Hadith #3166

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 Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states, "أخْلِصُوا إذا عَمِلْتُمْ۔" which translates to

Be sincere when you perform an action [and do it only for the pleasure of Allah].

This beautiful Hadith emphasizes the importance of sincerity in our actions and serves as a reminder for Muslims to always prioritize the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in everything they do.

The word (ikhlasu) "أخْلِصُوا" in this Hadith refers to sincerity. It is derived from the root word (khalasa) "خَلَصَ", which means to purify or to make something pure. In the context of this Hadith, it signifies purifying one's intentions and actions solely for the sake of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). This concept of sincerity is not only emphasized in this Hadith but is also mentioned in the Quran.

Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Zumar (39:11-14),

Say, 'Indeed, I have been commanded to worship Allah, sincere in my religion. And I was commanded to be the first [among you] of the Muslims.' Say, 'Indeed I fear, if I should disobey my Lord, the punishment of a tremendous Day.' Say, 'Allah [alone] do I worship, sincere to Him in my religion.'

These verses highlight the importance of sincerity in worship and obedience to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) himself exemplified this sincerity in his actions, as he was commanded to worship Allah alone and to be sincere in his religion. Similarly, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises Muslims to be sincere in their actions, just as he himself was known for his unwavering devotion and sincerity towards Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Sincerity in our actions is not limited to acts of worship alone; it encompasses all aspects of our lives. Whether it is our work, relationships, or daily interactions, we should strive to be sincere and seek the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in everything we do. This sincerity brings about numerous benefits and blessings in our lives.

When we perform actions with sincerity, it strengthens our connection with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and increases our faith. It allows us to align our intentions with the teachings of Islam and seek His pleasure above all else. Sincerity also helps us maintain consistency and steadfastness in our actions, as we are driven by a genuine desire to please Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) rather than seeking recognition or worldly gains.

Furthermore, sincerity in our actions has a positive impact on our relationships with others. When we are sincere, we treat others with kindness, honesty, and fairness. This fosters trust and strengthens the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood within the Muslim community. Sincerity also enables us to be more compassionate and empathetic towards others, as we genuinely care for their well-being and strive to help them for the sake of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

On the other hand, insincerity in our actions leads to hypocrisy and spiritual decay. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns against hypocrisy in the Quran, stating in Surah Al-Munafiqun (63:3),

That is because they believed, and then they disbelieved; so their hearts were sealed over, and they do not understand.

Hypocrisy tarnishes the purity of our intentions and actions, and it distances us from the mercy and blessings of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to be sincere in their actions and to prioritize the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) above all else. Sincerity brings about numerous benefits and blessings in our lives, strengthening our connection with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), improving our relationships with others, and increasing our faith. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to be sincere in all our actions and bless us with His eternal pleasure.