Hadith #2484

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all 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) states,

نَيْلُ المَ آثِرِ بِبَذْلِ المَكارِمِ۔

which translates to

Achievement of glorious feats is through performing noble deeds.

This wise utterance of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of engaging in virtuous actions in order to attain greatness and success in this world and the hereafter.

Let us delve into the key words of this Hadith to gain a deeper understanding. The word (nayl) "نَيْلُ" means to attain or achieve, while (al-ma'athir) "المَ آثِرِ" refers to glorious feats or great accomplishments. These accomplishments are not ordinary or trivial, but rather they hold significant value and importance. The word (bi-badl) "بِبَذْلِ" means through the act of giving or performing, and (al-makarim) "المَكارِمِ" refers to noble deeds or virtuous actions.

To support the exegesis of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 148:

So, for each [religious following] is a direction toward which it faces. So race to [all that is] good. Wherever you may be, Allah will bring you forth [for judgement] all together. Indeed, Allah is over all things competent.

This verse highlights the importance of striving towards goodness and righteousness, regardless of our circumstances or backgrounds. It is through our efforts in performing noble deeds that we can achieve greatness and success.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Mumtahanah, verse 8, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states:

Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes - from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.

This verse emphasizes the significance of treating others with kindness, justice, and fairness, regardless of their beliefs or actions. By engaging in noble deeds such as showing compassion, helping those in need, and promoting justice, we can achieve greatness and earn the love of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder for Muslims to actively engage in virtuous actions and noble deeds. It encourages us to go beyond the minimum requirements of our faith and strive for excellence in our character and conduct. By consistently performing acts of kindness, generosity, and justice, we not only benefit ourselves but also contribute positively to society.

The motivation behind engaging in noble deeds should stem from our love for Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and our desire to please Him. We should seek His pleasure and strive to follow the example set by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ). By emulating their noble qualities and embodying their teachings, we can achieve greatness in this world and the hereafter.

The consequences of neglecting noble deeds and virtuous actions are detrimental to our spiritual growth and development. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us in Surah Al-Asr, verse 2-3:

Indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.

This verse reminds us that true success lies in faith, righteous actions, and enjoining others towards truth and patience. Neglecting noble deeds can lead to spiritual stagnation and a loss of purpose in life.

Reflecting on Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement, we realize that achieving greatness and success is not solely based on external factors such as wealth, power, or status. Rather, it is through the consistent practice of noble deeds and virtuous actions that we can attain true greatness in the sight of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Let us strive to embody the teachings of Islam and actively engage in acts of kindness, justice, and compassion, for it is through these actions that we can achieve the highest levels of success and earn the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).