Hadith #5985

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.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of obedience to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in every situation. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to never let our hearts be devoid of the fear and hope of Allah, even for a split second. Furthermore, he encourages us to constantly seek forgiveness from Allah.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this profound Hadith in light of the Quran. The word (obey) "أطِعِ" in the Hadith refers to complete submission and compliance to the commands of Allah. It encompasses both external actions and internal intentions. Allah repeatedly emphasizes the importance of obedience in the Quran, such as in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 208:

O you who have believed, enter into peace completely and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.

The phrase (do not empty your heart of His fear and His hope even for a split second)

لا تُخْلِ قَلْبَكَ مِنْ خَوْفِهِ ورَجائِهِ طَرْفَةَ عَيْن

highlights the need to maintain a constant awareness of Allah's presence and a balanced state of fear and hope. Fear of Allah's punishment keeps us away from sins, while hope in His mercy and forgiveness motivates us to seek His pleasure. In Surah Al-Hijr, verse 56, Allah says:

And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further advises us to always seek forgiveness from Allah. The act of seeking forgiveness is an acknowledgment of our shortcomings and a means to purify our souls. Allah, in His infinite mercy, encourages us to seek His forgiveness in numerous verses of the Quran. For example, in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 199, Allah says:

Then depart from the place from where [all] the people depart and ask forgiveness of Allah. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

By obeying Allah in every situation, maintaining the fear and hope of Allah in our hearts, and seeking forgiveness, we establish a strong connection with our Creator. This connection serves as a guiding light in our lives, protecting us from straying into the paths of disobedience and leading us towards righteousness. It instills within us a sense of humility, gratitude, and reliance on Allah's guidance.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his profound knowledge and understanding of Islam, imparts this wisdom to us to remind us of our duty as Muslims. His words serve as a constant reminder to prioritize our relationship with Allah above all else and to strive for spiritual growth and purification.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of complete obedience to Allah, maintaining the fear and hope of Allah in our hearts, and seeking forgiveness. It reminds us of the significance of our relationship with Allah and the need to constantly strive for His pleasure. May Allah grant us the ability to implement these teachings in our lives and seek His forgiveness continuously.