Disciplined by Divine Wisdom - Part Six
Discipline, Taqwa, and the Timeless Wisdom of Imam Ali (A)
In the sacred silence of final moments, words become weighty. The whispers of a soul about to depart are no longer ordinary—they are distilled truth, legacy, and light.
Have you ever sat at the bedside of someone nearing death? The entire room seems to pause. Eyes are fixed, ears strain to hear the softest murmur, and hearts hang on every word. Such moments unveil what truly matters.
This is the scene on the 21st night of Ramadan, 40 AH. Imam Ali (peace be upon him)—Commander of the Faithful and the Master of Eloquence—is living his final breaths. And in those breaths, he chooses to speak.
“I advise you two, and all of my children, and my family, and everyone who hears this advice—to have taqwa (piety) and to be orderly in your affairs.”
Simple? Perhaps. But this was the legacy he wanted to leave behind. The weight of those words can only be grasped when we realise who said them, when they were said, and why they were chosen above all else.
Let’s unpack it:
“You two” — Imam Hasan and Imam Husayn.
“All my children” — every one of his offspring.
“My family” — all of Ahlul Bayt and kin.
“Everyone who hears this” — us.
His universal message is this: Live with taqwa, and bring discipline into your life.
Why did he choose these two traits?
Taqwa is the soul’s shield. It guards the heart from corruption, gives clarity to decisions, and brings proximity to the Divine. But Imam Ali (A) didn’t stop there. He added something many overlook: orderliness.
We often undervalue discipline and planning. We assume they are “good habits,” nothing more. But Imam Ali (A) placed them side by side with taqwa in his final will. That alone should make us rethink their importance.
Discipline isn’t just about productivity—it’s about harmony. Modern science confirms that structured routines help release calming chemicals in the brain, reduce stress, and foster stability between body and mind. Our Prophet (S) said:
“Matters are bound to their appointed times.”
The implication is deep: Everything in its time, everything with its due measure.
What matters most is not what you plan—it’s that you plan.
Planning isn’t about creating a rigid daily spreadsheet. It’s about cultivating inner control. What matters most is that you do the right thing at the right time, consistently.
It’s not even about what task you do—it’s that you commit to order. If you commit to exercising at 7am, then guard that time. If you decide to read Quran before bed, then honour that space.
Imam Ali’s emphasis was not on micromanaging life—but on living it with consciousness and self-mastery.
The gateway to spiritual strength
This path isn’t just about better time management. It’s a shield against sin.
Discipline trains the soul not to chase every desire. It’s a way of resisting the ego, delaying gratification, and learning restraint. That inner strength becomes your defence in moments of temptation.
The one who follows every impulse becomes a servant of their desires.
The one who lives with order becomes master of their soul.
The legacy of a dying Imam
So when Imam Ali (A) chose his final words, he gave us what mattered most: Taqwa and order. A lifestyle rooted in God-consciousness, balanced by discipline.
It is not befitting for those who love him to take these words lightly.
Let us take his final will and etch it into our daily lives.
Source: Ali Reza Panahian