Hadith #354

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 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,

Whoever misses personal attainment cannot be benefited by his forefathers' attainments.

This enlightening Hadith emphasizes the importance of individual effort and personal growth. Let us delve into the exegesis of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The key words in this Hadith are (misses) "أَبْطَأَ" and (personal attainment) "عَمَلُهُ". The word "أَبْطَأَ" comes from the root word "بَطَأَ" which means to be slow, sluggish, or to lag behind. It implies a lack of effort or delay in performing righteous deeds. On the other hand, "عَمَلُهُ" refers to one's personal actions, deeds, or efforts.

To understand the significance of personal attainment, we turn to the Quran. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of individual responsibility and effort in several verses. For example, in Surah Al-Isra (17:80), Allah says,

And say: My Lord! Cause me to come in with a firm incoming and to go out with a firm outgoing. And give me from Thy presence a sustaining Power.

This verse highlights the need for personal effort and reliance on Allah for success.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Taghabun (64:11), Allah states,

No calamity befalls except by the permission of Allah. And whoever believes in Allah, He guides his heart. And Allah is Knowing of all things.

This verse reminds us that while Allah is the ultimate source of guidance and success, it is our belief and personal effort that leads to the guidance of our hearts.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes that relying solely on the achievements of our forefathers is not sufficient for our own spiritual growth. We cannot expect to benefit from the righteousness of our ancestors if we do not actively strive to improve ourselves. This Hadith serves as a reminder that each individual is responsible for their own actions and will be held accountable for their own deeds.

For instance, imagine a person who comes from a pious and righteous lineage, but they themselves do not put in any effort to follow the path of righteousness. They may take pride in their family's achievements, but their own lack of personal attainment will prevent them from benefiting from the blessings and rewards that come with it.

On the other hand, consider an individual who may not have a noble lineage, but they actively strive to improve themselves and engage in righteous deeds. Despite not having the advantage of a virtuous ancestry, their personal efforts will lead to their own spiritual growth and the blessings of Allah.

This Hadith encourages Muslims to take ownership of their spiritual journey and not rely solely on the achievements of their forefathers. It motivates us to actively engage in acts of worship, seek knowledge, and strive for personal growth. By doing so, we can attain a higher spiritual status and benefit from the blessings and rewards that come with it.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to prioritize personal attainment and not rely solely on the achievements of their forefathers. It emphasizes the importance of individual effort, striving for righteousness, and seeking personal growth. By actively engaging in acts of worship and seeking knowledge, we can attain a higher spiritual status and benefit from the blessings and rewards that come with it. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to continuously strive for personal attainment and seek His pleasure.