Hadith #10580

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. Peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he advises us to safeguard ourselves from the fire whose fuel is men and stones. Let us delve into the exegesis of this Hadith and explore its deeper meanings in light of the Quran.

The first important word in this Hadith is (waqqi nafsaka) "وَقِّ نَفْسَكَ", which means "safeguard yourself." This implies a personal responsibility to protect oneself from the fire of Hell. It is a call to self-discipline and self-control, reminding us that we have the power to make choices that can either lead us towards Paradise or towards the torment of Hell.

The second important phrase is (waquduha al-nasu wal-hijaratu) "وَقُودُهَا النّاسُ والحِجارَةُ", which means

whose fuel is men and stones.

This highlights the severity of the fire of Hell, as it is fueled by both human beings and stones. It signifies that the punishment in Hell is not only physical but also includes the torment inflicted by one another.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) then advises us to safeguard ourselves from this fire by advancing towards obedience to Allah. This means actively striving to fulfill the commands of Allah and following the path of righteousness. It requires us to be proactive in our pursuit of good deeds and to constantly seek ways to please our Creator.

The next part of the Hadith states, "eschewing His disobedience." This emphasizes the importance of abstaining from sinful actions and behaviors. It reminds us to stay away from anything that displeases Allah and to be mindful of our actions, words, and thoughts. By avoiding disobedience, we protect ourselves from the fire of Hell.

Furthermore, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to seek the pleasure of Allah. This means striving to earn His approval and seeking His satisfaction in all aspects of our lives. It requires us to align our intentions and actions with the teachings of Islam, seeking to please Allah above all else.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for further guidance. Allah says in Surah Al-Imran (3:102),

O you who have believed, fear Allah as He should be feared and do not die except as Muslims [in submission to Him].

This verse emphasizes the importance of fearing Allah and living a life of submission to Him. It echoes the message of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in this Hadith, urging us to safeguard ourselves from the fire of Hell.

Additionally, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:197), Allah says,

And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is Taqwa (piety).

This verse highlights the importance of seeking provisions for our worldly needs, but it also emphasizes that the best provision we can have is piety and God-consciousness. By advancing towards obedience to Allah and seeking His pleasure, we are equipping ourselves with the best provision to safeguard against the fire of Hell.

In conclusion, this Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for all Muslims to actively safeguard themselves from the fire of Hell. It calls us to advance towards obedience to Allah, avoid His disobedience, and seek His pleasure. By doing so, we protect ourselves from the torment of Hell and strive towards attaining the ultimate reward of Paradise. May Allah guide us all on the straight path and grant us the strength to follow the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ).