Hadith #7780

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be 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.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of continuously performing righteous deeds throughout one's life. The key words in this Hadith are (cannot dispense with) "لا يَسْتَغْنِى" and (righteous deeds) "صالِحِ العَمَلِ".

The phrase "لا يَسْتَغْنِى" conveys the idea that a person can never become self-sufficient or independent from the need for righteous deeds. It highlights the perpetual requirement for good actions and the constant need to strive for righteousness. This means that no matter how much wealth, power, or worldly success a person may attain, they can never reach a point where they no longer need to engage in righteous deeds.

This concept is supported by several Quranic verses. In Surah Al-Isra (17:80), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And say: My Lord! Cause me to come in with a firm incoming and to go out with a firm outgoing. And give me from Thy presence a sustaining Power.

This verse emphasizes the need for a person to constantly seek Allah's support and guidance throughout their life, indicating that they can never become self-sufficient.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hadid (57:21), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

Race one with another for forgiveness from your Lord and for Paradise, whose width is as the width of the heavens and the earth, which has been prepared for those who believe in Allah and His messengers. That is the bounty of Allah, which He bestows upon whom He wills, and Allah is the possessor of great bounty.

This verse encourages believers to continuously strive for forgiveness and Paradise, indicating that the need for righteous deeds persists until the end of one's life.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) also highlights the importance of righteous deeds in relation to the soul and the body. It states that a person's need for righteous deeds remains until the time when their soul departs from their body. This implies that righteous deeds have a direct impact on the soul and its journey beyond this worldly life.

The Quranic verse in Surah Al-Anfal (8:24) supports this notion, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

O you who have believed, respond to Allah and to the Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you life.

This verse indicates that responding to the call of Allah and His Messenger, which includes engaging in righteous deeds, is what truly gives life to the soul. It is through the performance of good actions that the soul is nourished and elevated.

The consequences of neglecting righteous deeds are severe. If a person fails to continuously engage in good actions, their soul may become spiritually stagnant or even corrupted. This can lead to a state of heedlessness and distance from Allah's mercy. In Surah Al-Imran (3:91), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns,

Indeed, those who disbelieve and die while they are disbelievers - upon them will be the curse of Allah and of the angels and the people, all together.

This verse highlights the dire consequences of a life devoid of righteous deeds, emphasizing the importance of continuously striving for goodness.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we are reminded of the need to constantly engage in righteous deeds and never become complacent or satisfied with our past actions. It serves as a motivation to continuously seek Allah's pleasure and strive for spiritual growth. By understanding that our need for righteous deeds persists until the end of our lives, we are encouraged to make the most of every opportunity to perform good actions and seek closeness to Allah.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to continuously engage in righteous deeds and seek His pleasure until our last breath. May He bless us with steadfastness and sincerity in our actions, and may He guide us on the path of righteousness.