Hadith #3409

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds, and peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

One who falls short in performing good deeds, loses and regrets.

This wise utterance of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of actively engaging in righteous actions and the consequences of neglecting them.

Let us first examine the key words in this Hadith. The word (qasara) "قَصَرَّ" means to fall short or to be deficient in something. In this context, it refers to falling short in performing good deeds. The word (fi'il) "فِعْلِ" means action or deed, and (al-khayr) "الخَيْرِ" refers to any act of goodness or righteousness. The word (khasira) "خَسِرَ" means to lose or suffer loss, and (wanadima) "ونَدِمَ" means to regret or feel remorse.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran, which provides guidance and clarification on the importance of performing good deeds. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:148),

So race to [all that is] good.

This verse emphasizes the urgency and competition in performing good deeds, indicating that we should not delay or fall short in our efforts to do good.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hadid (57:21), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

Race toward forgiveness from your Lord and a Garden whose width is like the width of the heavens and earth, prepared for those who believed in Allah and His messengers.

This verse highlights the reward and blessings that await those who actively strive to perform good deeds and seek forgiveness from Allah.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder that neglecting good deeds not only leads to loss but also brings about regret. When we fail to seize opportunities to do good, we miss out on the immense rewards and blessings that Allah has promised for those who engage in righteous actions.

Moreover, falling short in performing good deeds can have detrimental effects on our spiritual well-being. It can lead to a sense of emptiness, dissatisfaction, and regret. This regret stems from the realization that we have wasted precious opportunities to earn Allah's pleasure and draw closer to Him.

To illustrate this, let us consider an example. Imagine a person who consistently neglects their daily prayers, despite knowing their importance and rewards. Over time, this individual may experience a deep sense of regret and loss, realizing that they have missed out on the spiritual nourishment and connection with Allah that prayer provides. This regret may intensify when they witness the tranquility and contentment experienced by those who are steadfast in their prayers.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to actively engage in performing good deeds. Falling short in this regard not only leads to loss but also brings about regret. We should strive to seize every opportunity to do good, seeking Allah's pleasure and the eternal rewards that await us. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to consistently perform good deeds and protect us from any regrets in this life and the Hereafter.