Hadith #10293

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.

In this profound hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he highlights a crucial aspect of our relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). The Imam states,

The least that you must do for Allah, the Most High, is ensure that you do not use His blessings as a means of disobeying [and sinning against] Him.

Let us delve into the exegesis of this hadith by examining the key words and their meanings. The word (aql) "أقَلُّ" means "the least" or "the minimum." It emphasizes that what follows is the bare minimum requirement from us as Muslims. (ma yalzamukum) "مَا يَلْزَمُكُمْ" means

what is obligatory upon you

or

what is necessary for you.

It signifies that fulfilling this requirement is essential for our relationship with Allah.

The phrase (la tastaeenu bi ni'amih) "لاتَسْتَعِينُوا بِنِعَمِهِ" translates to

do not use His blessings.

Here, (ni'amih) "نِعَمِهِ" refers to the blessings and favors bestowed upon us by Allah. It encompasses both material and spiritual blessings, such as health, wealth, knowledge, and guidance. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns us against using these blessings as a means of disobeying Allah.

The phrase (ala ma'asihi) "عَلىٰ مَعاصِيهِ" means

as a means of disobeying Him

or

in committing sins against Him.

It highlights the grave mistake of using Allah's blessings to engage in sinful acts or to neglect our religious obligations. It is a reminder that our blessings should serve as a means of gratitude and obedience to Allah, rather than leading us astray.

To further understand the significance of this hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:152),

So remember Me; I will remember you. And be grateful to Me and do not deny Me.

This ayah emphasizes the importance of gratitude and remembrance of Allah in our lives. It reminds us that our blessings should be a means of drawing closer to Him, rather than distancing ourselves through disobedience.

In Surah Al-A'raf (7:32), Allah warns us against using His blessings in a way that leads to transgression. He says,

Say, 'Who has forbidden the adornment of Allah which He has produced for His servants and the good [lawful] things of provision?' Say, 'They are for those who believe during the worldly life [but] exclusively for them on the Day of Resurrection.' Thus do We detail the verses for a people who know.

This ayah emphasizes that Allah's blessings are meant to be enjoyed within the boundaries of what is permissible and pleasing to Him.

Reflecting on the exegesis of this hadith, we realize the profound wisdom of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). He reminds us that our blessings are a trust from Allah, and it is our duty to utilize them in a manner that pleases Him. By refraining from using His blessings as a means of disobedience, we demonstrate our gratitude and obedience to our Creator. This hadith serves as a powerful reminder for us to be mindful of our actions and intentions, ensuring that we do not misuse the blessings bestowed upon us by Allah.

May Allah guide us to fulfill the minimum requirements He has set for us and enable us to utilize His blessings in a manner that brings us closer to Him. May we always be grateful and obedient, and may our actions reflect our love and devotion to Allah.