اَلا مُسْتَيْقِظٌ مِنْ غَفْلَتِهِ قَبْلَ نَفادِ مُدَّتِهِ۔
Is there nobody who will wake up from his [slumber of] negligence before his time [on this earth] ends?.
— Imam Ali a.s.
(Ghurar al-Hikam: Alertness And Vigilance)
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,
اَلا مُسْتَيْقِظٌ مِنْ غَفْلَتِهِ قَبْلَ نَفادِ مُدَّتِهِ۔
This Hadith serves as a wake-up call, urging Muslims to awaken from their state of negligence before their time on this earth comes to an end.
Let us delve into the key words of this Hadith to gain a deeper understanding. The word (mustayqiz) "مُسْتَيْقِظٌ" means to wake up or to be awakened. It conveys the idea of arousing oneself from a state of slumber or heedlessness. (ghaflatih) "غَفْلَتِهِ" refers to negligence or unawareness. It signifies a state of being oblivious to the true purpose of life and the responsibilities that come with it. (nafad) "نَفَادِ" means to come to an end or to reach the limit, while (muddatih) "مُدَّتِهِ" refers to one's allotted time or lifespan.
To understand the beautiful message of this Hadith, we turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us in Surah Al-Imran, verse 185:
Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained [his desire]. And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion.
This verse emphasizes the inevitability of death and the importance of preparing for the Hereafter.
Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder that we must not be complacent in our spiritual journey. We should not allow ourselves to be consumed by the distractions and temptations of this world, but rather strive to awaken ourselves from the slumber of negligence. The consequences of remaining heedless are grave, as we risk squandering our precious time and failing to fulfill our purpose in life.
Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) further emphasizes the importance of mindfulness and vigilance in Surah Al-Hadid, verse 16:
Has the time not come for those who have believed that their hearts should become humbly submissive at the remembrance of Allah and what has come down of the truth?
This verse highlights the need for believers to constantly reflect upon the remembrance of Allah and to be aware of the truth revealed in the Quran.
By awakening from our state of negligence, we become more conscious of our actions and strive to align ourselves with the teachings of Islam. This awakening prompts us to reflect upon the purpose of our existence and to seek closeness to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It motivates us to engage in acts of worship, such as prayer, fasting, and charity, with sincerity and devotion.
Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith also reminds us of the fleeting nature of life. Our time on this earth is limited, and it is crucial that we make the most of it by striving for righteousness and seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Surah Al-Asr, verse 1-3 states,
By time, indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.
This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of utilizing our time wisely and investing in actions that will benefit us in the Hereafter.
In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a wake-up call for Muslims to awaken from the slumber of negligence and to strive for spiritual growth. It urges us to reflect upon the purpose of our existence, to be mindful of our actions, and to make the most of our limited time on this earth. By heeding this call, we can attain closeness to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and ensure success in the Hereafter. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to awaken from our negligence and to lead lives that are pleasing to Him.
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