Hadith #1248

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 noble companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the essence of faith and its adornments. It states,

The embellishment of faith is [in] purity of one’s innermost thoughts [and secrets] and [performing] good deeds in the open.

Let us delve into the profound meanings of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (zeen) "زَيْنُ" in Arabic means adornment or embellishment. It refers to beautifying something and making it more attractive. In this context, it signifies the enhancement of faith. Faith is not merely a belief held in the heart, but it should manifest itself in one's actions and thoughts. This is beautifully captured in the phrase (taharat al-sarair) "طَهارَةُ السَّرائرِ", which translates to purity of one's innermost thoughts and secrets.

The Quran emphasizes the importance of purifying one's inner self in Surah Al-Qiyamah (75:14-15), where Allah says,

No! I swear by the self-reproaching soul. Does man think that We will not assemble his bones? Yes, We are Able to put together in perfect order the tips of his fingers.

This verse highlights the accountability of our innermost thoughts and secrets. It reminds us that Allah is fully aware of our intentions and desires, and we will be held accountable for them.

Furthermore, the Hadith emphasizes the significance of performing good deeds openly, as stated in the phrase (husn al-amal fi al-zahir)

وَحُسْنُ العَمَلِ فيِ الظَّاهِرِ

This means that our actions should reflect our faith and be in accordance with the teachings of Islam. The Quran repeatedly emphasizes the importance of good deeds and their manifestation in the physical realm. In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:177), Allah 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.

Performing good deeds openly not only serves as a means of spreading goodness and inspiring others, but it also strengthens our own faith. When our actions align with our beliefs, it reinforces our conviction and deepens our connection with Allah. It is a reflection of the sincerity and authenticity of our faith.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that faith is not confined to rituals or mere verbal expressions. It encompasses the purification of our innermost thoughts and secrets, as well as the embodiment of good deeds in our outward actions. When our inner self is pure and our actions are righteous, our faith becomes adorned and complete.

This Hadith reminds us of the importance of self-reflection and self-improvement. It encourages us to constantly evaluate our intentions and actions, striving to align them with the teachings of Islam. By purifying our inner selves and performing good deeds openly, we not only enhance our own faith but also contribute to the betterment of society.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to adorn our faith with purity of thoughts and actions. May He guide us to continuously strive for self-improvement and righteousness. Ameen.