Hadith #8141

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.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he warns us about two dangerous pitfalls that can hinder our spiritual growth and lead to the corruption of our actions. The first warning is against negligence (الغَفْلَةَ), which refers to being heedless, unaware, or inattentive to our duties and responsibilities as Muslims. The second warning is against being deluded by respite (الاِغْتِرارَ بِالمُهْلَةِ), which means being deceived by the false sense of security that comes with the passing of time.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the destructive nature of negligence by stating that it corrupts deeds. When we are negligent, we fail to fulfill our obligations towards Allah and our fellow human beings. Our prayers become mechanical rituals devoid of sincerity, our acts of charity lose their impact, and our relationships suffer from neglect. Negligence leads to a spiritual decline, distancing us from the path of righteousness and diminishing the rewards of our actions.

To support this warning, we can turn to the Quran, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly reminds us of the importance of mindfulness and attentiveness. In Surah Al-A'raf (7:205), Allah says,

And remember your Lord within yourself in humility and in fear without being apparent in speech - in the mornings and the evenings. And do not be among the heedless.

This verse emphasizes the need for constant remembrance of Allah and warns against falling into heedlessness.

The second warning given by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is about being deluded by respite. This refers to the false sense of security that arises when we are granted more time to fulfill our obligations. We may procrastinate, thinking that we have ample time to repent, improve ourselves, or rectify our wrongdoings. However, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that death can come suddenly and unexpectedly, cutting off all hopes of redemption.

The Quran also emphasizes the uncertainty of life and the importance of seizing the opportunity for repentance and righteous actions. In Surah Al-Munafiqun (63:11), Allah says,

But never will Allah delay a soul when its time has come. And Allah is Acquainted with what you do.

This verse reminds us that our time in this world is limited and that we should not delay in seeking forgiveness and striving to improve ourselves.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warning against negligence and being deluded by respite serves as a powerful reminder for all Muslims. It urges us to be vigilant, mindful, and proactive in our pursuit of righteousness. We must not allow ourselves to be distracted or deceived by the passing of time, but rather strive to make the most of every moment in fulfilling our duties towards Allah and our fellow human beings.

By heeding Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advice, we can safeguard our actions from corruption and ensure that our hopes for a better future are not cut off by the sudden arrival of death. Let us reflect upon this profound Hadith and strive to live a life of mindfulness, constantly seeking Allah's pleasure and avoiding the pitfalls of negligence and procrastination. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength and guidance to remain steadfast on the path of righteousness.