Hadith #4852

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. 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) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims about the true path to attaining happiness and success. The Imam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) begins by expressing his astonishment at how far true contentment and fulfillment are from being achieved through a life of ease and idleness.

Let us delve into the important words of this Hadith. The word (neel) "نَيْلِ" refers to the attainment or acquisition of something. In this context, it signifies the attainment of true happiness and felicity. (sa'adah) "السَّعادَةِ" refers to happiness, well-being, and success. (sukoon) "اَلسُّكُونُ" means repose, tranquility, or ease. (ila) "إلَى" means "to" or "towards." (al-hawina) "الهُوَيْنا" refers to idleness, laziness, or inactivity. And finally, (al-batalah) "البِطالَةِ" means futility or uselessness.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of action, striving, and productivity in the Quran. In Surah Al-Mu'minun, verse 61, Allah says,

And it is He who made you successors upon the earth and raised some of you above others in degrees [of rank] that He may try you through what He has given you. Indeed, your Lord is swift in penalty; but indeed, He is Forgiving and Merciful.

This verse highlights the concept of being active and productive in fulfilling our responsibilities as successors on this earth.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Asr, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) 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 emphasizes the importance of righteous actions and the guidance of one another towards truth and patience.

From these verses, we can understand that true happiness and success are not achieved through a life of ease and idleness. Rather, they are attained through active engagement in righteous deeds, fulfilling our responsibilities, and striving for excellence in all aspects of life. It is through our actions and efforts that we can make a positive impact on ourselves, our communities, and society as a whole.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, reminds us of the dangers of idleness and inactivity. He highlights that true felicity lies in actively pursuing righteousness, fulfilling our duties, and striving for excellence in all aspects of life. By engaging in meaningful actions, we not only benefit ourselves but also contribute to the betterment of society.

This Hadith serves as a motivation for Muslims to reflect upon their own lives and assess whether they are actively working towards achieving true happiness and success. It encourages us to avoid a life of complacency and instead strive for continuous self-improvement and the betterment of our communities.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to understand the profound teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and the strength to actively pursue righteousness and excellence in all aspects of our lives. Ameen.