Hadith #8016

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. Peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

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

طُوبى لِعَيْن هَجَرَتْ في طاعَةِ اللّهِ غُمضَها۔

This can be translated as:

Blessed is the eye that forsakes its sleep in obedience [and worship] to Allah.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this beautiful Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and explore its significance in the light of the Quran.

The word (tuba) "طُوبَى" in this Hadith refers to a state of bliss, happiness, and contentment. It signifies a reward and a glad tiding from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It is a state of ultimate satisfaction and felicity that is bestowed upon those who strive in the path of Allah.

The phrase (li'ayn) "لِعَيْن" refers to the eye, which is a symbol of perception, awareness, and consciousness. It represents the innermost essence of a person, their ability to see and understand the truth. In this context, it signifies the heart and soul of a believer.

The word (hajarat) "هَجَرَتْ" means to forsake or abandon. It implies leaving behind something for the sake of a higher purpose. Here, it refers to forsaking sleep, which is a natural inclination and a basic human need, in order to engage in acts of obedience and worship to Allah.

The phrase (fi ta'atillah) "في طاعَةِ اللّهِ" means in obedience to Allah. It encompasses all acts of worship, devotion, and submission to the commandments of Allah. It includes prayers, fasting, charity, and all other acts of righteousness.

The word (ghumidaha) "غُمضَها" means to close or shut. In this context, it signifies closing the eye of sleep, i.e., staying awake during the night for the purpose of worship. It symbolizes the sacrifice and effort made by a believer to prioritize their spiritual journey over their physical comfort.

This Hadith emphasizes the virtue and reward of sacrificing sleep for the sake of Allah's obedience. It encourages Muslims to go beyond their natural inclinations and exert themselves in acts of worship. It highlights the importance of dedicating time and effort to connect with Allah, even when it requires sacrificing our comfort and rest.

The Quran provides us with numerous verses that support the message of this Hadith. Allah says in Surah Al-Muzzammil (73:20):

Indeed, your Lord knows, [O Muhammad], that you stand [in prayer] almost two-thirds of the night or half of it or a third of it, and [so do] a group of those with you. And Allah determines [the extent of] the night and the day. He has known that you [Muslims] will not be able to do it and has turned to you in forgiveness, so recite what is easy [for you] of the Qur'an. He has known that there will be among you those who are ill and others traveling throughout the land seeking [something] of the bounty of Allah and others fighting for the cause of Allah. So recite what is easy from it and establish prayer and give zakah and loan Allah a goodly loan. And whatever good you put forward for yourselves - you will find it with Allah. It is better and greater in reward. And seek forgiveness of Allah. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

This verse highlights the dedication of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his companions to the night prayer, despite the physical and worldly challenges they faced. It acknowledges the difficulty of maintaining such a level of worship and encourages believers to do what is within their capacity while still striving to improve.

Another verse that supports the message of this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Isra (17:79):

And during a part of the night, pray Tahajjud beyond what is incumbent on you; maybe your Lord will raise you to a position of great glory.

This verse encourages Muslims to go beyond the obligatory prayers and engage in voluntary acts of worship, particularly the Tahajjud prayer performed during the night. It highlights the potential for spiritual elevation and honor that can be attained through such devotion.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith reminds us of the importance of sacrificing our sleep for the sake of Allah's obedience. It teaches us that true bliss and contentment lie in dedicating ourselves to acts of worship and devotion. It encourages us to prioritize our spiritual growth over worldly comforts and to strive for a deeper connection with Allah.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) bless us with the ability to forsake our sleep in obedience to Him and grant us the reward and felicity promised in this Hadith. May He guide us to be steadfast in our worship and enable us to attain closeness to Him. Ameen.