Hadith #3552

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 highlights a thought-provoking scenario that challenges our perception of health and illness. The key words in this Hadith are (seriously ill) "دَنِف", (saved) "نَجا", (healthy) "صَحِيح", and (died) "هَوَى".

The word "دَنِف" refers to someone who is severely ill, indicating a critical condition that threatens their life. "نَجا" means to be saved or rescued, implying that despite the severity of their illness, they were able to overcome it and survive. On the other hand, "صَحِيح" refers to someone who is healthy, indicating a state of well-being and absence of illness. Finally, "هَوَى" means to die or perish, signifying the ultimate end of life.

To understand the impactful message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Anfal (8:42),

And [remember] when you were few and oppressed in the land, fearing that people might abduct you, but He sheltered you, supported you with His victory, and provided you with good things - that you might be grateful.

This verse reminds us that even in times of weakness and vulnerability, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) can provide protection and deliverance. Similarly, in the Hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the miraculous nature of how some seriously ill individuals are saved from the brink of death, while seemingly healthy individuals perish.

This Hadith challenges our conventional understanding of health and illness. It reminds us that good health is not an absolute guarantee of safety, nor is severe illness a certain path to death. It is a reminder that our lives are ultimately in the hands of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), and He alone determines our fate.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we can find numerous examples in our lives and history where individuals who were seriously ill made a remarkable recovery, defying all expectations. Conversely, we may also witness instances where seemingly healthy individuals unexpectedly face sudden death. These occurrences serve as reminders of the unpredictability of life and the need for humility in the face of Allah's (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) decree.

This Hadith also encourages us to appreciate the blessings of good health and to be grateful to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) for it. It reminds us not to take our well-being for granted and to use our physical strength to serve Allah and His creation. Additionally, it serves as a reminder to supplicate to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) for protection and well-being, recognizing that our ultimate salvation lies in His hands alone.

In conclusion, this Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the unpredictability of life and challenges our perception of health and illness. It reminds us that our lives are ultimately in the hands of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), and He alone determines our fate. It encourages us to be grateful for the blessings of good health and to supplicate to Allah for protection and well-being. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us all good health and protect us from harm.