Hadith #982

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 and noble Ahl al-Bayt, and his righteous companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the awe-inspiring greatness of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and the profound impact it has on the hearts and souls of believers. Let us delve into the exegesis of this Hadith, exploring its meanings and implications in light of the Quran.

The first part of the Hadith states,

Faces bow down in front of the greatness of Allah.

Here, the word (ta'nu) "تَعْنُوا" is used, which means to bow down or prostrate oneself in reverence and submission. This signifies the humility and awe that believers experience when confronted with the magnificence and majesty of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). This act of bowing down is a physical manifestation of the deep respect and veneration that Muslims have for their Creator.

The Quran beautifully captures this sentiment in Surah Al-Hajj, verse 18:

Do you not see that to Allah prostrates whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth, and the sun, the moon, the stars, the mountains, the trees, the moving creatures and many of the people? But upon many the punishment has been justified. And he whom Allah humiliates - for him there is no bestower of honor. Indeed, Allah does what He wills.

The second part of the Hadith states,

Hearts tremble out of fear of Him.

The word (tajillu) "تَجِلُّ" is used here, which means to tremble or shiver due to fear. This highlights the profound impact that the fear of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) has on the hearts of believers. It is a fear that stems from a deep understanding of His power, knowledge, and justice. This fear serves as a driving force for believers to strive towards righteousness and avoid sinful actions.

In Surah Al-Hajj, verse 46, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Have they not traveled through the land, and have they hearts by which to reason and ears by which to hear? For indeed, it is not eyes that are blinded, but blinded are the hearts which are within the breasts.

The final part of the Hadith states,

Souls are sacrificed for His pleasure.

The word (tatahalaku) "تَتَهَالَكُ" is used here, which means to be sacrificed or given up willingly. This signifies the willingness of believers to sacrifice their desires, ambitions, and worldly attachments in order to seek the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It reflects the highest level of devotion and dedication to the Creator, where one's ultimate goal becomes to please Him in all aspects of life.

In Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 207, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And of the people is he whose speech pleases you in worldly life, and he calls Allah to witness as to what is in his heart, yet he is the fiercest of opponents. And when he goes away, he strives throughout the land to cause corruption therein and destroy crops and animals. And Allah does not like corruption.

This Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to constantly reflect upon the greatness of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and the impact it should have on their lives. It calls for humility, fear, and sacrifice in the pursuit of His pleasure. By bowing down in reverence, trembling with fear, and sacrificing our desires, we can attain a deep connection with our Creator and strive towards righteousness. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all on this path and grant us His mercy and forgiveness.