Hadith #24

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due 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 addresses the son of Adam, which refers to all of humanity. The Imam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) begins by drawing our attention to the fact that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) continues to bestow His blessings upon us, even when we are in a state of disobedience towards Him. The word (yutābiʿu) "تَتَابِعُ" used in the Hadith means to follow or pursue something continuously. It highlights the continuous nature of Allah's blessings upon us, despite our shortcomings.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) tells us in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:152),

So remember Me; I will remember you. And be grateful to Me and do not deny Me.

This verse reminds us of the importance of remembering Allah and being grateful for His blessings, even when we are in a state of disobedience. Allah's remembrance of us and His continuous bestowal of blessings upon us should motivate us to fear Him and strive to rectify our actions.

Additionally, in Surah Al-Isra (17:83), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And when We bestow favor upon man, he turns away and distances himself; but when evil touches him, then he is full of extensive supplication.

This verse highlights the tendency of human beings to forget Allah's blessings when they are in a state of prosperity and only turn to Him in times of difficulty. Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder for us to be conscious of Allah's blessings even when we are in a state of disobedience, and to fear the consequences of our actions.

The Imam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) urges us to be cautious and mindful of Allah's presence and His knowledge of our actions. We should recognize that our disobedience towards Him does not diminish His blessings upon us. However, this should not lead us to become complacent or take His blessings for granted. Instead, it should instill in us a sense of fear and awe towards our Lord.

When we reflect on this Hadith, we realize that it serves as a reminder of the mercy and patience of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Despite our shortcomings and disobedience, He continues to shower us with His blessings. This should motivate us to repent and seek His forgiveness, as mentioned in Surah Al-Zumar (39:53),

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, this Hadith also highlights the importance of self-reflection and self-accountability. We should constantly evaluate our actions and strive to align them with the teachings of Islam. It reminds us that our actions have consequences and that we will be held accountable for them. This is emphasized in Surah Al-Infitar (82:5-8), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

O mankind, what has deceived you concerning your Lord, the Generous, Who created you, proportioned you, and balanced you? In whatever form He willed has He assembled you.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for all Muslims. It reminds us of the continuous blessings of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) upon us, even when we are in a state of disobedience. It urges us to fear Allah and be mindful of His presence in our lives. It also encourages us to reflect on our actions, seek repentance, and strive to align ourselves with the teachings of Islam. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all on the straight path and grant us the ability to be grateful for His blessings.