Hadith #1645

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.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he highlights the two types of individuals who can find goodness in this world. Let us delve into the words of this Hadith and explore its deeper meanings in light of the Quran.

The first important word in this Hadith is (adhnaba) "أذْنَبَ", which means to commit sins. It signifies the human tendency to err and deviate from the path of righteousness. The second significant word is (tadarakah) "تَدَارَكَ", which means to make amends or rectify. It implies the act of seeking forgiveness and repenting sincerely for one's sins.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states that the first type of person who can find goodness in this world is the one who commits sins but actively seeks repentance. This individual acknowledges their mistakes, feels remorse, and turns back to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in sincere repentance. The act of repentance is a means of purifying the soul and seeking forgiveness from the Most Merciful.

The Quran supports this concept of repentance in several verses. In Surah Al-Furqan, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (25:68-69)

And those who, when they commit an immorality or wrong themselves [by transgression], remember Allah and seek forgiveness for their sins - and who can forgive sins except Allah? - and [who] do not persist in what they have done while they know.

This verse emphasizes the importance of seeking forgiveness and turning to Allah in repentance.

The second type of person mentioned in the Hadith is the one who struggles against their lower-self (nafs) in obedience to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). This individual recognizes their desires and inclinations but strives to overcome them for the sake of pleasing Allah. They engage in self-discipline and self-control, constantly battling their inner desires to align themselves with the commandments of Allah.

The Quranic verse that resonates with this aspect of the Hadith is found in Surah Al-A'raf, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) describes the successful believers as those who (29:69)

strive in Our cause, We will surely guide them to Our ways. And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good.

This verse emphasizes the importance of self-struggle and striving in the path of Allah, which leads to His guidance and support.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the significance of these two types of individuals because they embody the essence of spiritual growth and development. The person who seeks repentance acknowledges their shortcomings and actively works towards rectifying their mistakes, while the person who struggles against their lower-self demonstrates their commitment to obedience and self-discipline.

The consequences of embodying these qualities are profound. The one who seeks repentance experiences a spiritual transformation, as they are forgiven by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and granted His mercy. They are able to cleanse their souls and attain a higher level of spirituality. Similarly, the one who struggles against their lower-self gains control over their desires and achieves a state of self-mastery. They are able to resist temptations and maintain a strong connection with Allah.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we realize that it is not enough to simply acknowledge our sins or suppress our desires. We must actively seek repentance and strive against our lower-self in order to attain goodness in this world. By doing so, we can purify our souls, strengthen our relationship with Allah, and ultimately find success in the hereafter.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to seek repentance sincerely and struggle against our lower-self in obedience to Him. May He guide us on the path of righteousness and grant us success in this world and the hereafter.