Hadith #623

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,

إسْتَحِقُّوا مِنَ اللّهِ ما أعَدَّ لَكُمْ بِالتَّنَجُّزِ لِصِدقِ ميعادِهِ والحَذَرِ مِنْ هَوْلِ مَعادِهِ۔

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of becoming deserving of what Allah has prepared for us in the Hereafter by seeking the fulfillment of His true promise and being wary of the horror of His reckoning.

Let us delve deeper into the words of this Hadith to understand its meaning. The word (istahiqu) "إسْتَحِقُّوا" means to become deserving or worthy. It implies that we should strive to earn and merit the rewards that Allah has prepared for us. This requires sincere efforts and righteous actions in accordance with the teachings of Islam.

The phrase (ma aadda lakum) "ما أعَدَّ لَكُمْ" refers to what Allah has prepared for us. It highlights the fact that Allah, in His infinite mercy and wisdom, has promised abundant rewards and blessings for those who fulfill their obligations and strive to please Him.

The term (bitanajjuzi) "بِالتَّنَجُّزِ" means seeking the fulfillment of Allah's true promise. It signifies the importance of actively seeking and striving to fulfill the promises and obligations that Allah has set for us. This includes fulfilling our religious duties, such as performing the obligatory prayers, giving charity, and observing fasts, among others.

Furthermore, the phrase (sidqi mi'adihi) "صِدقِ ميعادِهِ" emphasizes the need for sincerity and truthfulness in our commitment to fulfilling Allah's promises. It reminds us to be steadfast and truthful in our worship and obedience to Allah, without any hypocrisy or insincerity.

On the other hand, the phrase (al-hathar min hawl ma'adihi)

الحَذَرِ مِنْ هَوْلِ مَعادِهِ

warns us to be wary and cautious of the horror and severity of Allah's reckoning. It reminds us of the Day of Judgment, when we will be held accountable for our actions and deeds. This serves as a motivation for us to strive for righteousness and to avoid sins and transgressions.

To further understand the significance of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah says in Surah Al-Imran (3:195),

And their Lord responded to them, 'Never will I allow to be lost the work of [any] worker among you, whether male or female; you are of one another. So those who emigrated or were evicted from their homes or were harmed in My cause or fought or were killed - I will surely remove from them their misdeeds, and I will surely admit them to gardens beneath which rivers flow as reward from Allah, and Allah has with Him the best reward.'

This verse highlights the concept of deserving the rewards promised by Allah. It assures us that Allah will not let the efforts of any believer go to waste. Those who strive in His cause, whether through migration, sacrifice, or even martyrdom, will be rewarded with forgiveness and admission to Paradise.

Another verse that supports the message of the Hadith is found in Surah Al-Mu'minun (23:102-103),

Then those whose scales are heavy [with good deeds], it is they who are the successful. But those whose scales are light, they are the ones who have lost their souls, [being] in Hell, abiding eternally.

This verse reminds us of the importance of seeking the fulfillment of Allah's promise by performing righteous deeds. It emphasizes that our actions will be weighed on the Day of Judgment, and those whose scales are heavy with good deeds will be successful, while those whose scales are light will face the consequences of their negligence.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) urges us to become deserving of the rewards that Allah has prepared for us in the Hereafter. It emphasizes the need to seek the fulfillment of Allah's true promise by being sincere and truthful in our commitment to fulfilling His commands. It also serves as a reminder to be cautious of the horror of Allah's reckoning and to strive for righteousness in order to avoid its consequences. May Allah grant us the ability to become deserving of His blessings and protect us from the horror of His reckoning.