Hadith #8138

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 purified progeny, and his noble companions.

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

إنْتِباهُ العُيُونِ لايَنْفَعُ مَعَ غَفْلَةِ القُلُوبِ۔

This translates to:

The wakefulness of eyes is of no benefit with the negligence of hearts.

Let us begin by examining the key words in this Hadith. (intibah) "إنْتِباهُ" refers to being alert, watchful, or awake. (al-'uyun) "العُيُونِ" means eyes. (ghaflah) "غَفْلَةِ" signifies negligence, heedlessness, or forgetfulness. And (al-qulub) "القُلُوبِ" refers to hearts.

To understand the meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hajj (22:46):

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 highlights the importance of having hearts that are receptive to understanding and perceiving the signs of Allah. It emphasizes that true blindness is not in the physical eyes, but in the hearts that fail to comprehend the truth. Similarly, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that merely being physically awake or watchful is of no benefit if our hearts are negligent and heedless.

Another verse that complements this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Hadid (57:16):

Has the time not come for those who have believed that their hearts should become humbly submissive at the remembrance of Allah and what has come down of the truth?

This verse emphasizes the importance of having hearts that are submissive and attentive to the remembrance of Allah and the truth. It reminds us that true wakefulness and alertness lies in having hearts that are fully engaged and present in the remembrance of Allah, rather than being distracted or negligent.

Reflecting on the Hadith, we can understand that it is not enough to merely have physical wakefulness or alertness. Our eyes may be open, but if our hearts are neglectful and distant from Allah, then our wakefulness is in vain. True wakefulness requires an active and engaged heart that is constantly aware of Allah's presence, His commands, and His guidance.

This Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to strive for a state of wakefulness that encompasses both the physical and spiritual aspects of our being. It urges us to cultivate hearts that are attentive, humble, and submissive to the remembrance of Allah. By doing so, we can ensure that our wakefulness is not in vain, but rather a means of drawing closer to Allah and attaining His pleasure.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to have wakeful hearts that are constantly aware of His presence and guidance. May He protect us from the negligence and heedlessness that renders our wakefulness futile. And may He bless us with the understanding and application of these teachings in our lives.