Hadith #4693

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all 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 advises us to be cautious and mindful of the displeasure of the One who holds ultimate authority over our salvation and destruction. The Imam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights three key aspects that we need to consider in our relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Firstly, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that nothing can save us from the consequences of Allah's displeasure except obedience to Him. This emphasizes the importance of following the commandments and guidance laid out in the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). The Quran affirms this in several verses, such as in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:132) where Allah says,

And this was the legacy that Abraham left to his sons, and so did Jacob; 'O my sons! Allah hath chosen the Faith for you; then die not except in the Faith of Islam.'

Secondly, the Imam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns us that nothing can destroy us except disobedience to Allah. This highlights the grave consequences of engaging in sinful actions and straying away from the path of righteousness. The Quran repeatedly emphasizes the importance of avoiding disobedience and sin. For example, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:81), Allah says,

Nay! Whoever earns evil and his sin has encompassed him, those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide therein eternally.

Thirdly, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that nothing can accommodate us except the mercy of Allah. This highlights the infinite mercy and compassion of our Creator. It is through His mercy that we find solace, forgiveness, and redemption. The Quran beautifully describes Allah's mercy in Surah Az-Zumar (39:53),

Say, 'O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.'

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) then advises us to turn to Allah and place our trust in Him. This means that we should seek His guidance, rely on Him in times of difficulty, and have complete faith in His wisdom and plan for us. Trusting in Allah is an essential aspect of our relationship with Him, as mentioned in the Quran in Surah At-Talaq (65:3),

And whoever relies upon Allah - then He is sufficient for him.

Reflecting on this profound hadith, we are reminded of the importance of obedience to Allah, the consequences of disobedience, and the infinite mercy that He bestows upon His servants. It serves as a powerful reminder to constantly evaluate our actions and strive to please Allah in all aspects of our lives. May Allah guide us to the straight path and grant us the ability to seek His pleasure, avoid His displeasure, and place our complete trust in Him.