Three Eyes That Will Not Weep

Introduction

In the coming week, we remember two significant occasions related to Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (peace be upon him): the anniversary of his martyrdom on 27^th Jumada al-Thani and the anniversary of his blessed birth on 1 Rajab. Imam al-Baqir (AS) lived at a time of moral confusion and intellectual challenge, and he responded by teaching a form of faith that was deeply practical and transformative.

In this issue’s Hadith of the Week, we reflect on one of his profound sayings, which highlights three forms of spiritual vigilance that protect a believer on the Day of Judgement.

قالَ الباقِر عليه السلام: كُلُ عَيْنٍ باكِيَةٌ يَوْمَ القِيامَةِ اِلاّ ثَلاثَ عُيُونٍ: عَيْنٌ سَهَـرَتْ فِى سَبـيلِ اللّه ِ. وَ عَيْنٌ فاضَت مِنْ خَشْيَةِ اللّه ِ. وَ عَيْنٌ غَضَّتْ عَنْ مَحارِمِ اللّه (معدن الجواهر و ریاضه الخواطر، ج ۱، ص۳۴).

Imam al-Baqir (peace be upon him) said:

“Every eye will be weeping on the Day of Resurrection except three: an eye that stayed awake in the path of Allah; an eye that shed tears out of fear of Allah; and an eye that lowered itself from what Allah has forbidden.” (Ma‘dan al-Jawahir wa Riyadat al-Khawatir, vol. 1, p. 34)

Educational messages from the hadith for teens and youth

1. Late Nights Can Be Sacred

Staying awake is not always a waste of time; when done for prayer, study, or helping others, it becomes worship.

Practical challenge: One night this week, stay awake for 10 extra minutes to pray, reflect, or help someone at home.

2. Crying Can Be Strength

Tears from awareness of God soften the heart and show real emotional intelligence, not weakness.

Practical challenge: Spend two quiet minutes alone this week reflecting on your actions and asking Allah for guidance.

3. Faith Is Built Through Small Choices

Spiritual success comes from daily discipline, not only sudden big acts.

Practical challenge: Choose one daily habit (e.g. lowering your gaze or praying on time) and commit to it for seven days.

4. Your Gaze Shapes Your Heart and Actions

The eyes are the gateway to the heart, and the heart guides behaviour; if you want to improve your actions, start by protecting what you choose to look at.

Practical challenge: For one day, consciously lower your gaze from anything inappropriate and notice how it affects your thoughts and behaviour.

5. Do Everything for God First

You can have many intentions in one action (e.g. studying for success), but let pleasing Allah be the highest intention behind everything you do.

Practical challenge: Before one daily task, quietly say: “I do this for Allah.”

6. Be Different with Purpose

Choosing God’s path may feel lonely, but it leads to lasting honour.

Practical challenge: When pressured to join something wrong, practise saying a calm but firm “no”.

7. Live with God-Centred Awareness All Day

“Staying awake for Allah” is not only at night; every moment — studying, working, scrolling, helping — can be for God if your purpose is right.

Practical challenge: Turn one ordinary daily activity into worship by setting a God-centred intention.

Educational messages from the hadith for parents

1. Protect Your Children’s Eyes and Hearts

Do not place your children in environments that expose their eyes and hearts to what Allah has forbidden; unrestricted access to social media, television, and the company of people who ignore divine limits slowly harms their faith.

Practical challenge: Review your child’s screen access and social circle this week, and set one clear, loving boundary to protect their spiritual well-being.

2. Be a Living Role Model

Practise the teachings of this hadith in your own daily life, so your children learn faith by watching you, not just by hearing advice.

Practical challenge: Choose one behaviour (such as guarding your gaze, sincerity in intention, or mindful media use) and consciously practise it this week in front of your children.

3. Teach Long-Term Thinking, Not Instant Reactions

Help your children look beyond momentary pleasure or hardship and think about long-term outcomes; what is hard now may bring great benefit, and what feels good now may cause lasting harm.

Practical Challenge: Discuss one daily situation with your child this week and help them compare its short-term feeling with its long-term consequences.

Educational messages from the hadith for imams, chaplains, and religious scholars

1. Teach Practical Piety, Not Abstract Morality

The hadith focuses on actions that ordinary believers can practise daily.

Practical challenge: Dedicate one sermon to small, achievable acts of taqwa (God-consciousness).

2. Address Digital Temptations Clearly

Lowering the gaze now includes screens as much as streets.

Practical challenge: Speak openly this week about ethical use of phones and social media.

3. Promote Night-Time Spirituality

Even short moments of night worship can transform hearts.

Practical challenge: Encourage the congregation to try a two-minute night prayer once a week.