceptional qualities and devotion. This selection is not based on worldly status or appearance, but rather on the purity of the heart and the sincerity of one's intentions. The chosen servant is enveloped in Allah's awe, which serves as a shield against sin and wrongdoing.

This Hadith reminds us of the importance of cultivating a deep sense of awe and reverence for Allah in our lives. It is through this fear and humility that we can attain closeness to our Creator. When we are conscious of Allah's presence and constantly strive to please Him, we are guided towards righteousness and protected from the temptations of the world.

The consequences of being chosen by Allah and enveloped in His awe are profound. The chosen servant becomes a beacon of guidance and righteousness for others. Their actions and words are infused with divine wisdom and their character serves as a model for others to emulate. They become a source of inspiration and a means of bringing people closer to Allah.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we are reminded of the immense honor and responsibility that comes with being chosen by Allah. It is a reminder to constantly strive for self-improvement, to purify our intentions, and to seek Allah's pleasure in all that we do. May Allah choose us as His devoted servants and envelop us in His awe, guiding us on the path of righteousness.