Hadith #11180

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due 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) emphasizes the importance of God-consciousness and being mindful of our duties towards Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Let us delve into the exegesis of this profound Hadith in light of the Quran.

The first important word in this Hadith is (taqiyyah) "تَقِيَّةَ", which refers to the God-wariness or fear of Allah. It is the state of being conscious of Allah's presence and being cautious in one's actions to avoid His displeasure. This concept is rooted in the Quran, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of taqwa. For example, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:197), Allah says,

And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is taqwa. So fear Me, O you of understanding.

The second word is (du'iya) "دُعِيَ", which means to be called or invited. In the context of this Hadith, it refers to being called towards righteousness or being reminded of our duties towards Allah. This call can come in various forms, such as through the Quran, the Prophet's teachings, or the advice of righteous individuals. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-A'raf (7:56),

And cause not corruption upon the earth after its reformation. And invoke Him in fear and aspiration. Indeed, the mercy of Allah is near to the doers of good.

The third word is (ajaba) "أجابَ", which means to answer or respond. In the context of this Hadith, it signifies the positive response to the call of righteousness. It implies that when we are reminded of our duties towards Allah, we should respond positively and strive to fulfill them. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:186),

And when My servants ask you concerning Me, indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me.

The fourth word is (taba) "تابَ", which means to repent or turn back to Allah. It signifies the act of seeking forgiveness and returning to the path of righteousness after realizing one's mistakes. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Tahrim (66:8),

O you who have believed, repent to Allah with sincere repentance. Perhaps your Lord will remove from you your misdeeds and admit you into gardens beneath which rivers flow.

The fifth word is (huzzira) "حُذِّرَ", which means to be warned or cautioned. It implies being mindful of the consequences of our actions and taking precautions to avoid falling into sin. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hashr (59:18),

O you who have believed, fear Allah. And let every soul look to what it has put forth for tomorrow - and fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do.

The sixth word is (abar) "عَبَرَ", which means to take lessons or derive wisdom. It signifies the act of reflecting upon the signs of Allah in the world around us and learning from them. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Mulk (67:3),

Who created seven heavens in layers. You do not see any in the creation of the Most Merciful any fault. So return your vision to the sky, do you see any breaks?

The seventh word is (khaafa) "خافَ", which means to fear or be afraid. It highlights the importance of having a healthy fear of Allah's punishment and using it as a motivation to stay on the right path. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Imran (3:175),

It is only the Shaytan that suggests to you the fear of his allies. So fear them not, but fear Me, if you are [indeed] believers.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in this Hadith, urges Muslims to be conscious of Allah in every aspect of their lives. He emphasizes the importance of responding to the call of righteousness, repenting for our sins, being cautious of the consequences of our actions, deriving lessons from our experiences, and maintaining a healthy fear of Allah's punishment. By doing so, we can attain spiritual growth, avoid wrongdoing, and ultimately find safety and security in this world and the hereafter.

This Hadith serves as a reminder for all Muslims to constantly evaluate their actions, seek forgiveness for their shortcomings, and strive to improve themselves. It encourages us to be mindful of our duties towards Allah and to live a life of righteousness and piety. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to embody the teachings of this Hadith and attain His pleasure.