Hadith #10125

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 Arabic phrase of the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is

كُوُنُوا قَوْماً صيحَ بِهِمْ فَانْتَبَهُوا۔

This phrase can be transliterated as

Kunu qawman sayyihan bihim fantabahū.

Let us now delve into the essence of this Hadith in light of the Quran. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of being a proactive and vigilant community in the Quran. In Surah Al-Imran, Allah says, (Quran 3:104)

And let there be [arising] from you a nation inviting to [all that is] good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong. And those will be the successful.

This verse highlights the significance of being a community that actively calls others towards goodness and righteousness. It is not enough to merely possess knowledge and practice it individually; rather, we are urged to actively engage with others and invite them towards the path of righteousness. This is the essence of the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ).

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hajj, Allah says, (Quran 22:78)

And strive for Allah with the striving due to Him. He has chosen you and has not placed upon you in the religion any difficulty.

This verse emphasizes the importance of exerting effort and striving in the path of Allah. It is not enough to be passive or complacent; rather, we must actively work towards spreading goodness and awakening the hearts of others.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, encourages us to be a community that is "cried out to." This means that we should be a community that is known for its active engagement in promoting goodness, justice, and righteousness. We should not wait for others to awaken themselves, but rather, we should take the initiative to awaken them.

This Hadith serves as a reminder that as Muslims, we have a responsibility to actively engage with our communities and society at large. We should strive to be a source of guidance and inspiration for others, just as the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his noble companions were. By embodying the teachings of Islam and actively inviting others towards the path of righteousness, we can contribute to the betterment of society and fulfill our duty as Muslims.

The consequences of embodying this Hadith are far-reaching. By being a community that is actively engaged in calling others towards goodness, we can create a positive and transformative impact on society. We can inspire others to embrace the values of justice, compassion, and mercy that Islam promotes. Moreover, by awakening the hearts of others, we can help them find solace, guidance, and purpose in their lives.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we should ask ourselves: Are we actively engaged in promoting goodness and awakening the hearts of others? Are we fulfilling our duty as Muslims to be a source of guidance and inspiration for others? Let us strive to embody the teachings of this Hadith and actively work towards creating a society that is characterized by righteousness, justice, and compassion. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength and wisdom to be a community that is cried out to, so that we may awaken the hearts of those around us.