Hadith #11104

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 Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

اِتَّقِ اللّهَ الَّذي لا بُدَّ لَكَ مِنْ لِقائِهِ، ولامُنْتَهى لَكَ دُونَهُ۔

This amazing Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) urges Muslims to be wary of their duty towards Allah, the One whom they will inevitably meet, and with whom there is no ultimate end.

Let us delve into the exegesis of this Hadith in light of the Quran. The word (ittaqi) "اِتَّقِ" is derived from the root word (waqa) "وَقَىٰ", which means to protect, guard, or be cautious. It implies being conscious of Allah's presence and His commandments, and striving to avoid anything that may displease Him. This word is used in the Quran in various verses, such as in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:197), where Allah says,

And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is Taqwa. So fear Me, O you of understanding.

The phrase (Allah alladhi la budda laka min liqa'ihi)

اللَّهَ الَّذي لا بُدَّ لَكَ مِنْ لِقائِهِ

emphasizes the inevitability of meeting Allah. It reminds us that every soul shall taste death and will ultimately be held accountable for their actions. This concept is reiterated in the Quran in Surah Al-Ankabut (29:57), where Allah says,

Every soul will taste death. Then to Us will you be returned.

Furthermore, the phrase (wala muntaha laka doonahu) "ولامُنْتَهى لَكَ دُونَهُ" highlights that there is no ultimate end or destination other than Allah. It emphasizes the fact that all worldly pursuits and desires are temporary and transient, and the true purpose of life lies in seeking the pleasure of Allah. This concept is beautifully expressed in the Quran in Surah Al-Qasas (28:88), where Allah says,

And do not invoke with Allah another deity. There is no deity except Him. Everything will be destroyed except His Face. His is the judgement, and to Him you will be returned.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his profound knowledge and wisdom, urges Muslims to be conscious of their duty towards Allah, recognizing that they will eventually meet Him and that there is no ultimate end or destination other than Him. This exhortation serves as a reminder for Muslims to prioritize their relationship with Allah above all worldly pursuits.

Reflecting upon this Hadith, we realize that our actions in this world should be guided by the consciousness of meeting Allah and seeking His pleasure. It motivates us to strive for righteousness, to fulfill our obligations towards Allah and His creation, and to avoid anything that may displease Him. It reminds us that our ultimate goal is to attain the eternal bliss of the Hereafter, where we will be in the presence of Allah.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to be wary of their duty towards Allah, recognizing that they will inevitably meet Him and that there is no ultimate end or destination other than Him. It urges us to prioritize our relationship with Allah, strive for righteousness, and seek His pleasure in all aspects of our lives. May Allah grant us the ability to fulfill our duty towards Him and meet Him with hearts filled with Taqwa.