Hadith #4480

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due 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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

مَنْ رَغِبَ فيما عِندَ اللّهِ أخْلَصَ عَمَلَهُ۔

This can be translated as,

One who desires that which is with Allah makes his actions sincere.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this amazing Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and explore its implications in light of the Quran.

The word (raghiba) "رَغِبَ" in this Hadith means to desire or to long for something. It signifies a deep yearning and aspiration towards attaining the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It is a call to prioritize the eternal rewards and blessings that lie with Allah over the temporary and fleeting pleasures of this world.

To make one's actions sincere, the word (akhlasa) "أخْلَصَ" is used in the Hadith. It means to purify and make something solely for the sake of Allah. It emphasizes the importance of performing deeds with pure intentions, seeking only the pleasure of Allah and not desiring any worldly gains or recognition.

The Quran provides us with several verses that support the exegesis of this Hadith. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-An'am (6:162),

Say, 'Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds.'

This verse emphasizes the need to dedicate all aspects of our lives, including our actions, solely to Allah, without any ulterior motives.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Mumtahina (60:4), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

There has already been for you an excellent pattern in Abraham and those with him, when they said to their people, 'Indeed, we are disassociated from you and from whatever you worship other than Allah. We have denied you, and there has appeared between us and you animosity and hatred forever until you believe in Allah alone.'

This verse highlights the sincerity of Prophet Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and his companions in their rejection of any form of worship other than Allah, exemplifying the importance of making our actions solely for the sake of Allah.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith urges us to reflect upon our intentions and motivations behind our actions. It reminds us that true success lies in seeking the pleasure of Allah and not in the pursuit of worldly gains or recognition. When we desire the rewards that are with Allah, we are motivated to purify our intentions and ensure that our actions are performed solely for His sake.

By making our actions sincere, we align ourselves with the teachings of the Quran and the examples set by the righteous individuals mentioned in it. We strive to emulate the sincerity of Prophet Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and his companions, who disassociated themselves from any form of worship other than Allah.

The consequences of embodying the message of this Hadith are profound. When we make our actions sincere, we develop a deep connection with Allah and strengthen our relationship with Him. Our deeds become a means of drawing closer to Him and attaining His pleasure. Moreover, sincerity in our actions leads to the purification of our hearts and souls, enabling us to live a life of righteousness and piety.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to prioritize the pleasure of Allah over worldly desires. It emphasizes the importance of making our actions sincere and purifying our intentions. By reflecting on the Quranic verses that support this exegesis, we gain a deeper understanding of the significance of seeking the rewards that are with Allah. May Allah grant us the ability to make our actions sincere and may He accept our efforts.