Hadith #1300

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, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) beautifully describes the qualities of a true believer. Let us delve into the exegesis of this profound Hadith and explore its meanings in light of the Quran.

The Hadith begins by stating,

A believer is one whose affair is near.

Here, the word "affair" refers to the connection and closeness of the believer to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It signifies the believer's constant awareness of Allah's presence and their deep connection to Him. This closeness is reflected in their unwavering faith, devotion, and reliance on Allah in all aspects of their life.

The Quran supports this concept of nearness to Allah in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 186, where Allah says,

And when My servants ask you concerning Me, indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me.

This verse emphasizes the proximity of Allah to His believers and His willingness to answer their prayers.

The Hadith further states,

whose sorrow is distant.

Here, the word "sorrow" refers to the worries, anxieties, and hardships that one faces in life. A true believer is not overwhelmed by these sorrows, as they have complete trust in Allah's plan and His ability to alleviate their distress. Their faith provides them with solace and comfort, enabling them to face challenges with patience and resilience.

The Quran beautifully illustrates this concept in Surah Al-Inshirah, verses 5-6, where Allah says,

Indeed, with hardship, there is relief. Indeed, with hardship, there is relief.

These verses assure the believers that after every difficulty, there is ease. Thus, a true believer recognizes that their sorrows are temporary and that Allah's mercy and relief are always near.

The Hadith continues,

whose silence is much.

This phrase highlights the virtue of restraint and control over one's speech. A true believer is cautious with their words, speaking only when necessary and avoiding idle talk or harmful speech. Their silence is a reflection of their wisdom, humility, and mindfulness of Allah's presence.

The Quran emphasizes the importance of guarding one's tongue in Surah Al-Qalam, verse 4, where Allah says,

And indeed, you are of a great moral character.

This verse praises the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) for his noble character, which includes his exemplary control over his speech. A true believer follows this example and understands the power and consequences of their words.

Finally, the Hadith states,

whose actions are sincere.

This phrase highlights the importance of sincerity in one's actions. A true believer performs their deeds solely for the sake of Allah, seeking His pleasure and not desiring any worldly recognition or reward. Their actions are driven by a genuine love for Allah and a deep sense of devotion.

The Quran emphasizes the significance of sincerity in Surah Al-Zumar, verse 3, where Allah says,

Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam.

This verse reminds us that true religion is based on sincerity and submission to Allah alone. A true believer embodies this sincerity in their actions, ensuring that their deeds are solely for the sake of Allah.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) beautifully encapsulates the qualities of a true believer. It emphasizes the believer's nearness to Allah, their detachment from worldly sorrows, their restraint in speech, and their sincerity in actions. These qualities are rooted in the teachings of the Quran, which guide and inspire Muslims to strive for excellence in their faith and character. May Allah grant us the ability to embody these qualities and be true believers in every aspect of our lives.