Hadith #4993

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 progeny, and his noble companions.

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

لا دِينَ لِمُسَوِّف بِتَوْبَتِهِ۔

This can be translated as,

One who procrastinates in seeking repentance has no faith.

Let us delve into the connotation of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (musawwif) "مُسَوِّف" in this Hadith refers to someone who delays or postpones seeking repentance. It implies a person who continuously puts off turning back to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and seeking His forgiveness for their sins. This delay in seeking repentance is a sign of a weak faith or even the absence of faith altogether.

To understand the significance of seeking repentance promptly, we can turn to the Quran. In Surah An-Nisa (4:17), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Indeed, the repentance accepted by Allah is only for those who do wrong in ignorance [or carelessness] and then repent soon after. It is those to whom Allah will turn in forgiveness, and Allah is ever Knowing and Wise.

This verse emphasizes the importance of seeking repentance immediately after committing a sin. It highlights that sincere repentance is accepted by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) when it is accompanied by a genuine intention to rectify one's actions. Delaying repentance indicates a lack of remorse and a disregard for the consequences of one's sins.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:11), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name of disobedience after [one's] faith. And whoever does not repent - then it is those who are the wrongdoers.

This verse highlights the importance of repentance in preserving one's faith. It warns against the consequences of persisting in disobedience without seeking forgiveness. It is a reminder that delaying repentance can lead to a degradation of one's faith and a loss of spiritual integrity.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to be proactive in seeking repentance. It urges us to reflect upon our actions, acknowledge our mistakes, and turn back to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) with sincere remorse and a determination to improve.

Delaying repentance not only weakens our relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), but it also has detrimental effects on our spiritual well-being. It allows sins to accumulate, leading to a hardening of the heart and a distancing from the path of righteousness. By procrastinating in seeking repentance, we risk losing sight of our purpose in this world and jeopardizing our ultimate salvation.

Therefore, as Muslims, it is essential for us to heed the advice of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and promptly seek repentance for our sins. We should strive to cultivate a strong and sincere connection with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), constantly seeking His forgiveness and mercy. By doing so, we can purify our souls, strengthen our faith, and ultimately attain the pleasure of our Creator.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to seek repentance promptly and continuously, and may He forgive us for our shortcomings. Ameen.