Hadith #1317

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, and his noble companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

Verily a believer feels ashamed if an act which goes against his faith is committed by him.

This Hadith highlights the deep sense of shame and remorse that a true believer experiences when they commit an action that contradicts the principles of their faith.

Let us delve into the meaning of some important words in this Hadith. The word (mu'min) "مؤمن" refers to a believer, someone who has complete faith and conviction in Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and His teachings. The word (yastahyi) "يستحيي" comes from the root word (hayaa) "حياء", which means shame or modesty. In this context, it signifies the feeling of shame and regret that a believer experiences when they commit an action that contradicts their faith.

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of maintaining consistency between one's actions and their faith. It highlights the inner struggle that a believer goes through when they find themselves acting in a manner that is contrary to the principles and values of their religion. This feeling of shame and remorse is a sign of a sincere and conscious believer who is deeply aware of the consequences of their actions.

The Quran provides us with numerous verses that support the message of this Hadith. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-A'raf (7:26),

O children of Adam, We have bestowed upon you clothing to conceal your private parts and as adornment. But the clothing of righteousness - that is best. That is from the signs of Allah that perhaps they will remember.

This verse highlights the importance of adorning oneself with righteousness and virtuous deeds, which is the true clothing of a believer.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:11), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name of disobedience after [one's] faith. And whoever does not repent - then it is those who are the wrongdoers.

This verse highlights the importance of refraining from actions that contradict the principles of faith and warns against insulting or ridiculing others.

Reflecting on the Hadith, we can understand that a true believer is deeply conscious of their actions and strives to align them with their faith. When they find themselves committing an act that goes against their beliefs, they feel a sense of shame and remorse. This feeling is a sign of their sincerity and their commitment to living a life in accordance with the teachings of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

This Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to constantly evaluate their actions and ensure that they are in line with their faith. It encourages believers to strive for consistency between their beliefs and their deeds, and to seek forgiveness and repentance when they fall short. By doing so, they can maintain a strong connection with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and continue to grow in their faith.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength and guidance to always act in accordance with our faith and to feel a deep sense of shame and remorse when we fall short. May He forgive our shortcomings and help us in our journey towards becoming better believers.