Hadith #5094

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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights two important aspects that contribute to the consolidation of evil. The first aspect is being deceived by respite, or in Arabic, "الاِغْتِرارِ بِالْمَهَلِ". This refers to the false sense of security and complacency that arises when one is given a period of time without facing any immediate consequences for their actions. The second aspect is reliance on one's own actions, or in Arabic, "الاِتِّكالِ عَلَى العَمَلِ". This refers to the belief that one's own efforts and actions alone can bring about success and protection, without acknowledging the role of Allah's guidance and assistance.

To understand the connotation of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Al-A'raf (7:51), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us about the consequences of being deceived by respite:

Those who took their religion as distraction and amusement and whom the worldly life deluded. So today We will forget them just as they forgot the meeting of this Day of theirs and for having rejected Our verses.

This verse emphasizes that those who are deceived by the temporary pleasures and distractions of this world will be forgotten by Allah on the Day of Judgment. Their reliance on worldly matters and neglect of their spiritual obligations will lead to their own destruction.

Similarly, in Surah Yunus (10:24), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns against relying solely on one's own actions:

The example of [this] worldly life is but like rain which We have sent down from the sky that the plants of the earth absorb - [those] from which men and livestock eat - until, when the earth has taken on its adornment and is beautified and its people suppose that they have capability over it, there comes to it Our command by night or by day, and We make it as a harvest, as if it had not flourished yesterday. Thus do We explain in detail the signs for a people who give thought.

This verse illustrates that just as plants rely on rain for their growth and sustenance, human beings must rely on Allah's guidance and blessings for their success. Our actions alone are insufficient without the support and assistance of Allah.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) thought-provoking Hadith reminds us of the dangers of complacency and self-reliance. When we become deceived by respite, we may become negligent in our religious duties, thinking that we have ample time to repent and rectify our actions. This false sense of security can lead to a consolidation of evil within us, as we continue to engage in sinful behavior without immediate consequences. Similarly, when we rely solely on our own actions and abilities, we neglect the importance of seeking Allah's guidance and assistance in our endeavors. This arrogance can lead to spiritual downfall and the consolidation of evil within our hearts.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we are reminded to be vigilant and proactive in our pursuit of righteousness. We should not be deceived by the temporary pleasures of this world, but rather remember that our ultimate goal is to seek the pleasure of Allah. We should also recognize that our actions alone are insufficient without the support and guidance of Allah. Therefore, we must constantly seek His forgiveness, guidance, and assistance in all aspects of our lives.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) protect us from being deceived by respite and relying solely on our own actions. May He grant us the wisdom and humility to always seek His guidance and assistance in all our endeavors. Ameen.