Fix Your Relationship with God, and Life Will Fall into Place

Introduction & Occasion of reflecting on This Hadith:

The 21^st of Ramadan marks the martyrdom anniversary of the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (peace be upon him). His life and words remain a source of guidance for Muslims in every generation. On this occasion, we reflect on a short but powerful saying attributed to Imam Ali (as):

قالَ الامام عَلِىٍ عليه السلام: «مَنْ أَصْلَحَ ما بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَ اللّهِ، أَصْلَحَ اللّهُ ما بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَ النّاسِ، وَمَنْ أَصْلَحَ أَمْرَ آخِرَتِهِ، أَصْلَحَ اللّهُ لَهُ أَمْرَ دُنْيَاهُ.»

Imam Ali (peace be upon him) said:

“Whoever corrects what is between himself and Allah, Allah will correct what is between him and other people. And whoever sets right the affairs of his Hereafter, Allah will set right the affairs of his worldly life.” (Nahj al-Balagha, Saying 89)

Educational Messages of the Hadith for Teens and Youth

1. Remember the Hereafter When Making Decisions

Thinking about the Hereafter helps you avoid harmful choices and focus on what truly matters.

Practical Challenge: When faced with a difficult decision this week, ask yourself: “Would this please Allah?”

2. Inner Peace Comes from Faith

A strong spiritual connection gives calmness even during stress or difficulties.

Practical Challenge: When you feel stressed, pause for one minute and repeat a short remembrance such as “SubhanAllah”.

3. Look at the Root of Problems, Not Only the Results

Sometimes when relationships with good people become weak, the real cause may be a weakening of our connection with Allah.

Practical Challenge: If you notice distance between yourself and a good friend, teacher, or faithful family member, take a moment to reflect and ask yourself whether your spiritual habits – such as prayer or honesty – need improvement.

4. Remembering Allah Helps Solve Life’s Problems

Remembering Allah not only prepares us for the Hereafter but also helps bring clarity and solutions to many difficulties in daily life.

Practical Challenge: When you face a problem this week – at school, with friends, or at home – pause for a moment and remember Allah (for example by saying Alhamdulillah or Ya Allah help me) before reacting.

Educational Messages of the Hadith for Parents

1. Build a God-centred Home

When parents strengthen their relationship with Allah, peace and respect often grow within the family.

Practical Challenge: Choose one daily family moment, such as dinner or bedtime, to remember Allah together.

2. Strengthen Your Connection with Allah During Difficult Times

When you face hardship or when others judge you unfairly, turning more sincerely to the remembrance of Allah can bring inner peace and wisdom in responding to the situation.

Practical Challenge: The next time you experience stress or feel misunderstood, pause before reacting and spend a few moments in prayer, supplication, or quiet remembrance of Allah.

3. Let the Remembrance of Allah Guide Your Reactions

Remembering Allah helps parents respond to challenges with patience, dignity, and fairness rather than anger or frustration.

Practical Challenge: This week, if you face a difficult situation with family members, colleagues, or friends, consciously remind yourself of Allah before responding and choose a calm and thoughtful reaction.

4. Teach Trust in Allah

Showing reliance on Allah helps children learn patience and resilience.

Practical Challenge: When facing a difficulty, say “We trust Allah to guide us” and discuss possible solutions together.

5. Balance Worldly Effort and Spiritual Focus

Parents should strive for success in life while keeping the Hereafter as the main goal.

Practical Challenge: Once a week, reflect as a family on one action that helped both your worldly life and your spiritual growth.

Educational Messages of the Hadith for Imams, Teachers, and Chaplains

1. Strengthen Belief in the Unseen (Ghayb)

Help your audience develop trust in the unseen realities – things that exist but cannot be directly observed. Belief in the unseen can become the starting point for belief in the Hereafter and for strengthening one’s relationship with Allah.

Practical Challenge: In one of your upcoming sermons, lessons, or discussions, present a simple real-life example that helps people understand the concept of the unseen (such as faith, intention, or unseen consequences of actions) and connect it to belief in Allah and the Hereafter.

2. Rectifying What Is Unseen

Remind your audience that they should first correct what exists between themselves and their Lord – matters that are hidden from the sight of other people.

Practical Challenge: Set aside one night each week for self-reflection and accountability, and choose one behaviour in your life to improve so that you can live in a way that is more pleasing to God.

3. Promote Harmony in Society

When individuals strengthen their relationship with Allah, community relationships improve.

Practical Challenge: Organise a small community activity that encourages cooperation and mutual respect.

4. Remind People of the Hereafter

Reflection on the Hereafter helps believers prioritise what truly matters.

Practical Challenge: Dedicate part of a sermon to reflecting on how preparation for the Hereafter shapes daily behaviour.