Hadith #441

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 Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

Seek goodness in the hoofs of the camel when driven away and when coming back.

This impactful Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) holds deep wisdom and guidance for Muslims.

Let us first analyze the important words in this Hadith. The word (khayr) "خَيْرَ" means goodness, which encompasses all that is beneficial and virtuous. (akhfaaf) "أخْفافِ" refers to the hoofs of the camel, which are the feet of the camel. (taaridatan) "طارِدَةً" means when driven away, and (waaridatan) "ووارِدَةً" means when coming back.

To understand the meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 197:

And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is Taqwa. So fear Me, O you of understanding.

This verse emphasizes the importance of seeking goodness and provisions. Just as a traveler prepares provisions for a journey, we should seek goodness in all aspects of our lives. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) uses the analogy of the hoofs of a camel to illustrate this concept.

When a camel is driven away, its hoofs are in motion, constantly moving forward. This represents the active pursuit of goodness in our lives. We should actively seek opportunities for good deeds, whether it be acts of worship, helping others, or striving for personal growth. This constant effort to seek goodness is essential for our spiritual development.

Similarly, when the camel comes back, its hoofs are still in motion, but this time moving backward. This symbolizes the importance of reflection and introspection. We should reflect on our actions, evaluate our intentions, and seek forgiveness for any shortcomings. This self-reflection allows us to rectify our mistakes and improve ourselves.

The Hadith teaches us that seeking goodness is not limited to a specific time or place. Just as the hoofs of the camel are in motion both when driven away and when coming back, we should continuously seek goodness in all circumstances. Whether we are in times of ease or hardship, we should strive to do good and seek the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) possessed immense knowledge and wisdom, and his teachings were deeply rooted in the Quranic principles. This Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to be proactive in seeking goodness and to constantly reflect on their actions. It encourages us to be mindful of our deeds and to strive for excellence in all aspects of our lives.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to seek goodness in every situation and to continuously reflect on our actions. May He guide us on the path of righteousness and grant us success in this life and the Hereafter.