Hadith #4855

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, and his noble companions.

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

السعيدُ مَنْ خافَ العِقابَ فَامَنَ، ورَجَا الثَّوابَ فَأحْسَنَ

which translates to

Felicitous is one who fears the punishment [of Allah] so he has faith, and hopes for divine reward so he does good deeds.

Let us delve into the meanings of some key words in this Hadith. The word (sa'id) "سعيد" is translated as "felicitous" or "fortunate." It refers to a person who is blessed and successful in both this world and the hereafter. (khaf) "خاف" means "to fear" and in this context, it signifies a deep sense of awe and reverence towards Allah's punishment. (iqaab) "عقاب" refers to the punishment or retribution that Allah may inflict upon those who transgress His commandments. (aman) "أمن" means "to have faith" or "to feel secure" in the protection of Allah. (raja) "رجاء" means "hope" and (thawab) "ثواب" refers to the divine reward that Allah bestows upon those who perform good deeds. (ahsan) "أحسن" means "to do good" or "to excel" in one's actions.

To understand the enlightening message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah says in Surah Al-Imran (3:185):

Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained [his desire]. And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion.

This verse reminds us that death is inevitable and that our true reward will be granted in the hereafter. Those who fear Allah's punishment and have faith in Him will be saved from the torment of Hellfire and will be granted entry into Paradise. Their felicity lies in their unwavering belief in the consequences of their actions and their hope for divine reward.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:112), Allah says:

Yes, but whoever submits his face in Islam to Allah while being a doer of good will have his reward with his Lord. And no fear will there be concerning them, nor will they grieve.

This verse emphasizes the importance of both faith and good deeds. The truly felicitous ones are those who not only believe in Allah but also strive to perform righteous actions. They have faith in Allah's promise of reward and, as a result, they engage in acts of kindness, charity, and obedience to Allah's commandments.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder to Muslims that true felicity lies in the balance between fear and hope. Fear of Allah's punishment keeps us away from sinful actions, while hope for His reward motivates us to perform good deeds. This balance is essential for the spiritual growth and development of a believer.

When we fear Allah's punishment, we are less likely to engage in acts that displease Him. This fear acts as a deterrent, guiding us towards righteousness and preventing us from falling into the traps of temptation and sin. It instills in us a sense of accountability, reminding us that our actions have consequences.

Simultaneously, our hope for divine reward encourages us to strive for excellence in our actions. It motivates us to go above and beyond in our worship, to be kind and compassionate towards others, and to fulfill our obligations to Allah and His creation. This hope fuels our determination to do good, even in the face of challenges and difficulties.

By embodying the teachings of this Hadith, Muslims can attain true felicity in this world and the hereafter. They will find solace in their faith, knowing that their fear of punishment and hope for reward have guided them towards a life of righteousness and piety. May Allah bless us all with the ability to fear His punishment, hope for His reward, and excel in our actions.