Hadith #9441

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.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he foretells a time that will come upon the people when the Qur'an will be reduced to its mere written form, devoid of its true essence and understanding. Similarly, Islam will be reduced to a mere name, lacking the true spirit and practice it demands. The masjids, the houses of worship, will be grand and magnificent in their physical construction but will be empty and desolate with regards to guidance.

Let us delve deeper into the words of this Hadith to understand its significance and relevance in our lives as Muslims. The key words in this Hadith are (time) "زَمانٌ", (written text) "رَسْمُهُ", (name) "اسْمُهُ", (their masjids) "مَساجِدُهُمْ", (marvellously constructed) "عامِرَةٌ", (buildings) "بُنى", (empty) "خالِيَةٌ", and (guidance) "هُدى".

To comprehend the deeper meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Qur'an for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hajj, verse 46:

Have they not traveled through the land, and have they hearts wherewith to understand and ears wherewith to hear? Verily, it is not the eyes that grow blind, but it is the hearts which are in the breasts that grow blind.

This verse reminds us that true understanding of the Qur'an and Islam requires not just physical sight, but also a heart that is receptive and open to guidance. It is not enough to merely recite the words of the Qur'an or identify as Muslims by name. We must strive to internalize its teachings, reflect upon its wisdom, and implement its principles in our lives.

Furthermore, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us in Surah Al-Furqan, verse 30:

And the Messenger will say, 'O my Lord, indeed my people have taken this Qur'an as [a thing] abandoned.'

This verse highlights the danger of neglecting the true essence of the Qur'an. It is not enough to revere the Qur'an as a sacred text or adorn our homes with its written form. We must engage with its teachings, seek knowledge, and apply its guidance in our daily lives. Otherwise, we risk abandoning the Qur'an in its true sense, reducing it to a mere relic of the past.

In light of these Quranic verses, we can understand Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith as a cautionary reminder for Muslims of all times. It serves as a wake-up call to not become complacent with the external trappings of our faith, such as beautifully constructed masjids, without nurturing the internal spiritual growth and connection with Allah.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is urging us to go beyond the superficial and delve deeper into the teachings of the Qur'an and the practice of Islam. We must strive to understand the wisdom behind the words, contemplate their meanings, and apply them in our lives. Merely reciting the Qur'an without understanding its message or identifying as Muslims without embodying its principles is a hollow and empty practice.

The consequences of neglecting the true essence of the Qur'an and Islam are grave. It leads to a spiritual emptiness and a loss of guidance. Our masjids may be physically impressive, but if they lack the presence of true guidance and the active participation of the community in seeking knowledge and practicing Islam, they become mere empty shells.

Therefore, it is incumbent upon us as Muslims to constantly seek knowledge, deepen our understanding of the Qur'an, and strive to embody its teachings in our lives. We must not be content with a superficial relationship with our faith, but rather actively engage with it, seeking guidance and enlightenment.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to not be satisfied with the mere external trappings of our faith. We must strive to understand the true essence of the Qur'an and Islam, and actively engage with its teachings in order to find true guidance and fulfillment. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to embody the teachings of the Qur'an and the practice of Islam in our lives.