Hadith #1767

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. May peace and blessings be upon the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his progeny, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

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

نَيْلُ الجَنَّةِ بِالتَّنَزُّهِ عَنِ المَآثِمِ۔

This can be translated as,

Paradise is attained through abstaining from sins.

In this enlightening saying, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of avoiding sinful actions in order to attain Paradise.

To delve deeper into the meaning of this Hadith, let us first examine the key words. "نَيْلُ الجَنَّةِ" refers to the attainment of Paradise, the ultimate reward for believers in the Hereafter. "بِالتَّنَزُّهِ" means through abstaining or refraining from something, in this case, sins. And "المَآثِمِ" refers to sins or transgressions.

The Quran provides numerous verses that emphasize the significance of abstaining from sins and the consequences of indulging in them. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Imran (3:135),

And those who, when they commit an immorality or wrong themselves, remember Allah and seek forgiveness for their sins - and who can forgive sins except Allah? - and [who] do not persist in what they have done while they know.

This verse highlights the importance of seeking forgiveness from Allah when one commits a sin and not persisting in it.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-A'raf (7:33), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns,

Say, 'My Lord has only forbidden immoralities - what is apparent of them and what is concealed - and sin, and oppression without right, and that you associate with Allah that for which He has not sent down authority, and that you say about Allah that which you do not know.'

This verse emphasizes the prohibition of immoral actions and sins, both those that are apparent and those that are hidden.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder to Muslims of the importance of self-restraint and self-discipline. It urges believers to consciously avoid engaging in sinful acts and to strive for moral excellence. By abstaining from sins, one purifies their soul and strengthens their relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

The consequences of indulging in sins are manifold. Sins distance us from Allah and tarnish our spiritual state. They weaken our connection with the Divine and hinder our progress towards attaining Paradise. Moreover, sins have negative effects on our character, relationships, and society as a whole. They lead to guilt, regret, and the erosion of moral values.

By refraining from sins, we cultivate virtues such as self-control, humility, and righteousness. This, in turn, leads to personal growth and a positive impact on our surroundings. Abstaining from sins allows us to develop a strong moral compass and become individuals who contribute positively to society.

Reflecting on Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement, we should strive to be mindful of our actions and constantly seek to improve ourselves. We should be vigilant in avoiding sins and seek forgiveness from Allah when we falter. Let us remember that Paradise is the ultimate reward, and it can only be attained through sincere efforts to abstain from sins and lead a righteous life.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength and guidance to abstain from sins and attain Paradise. May He bless us with the ability to continuously purify our souls and strive for moral excellence. And may we be among those who are granted entry into the eternal bliss of Paradise.