Hadith #1234

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

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

بِالإيمانِ يُستَدَلُّ عَلَى الصَّالِحاتِ۔

This can be translated as,

It is through faith that one is guided towards virtuous actions.

Let us delve into the significance of this Hadith by examining its key words. The word (Iman) "إيمان" refers to faith, belief, and conviction in the heart. It encompasses a deep trust and surrender to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), His Messenger (ﷺ), and the teachings of Islam. The term (yustadallu) "يُستَدَلُّ" means to seek guidance or to be directed towards something. Lastly, (as-salihat) "الصَّالِحاتِ" refers to virtuous actions, righteous deeds, and acts of obedience to Allah.

To understand the significance of faith in guiding us towards virtuous actions, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:14),

The Bedouins say, 'We have believed.' Say, 'You have not [yet] believed; but say [instead], 'We have submitted,' for faith has not yet entered your hearts. And if you obey Allah and His Messenger, He will not deprive you from your deeds of anything. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

This verse highlights the importance of true faith, which goes beyond mere verbal declaration. It emphasizes that faith must penetrate the depths of our hearts and manifest in our actions. It is through sincere faith that we are guided towards righteous deeds, as Allah promises to accept and reward our efforts.

Another verse that supports the Hadith is found in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:177), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves; [and who] establishes prayer and gives zakah; [those who] fulfill their promise when they promise; and [those who] are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous.

This verse emphasizes that true righteousness lies in one's faith in Allah and the principles of Islam, coupled with the performance of virtuous actions. It highlights the importance of combining belief with acts of kindness, charity, prayer, fulfilling promises, and patience in times of difficulty. Faith serves as the foundation upon which virtuous actions are built, and it is through this faith that we are guided towards righteousness.

Reflecting on the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), we understand that faith is not merely a passive belief, but an active force that propels us towards virtuous actions. It is through our faith in Allah, His Messenger (ﷺ), and the teachings of Islam that we find the motivation and inspiration to perform good deeds. Faith acts as a guiding light, illuminating the path of righteousness and leading us towards actions that please Allah.

Furthermore, this Hadith reminds us that faith is not an isolated concept, but rather intertwined with our actions. It is not enough to claim faith without demonstrating it through our deeds. Our actions should be a reflection of our faith, as they are the tangible evidence of our conviction and devotion to Allah.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that faith is the compass that directs us towards virtuous actions. It is through sincere belief in Allah and His teachings that we find the guidance and motivation to perform righteous deeds. Let us strive to strengthen our faith and align our actions with it, so that we may be among those who are guided towards the path of righteousness. May Allah grant us the ability to have unwavering faith and enable us to perform virtuous actions that please Him.