Hadith #5639

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

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

مَنْ صَبَرَ فَنَفْسَهُ وَقَّرَ، وبِالثَّوابِ ظَفِرَ، وَلِلّهِ سُبْحانَهُ أطاعَ۔

This Hadith emphasizes the virtues of patience, self-honoring, attaining success with reward, and obedience to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Let us delve into the meanings of the important words in this Hadith. (sabr) "صَبَرَ" refers to patience, which is the ability to endure difficulties and hardships with steadfastness and perseverance. (waqqara) "وَقَّرَ" means to honor oneself, to elevate one's status, and to maintain dignity in the face of challenges. (zafira) "ظَفِرَ" signifies achieving success and triumph, particularly in the Hereafter. (ata'a) "أطاعَ" denotes obedience to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), following His commands, and submitting to His will.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of patience and its rewards. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah 153, Allah says,

O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.

This Ayah highlights the significance of patience as a means of seeking Allah's assistance and the assurance that He is with those who are patient.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Anfal, Ayah 46, Allah states,

And obey Allah and His Messenger, and do not dispute and [thus] lose courage and [then] your strength would depart; and be patient. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.

This Ayah emphasizes the connection between obedience to Allah and His Messenger, the avoidance of disputes, and the need for patience. It reminds us that patience is not only a virtue but also a source of strength and resilience.

In light of these Quranic verses, we can understand the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) more deeply. When he says,

One who is patient honors himself,

he is highlighting the fact that patience is not a sign of weakness or defeat, but rather a display of inner strength and self-respect. By remaining patient in the face of adversity, one maintains their dignity and elevates their character.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further states,

attains success with reward.

This means that through patience and perseverance, one not only overcomes challenges in this world but also secures immense rewards in the Hereafter. The rewards of patience are not limited to material gains or temporary relief; they extend to the eternal realm of the Hereafter, where true success lies.

Lastly, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes obedience to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) by saying,

and obeys Allah, the Glorified.

This highlights the importance of aligning our actions with the commands of Allah and submitting to His will. Obedience to Allah is a manifestation of our faith and a means of attaining His pleasure and blessings.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the virtues of patience, self-honoring, attaining success with reward, and obedience to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It reminds us that patience is not a sign of weakness, but rather a display of inner strength and resilience. By remaining patient, we honor ourselves, achieve success in this world and the Hereafter, and demonstrate our obedience to Allah. May Allah grant us the ability to embody these virtues and attain His pleasure.