Hadith #7686

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

بِالعَمَلِ تَحْصُلُ الجَنَّةُ لا بِالأمَلِ

which translates to,

It is through action that Paradise is achieved, not through hope.

This impactful saying emphasizes the importance of taking practical steps and engaging in righteous deeds in order to attain Paradise, rather than relying solely on wishful thinking or mere hope.

Let us delve deeper into the key words of this Hadith to gain a better understanding. The word (amal) "عَمَلِ" refers to action or deed, while (tahsul) "تَحْصُلُ" means to attain or achieve. The word (jannah) "جَنَّةُ" refers to Paradise, the eternal abode of bliss and reward. Lastly, the word (amal) "أمَلِ" signifies hope or expectation.

To support the exegesis of this Hadith, we turn to the Quran, which provides numerous verses that emphasize the importance of action and deeds in attaining Paradise. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 25:

And give good tidings to those who believe and do righteous deeds that they will have gardens [in Paradise] beneath which rivers flow.

This verse clearly highlights the correlation between belief, righteous deeds, and the reward of Paradise.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Kahf, verse 30, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states:

Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds - indeed, We will not allow to be lost the reward of any who did well in deeds.

This verse emphasizes that the reward for righteous deeds will not be overlooked or disregarded by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

The exegesis of this Hadith highlights the significance of action and deeds in the journey towards Paradise. Mere hope and wishful thinking alone are insufficient to attain the ultimate reward. Muslims are encouraged to actively engage in acts of worship, obedience, and service to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and His creation.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his profound knowledge and wisdom, reminds us that our actions are the key to unlocking the gates of Paradise. It is through our sincere efforts, consistent practice of good deeds, and adherence to the teachings of Islam that we can hope to attain the eternal bliss of Paradise.

This Hadith serves as a motivation for Muslims to actively seek opportunities to perform righteous deeds and strive for excellence in all aspects of their lives. It encourages us to be proactive in our pursuit of goodness, righteousness, and piety. By embodying the teachings of Islam and implementing them in our daily lives, we can hope to attain the ultimate reward of Paradise.

Conversely, this Hadith also serves as a reminder of the consequences of neglecting our actions. Merely hoping for Paradise without taking the necessary steps to earn it is futile. It is incumbent upon us to reflect upon our actions and ensure that they align with the teachings of Islam. Neglecting our duties and relying solely on hope can lead to missed opportunities and potential regrets in the Hereafter.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of action and deeds in attaining Paradise. It serves as a reminder for Muslims to actively engage in righteous acts and strive for excellence in all aspects of their lives. By embodying the teachings of Islam and consistently practicing good deeds, we can hope to achieve the ultimate reward of Paradise. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to act upon this wisdom and guide us on the path of righteousness.