Hadith #8387

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 purified progeny, and his noble companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us not to perform a recommended act (nafilah) during the time of an obligatory act (faridah). Instead, we should prioritize the obligatory act and then perform the recommended act afterwards. This guidance emphasizes the importance of fulfilling our obligations before engaging in additional acts of worship.

To understand the significance of this advice, let us delve into the meanings of the key words in the Hadith. The word "nafilah" refers to the supererogatory acts of worship that are performed voluntarily to earn additional rewards from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). These acts are not obligatory but highly recommended. On the other hand, "faridah" refers to the obligatory acts of worship that are prescribed by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and must be fulfilled by every Muslim.

The wisdom behind Imam Ali's advice can be found in the Quran. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:43):

And establish prayer and give zakah and bow with those who bow [in worship and obedience].

This verse highlights the importance of establishing the obligatory acts of prayer and giving zakah, which are both faridah. By prioritizing these obligations, we demonstrate our submission and obedience to Allah's commands.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Ma'arij (70:22-23), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

Those who fulfill their obligations and keep away from what is forbidden, and those who believe in the Day of Judgment.

This verse emphasizes the significance of fulfilling our obligations and refraining from what is forbidden. By prioritizing the faridah over the nafilah, we demonstrate our commitment to fulfilling our obligations and avoiding what is prohibited.

Imam Ali's advice serves as a reminder for us to maintain the proper order and balance in our worship. Fulfilling our obligations first ensures that we have fulfilled our duties towards Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and our fellow Muslims. It also helps us to develop discipline and consistency in our worship.

Moreover, prioritizing the faridah over the nafilah helps us to avoid potential conflicts and confusion in our worship. Imagine a scenario where a person is performing a recommended act of prayer while the time for the obligatory prayer is about to end. By following Imam Ali's advice, we would prioritize the obligatory prayer and ensure that it is performed within its prescribed time. This not only fulfills our duty towards Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), but also prevents any potential regret or missed opportunities.

Additionally, Imam Ali's advice encourages us to be mindful of our intentions and motivations in our worship. By prioritizing the faridah, we ensure that our worship is solely for the sake of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and not driven by personal desires or preferences. This helps us to cultivate sincerity and humility in our worship, seeking only the pleasure and acceptance of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the importance of prioritizing the obligatory acts of worship over the recommended acts. By fulfilling our obligations first, we demonstrate our obedience and submission to Allah's commands. This advice helps us to maintain order and balance in our worship, avoid conflicts and confusion, and cultivate sincerity and humility in our relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to prioritize our obligations and engage in acts of worship that are pleasing to Him.