Hadith #10589

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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of continuous effort and struggle in self-reformation. Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this thought-provoking Hadith in light of the Quran.

The key word in this Hadith is (ijtihad) "اِجْتِهادَ", which refers to exerting one's utmost effort and striving diligently towards a goal. It implies a continuous and unwavering commitment to self-improvement and spiritual growth. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us not to abandon this struggle, as it is the only means by which we can truly reform ourselves.

The phrase (for indeed nothing but diligence will assist you)

فَإنَّهُ لايُعْينُكَ إلاّ الجِدُّ

emphasizes the necessity of diligence and perseverance in this journey of self-reformation. It reminds us that without sincere and consistent effort, we cannot expect to achieve any meaningful change in ourselves.

The Quran provides numerous verses that support the importance of self-improvement and striving for righteousness. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Asr (103:3),

Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.

This verse highlights the significance of faith, righteous actions, and mutual encouragement towards truth and patience. It emphasizes the need for continuous effort and struggle in order to attain success in both this world and the hereafter.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:286), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear.

This verse assures us that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) does not expect more from us than our capabilities. It implies that we have the capacity to strive and put in the necessary effort to reform ourselves.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advice in this Hadith encourages us to reflect on our own actions, thoughts, and behaviors. It urges us to identify areas in which we need improvement and to actively work towards rectifying them. This self-reflection and self-improvement process requires sincere intention, determination, and consistent effort.

By engaging in self-reformation, we can cultivate positive qualities such as patience, humility, gratitude, and self-control. We can strive to overcome negative traits such as anger, jealousy, and arrogance. This process of self-improvement not only benefits us individually but also positively impacts our relationships with others and our overall contribution to society.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder that self-reformation is a lifelong journey. It requires continuous self-assessment, self-correction, and self-discipline. It is through this ongoing struggle and effort that we can strive to become better Muslims, better human beings, and ultimately attain closeness to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of not abandoning the struggle for self-reformation. It highlights the need for continuous effort, diligence, and perseverance in our journey towards becoming better individuals. By reflecting on the guidance of the Quran and implementing the teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt, we can strive to reform ourselves and attain closeness to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength and determination to continuously strive for self-improvement.