Hadith #6569

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

Return from negligence, awake from slumber, prepare yourself for the move and gather provisions for the journey.

Let us delve into the deeper meanings of the words used in this Hadith and explore their significance in light of the Quran.

The first word in the Hadith is (ثُوبُوا) "tawbu", which can be translated as "return" or "repent." It implies a call to Muslims to turn away from negligence and heedlessness. This word reminds us of the importance of constantly evaluating our actions and seeking forgiveness from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) for any shortcomings or sins we may have committed. Allah says in the Quran (Surah At-Tahrim, 66:8),

O you who have believed, repent to Allah with sincere repentance.

The next word, (تَنَبَّهُوا) "tanabbahu", means to "awake" or "be alert." It serves as a reminder for Muslims to be vigilant and conscious of their actions. It is a call to awaken from the slumber of negligence and to be fully aware of the consequences of our choices. Allah says in the Quran (Surah Al-Imran, 3:200),

O you who have believed, persevere and endure and remain stationed and fear Allah that you may be successful.

The third word, (تَأهَّبُوا) "ta'ahhabu", can be translated as "prepare" or "get ready." It signifies the need for Muslims to be prepared for the challenges and trials that lie ahead. It is a call to be proactive in our faith and to equip ourselves with the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate through life's journey. Allah says in the Quran (Surah Al-Anfal, 8:60),

And prepare against them whatever you are able of power and of steeds of war by which you may terrify the enemy of Allah.

Lastly, the word (تَزَوَّدُوا) "tazawwadu" means to "gather provisions" or "stock up." It emphasizes the importance of accumulating spiritual provisions for the journey of life. Just as we gather physical provisions for a physical journey, we must also gather spiritual provisions such as knowledge, good deeds, and a strong connection with Allah. Allah says in the Quran (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:197),

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

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) profound advice in this Hadith urges us to reflect on our lives and make necessary changes. We are called to return from negligence and repent for our shortcomings. We are reminded to awaken from the slumber of heedlessness and be alert to the opportunities for growth and improvement. We are encouraged to prepare ourselves for the challenges that lie ahead and gather the necessary provisions to navigate through life's journey.

By heeding Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advice, we can become more conscious of our actions and strive for self-improvement. We can seek forgiveness from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), increase our knowledge and understanding of Islam, and accumulate good deeds that will benefit us in this life and the hereafter. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to implement these teachings in our lives and guide us on the path of righteousness.