Hadith #11246

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 Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

Verily the friends of Allah, the Most High, include all those who consider their death to be near, belie their [false] hopes, and have many good deeds and only a few mistakes.

This Hadith highlights the qualities of the true friends of Allah, emphasizing their awareness of the transient nature of life, their rejection of false hopes, and their commitment to performing numerous good deeds while minimizing their mistakes.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this Hadith by examining the key words and concepts it presents. The first important term is (friends of Allah, the Most High) "أوْلِياءَ اللّهِ تَعالى". The term "أوْلِياءَ" refers to those who are close to Allah, who have a special relationship with Him, and who are granted His divine protection and guidance. These individuals are chosen by Allah Himself and are characterized by their unwavering faith, righteousness, and devotion to Him.

The next significant phrase is (those who consider their death to be near) "مُسْتَقْرِب أجَلَهُ". This phrase emphasizes the awareness and consciousness of the believers regarding the inevitability of death. They constantly remind themselves of the transient nature of life and the certainty of their eventual return to Allah. This awareness serves as a motivation for them to prioritize their actions and strive for righteousness, knowing that their time in this world is limited.

The phrase (belie their [false] hopes) "مُكَذِّب أمَلَهُ" highlights the importance of abandoning false hopes and relying solely on Allah. The true friends of Allah do not place their trust in worldly desires or material possessions. Instead, they place their hope and trust in Allah alone, recognizing that true success and fulfillment can only be attained through His pleasure and guidance.

The Hadith further states, (have many good deeds and only a few mistakes)

كَثير عَمَلُهُ، قَليل زَلَلُهُ

This phrase emphasizes the consistent and abundant good deeds performed by the friends of Allah. They strive to engage in acts of worship, charity, and kindness, seeking to please Allah in every aspect of their lives. While they may make occasional mistakes, their overall conduct is characterized by righteousness and piety.

To understand the profound significance of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for further guidance. Allah says in Surah Al-Ankabut (29:45),

Recite what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater. And Allah knows that which you do.

This verse emphasizes the importance of performing good deeds, such as establishing prayer, as a means of preventing immorality and wrongdoing. It highlights the transformative power of sincere worship and remembrance of Allah in purifying one's heart and actions.

Another verse that complements the Hadith is found in Surah Al-Hadid (57:21), where Allah says,

Race toward forgiveness from your Lord and a Garden whose width is like the width of the heavens and earth, prepared for those who believed in Allah and His messengers. That is the bounty of Allah which He gives to whom He wills, and Allah is the possessor of great bounty.

This verse encourages believers to strive for forgiveness and the ultimate reward of Paradise by engaging in righteous deeds. It emphasizes the importance of actively pursuing the pleasure of Allah and seeking His forgiveness.

Reflecting on the Hadith and the supporting Quranic verses, we can draw several important lessons. Firstly, the true friends of Allah are those who are constantly aware of the transient nature of life and prioritize their actions accordingly. They do not succumb to false hopes and worldly desires, but instead place their trust in Allah alone. Secondly, they strive to perform numerous good deeds, seeking to please Allah and attain His forgiveness. While they may make mistakes, their overall conduct is characterized by righteousness and piety.

This Hadith serves as a reminder for all Muslims to reflect on their own actions and intentions. It encourages us to prioritize our relationship with Allah, to be mindful of the fleeting nature of life, and to strive for righteousness and good deeds. By embodying the qualities mentioned in this Hadith, we can become true friends of Allah and attain His pleasure and eternal reward.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to be among His true friends and bless us with steadfastness in performing good deeds. Ameen.