ذَلِّلْ قَلْبَكَ بِاليَقينِ، وقَرِّرْهُ بِالفَناءِ، وبَصِّرْهُ فَجايِعَ الدُّنْيا۔
Humble your heart with certitude, make it acknowledge the transience of this life, and make it see the calamities of this world.
— Imam Ali a.s.
(Ghurar al-Hikam: The Heart)
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) emphasizes the importance of cultivating certitude (yaqeen) in our hearts, recognizing the impermanence of this worldly life, and being aware of the trials and tribulations that exist in this world.
Let us delve into the deeper meanings of the key words in this Hadith. "Yaqeen" refers to a firm and unwavering belief, a conviction that is based on knowledge and certainty. It is a state of complete trust and reliance on Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). "Fanaa" means the realization of the transience and perishability of this worldly life. It is the understanding that everything in this world is temporary and will eventually come to an end. "Faja'ia" refers to the calamities, hardships, and trials that we encounter in this life.
To support the exegesis of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Al-Hujurat (49:15), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,
Indeed, the believers are only those who have believed in Allah and His Messenger and then doubt not but strive with their properties and their lives in the cause of Allah. It is those who are the truthful.
This verse highlights the importance of having unwavering faith and certitude in Allah and His Messenger. It emphasizes the need to humble our hearts and dedicate ourselves wholeheartedly to the path of Allah.
Furthermore, in Surah Al-Imran (3:185), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us,
Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained [his desire]. And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion.
This verse serves as a reminder of the transient nature of this worldly life. It urges us to reflect upon the reality that our true compensation and eternal abode lies in the Hereafter, and not in the temporary pleasures and delusions of this world.
Now, let us reflect on the beautiful message conveyed by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in this Hadith. Humbling our hearts with certitude means having complete trust and reliance on Allah, firmly believing in His existence, His attributes, and His promises. It involves seeking knowledge and understanding of our faith, strengthening our relationship with Allah through acts of worship, and constantly reminding ourselves of His presence in our lives.
Acknowledging the transience of this life is a crucial aspect of our spiritual journey. It reminds us that our time in this world is limited and that we should not become attached to its material possessions and fleeting pleasures. Instead, we should focus on investing in our eternal life by performing good deeds, seeking knowledge, and striving to please Allah.
Making our hearts see the calamities of this world helps us develop empathy, compassion, and gratitude. It allows us to recognize the suffering of others and motivates us to alleviate their pain. Moreover, witnessing the trials and tribulations that exist in this world serves as a reminder of the temporary nature of our own difficulties. It encourages us to turn to Allah for solace, strength, and guidance, knowing that He is the ultimate source of comfort and relief.
In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) urges us to cultivate certitude in our hearts, recognize the transience of this worldly life, and be aware of the trials and tribulations that exist in this world. By doing so, we can attain a state of humility, contentment, and resilience in the face of adversity. May Allah grant us the wisdom and strength to implement the teachings of this Hadith in our lives.
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