Hadith #6425

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) is a enlightening Hadith that highlights the importance of action and productivity in the life of a Muslim. Let us delve into the exegesis of this Hadith and explore its deeper meanings in light of the Quran.

The first part of the Hadith states,

Where is the one who built and erected, paved and prepared?

Here, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is emphasizing the significance of construction and development. The words used in this part of the Hadith are (built) "بَنَى", (erected) "وَشَيَّدَ", (paved) "فَرَشَ", and (prepared) "مَهَّدَ". These words indicate the act of creating and establishing something, whether it be physical structures or intellectual foundations.

In the Quran, we find numerous verses that emphasize the importance of construction and development. For example, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:29), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

It is He who created for you all of that which is on the earth.

This verse highlights the divine act of creation and the responsibility of humans to build and utilize the resources provided by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hajj (22:46), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

So have they not traveled through the earth and have 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.

This verse highlights the importance of intellectual development and the utilization of reason and knowledge to understand the world around us.

The second part of the Hadith states,

Where is the one who accumulated and counted?

Here, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is emphasizing the importance of organization and accountability. The words used in this part of the Hadith are (accumulated) "جَمَعَ" and (counted) "عَدَّدَ". These words indicate the act of gathering and managing resources, whether they be material possessions or knowledge.

In the Quran, we find several verses that highlight the importance of organization and accountability. For example, in Surah Al-Hashr (59:18), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

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.

This verse emphasizes the need for individuals to be mindful of their actions and to be accountable for their deeds.

Additionally, in Surah Al-Qamar (54:52-53), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And everything they did is in written records. And every small and great [thing] is inscribed.

These verses highlight the concept of divine record-keeping and the importance of being mindful of our actions, as everything we do is accounted for.

In light of the exegesis of this Hadith, we can understand that Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is urging Muslims to be productive and proactive in their lives. He emphasizes the importance of construction, development, organization, and accountability. By building and erecting, paving and preparing, accumulating and counting, Muslims can contribute to the betterment of society and fulfill their responsibilities as stewards of the Earth.

This Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to actively engage in beneficial actions, whether it be through physical construction, intellectual development, or the management of resources. It encourages us to utilize our skills and abilities to contribute positively to our communities and to be accountable for our actions.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and motivation to embody the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and to be productive members of society. May we strive to build, accumulate, and count in a manner that pleases Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and benefits humanity.