Hadith #7787

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, and his noble companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of aligning one's actions with their knowledge and words. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states that it is disgraceful for a person to possess knowledge but fail to act upon it, or to speak eloquently but not follow through with their actions.

Let us delve deeper into the words used in this Hadith. The word (yaqbuhu) "يَقْبُحُ" means "it is shameful" or "it is disgraceful." This indicates that falling short in actions compared to one's knowledge and words is not only undesirable but also carries a sense of moral and spiritual disgrace.

The word (amaluhu) "عَمَلُهُ" refers to a person's deeds or actions. It encompasses all the actions that an individual performs, whether they are physical acts or acts of the heart and mind. It includes acts of worship, acts of kindness, and acts of righteousness.

The word (ilmih) "عِلْمِهِ" refers to a person's knowledge. It encompasses both religious and worldly knowledge. In the context of this Hadith, it refers to religious knowledge, particularly knowledge of the teachings of Islam and the Quran.

The word (ya'jiza) "يَعْجِزَ" means "to be incapable" or "to be unable." It signifies the inability of a person's actions to match their words. It implies a lack of sincerity and integrity in one's character.

The word (fi'luhu) "فِعْلُهُ" refers to a person's actions. It includes both physical actions and verbal expressions. It encompasses all the deeds that a person performs, whether they are visible to others or hidden from view.

To understand the impactful message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of aligning one's actions with their knowledge and words in several verses.

In Surah Al-Asr (Chapter 103), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 103:1-3)

By time, indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.

This verse highlights the importance of not only believing but also acting righteously and advising others to do the same.

In Surah Al-Hujurat (Chapter 49), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 49:2-3)

O you who have believed, why do you say what you do not do? Great is hatred in the sight of Allah that you say what you do not do.

This verse admonishes those who speak without acting accordingly, emphasizing the importance of aligning one's words with their actions.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to strive for consistency and integrity in their character. It encourages us to ensure that our actions reflect the knowledge we possess and the words we speak. It reminds us that true righteousness lies in embodying the teachings of Islam and living by them.

When a person's actions fall short of their knowledge and their words do not match their deeds, it creates a discrepancy that undermines their credibility and moral standing. It weakens the impact of their knowledge and diminishes the effectiveness of their words. Conversely, when a person's actions align with their knowledge and their words are consistent with their deeds, they become a beacon of guidance and inspiration for others.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith urges us to reflect upon our own lives and strive for self-improvement. It reminds us to constantly evaluate our actions and ensure that they are in line with the knowledge we possess. It encourages us to be sincere in our words and to back them up with righteous actions.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to align their actions with their knowledge and to ensure that their words are consistent with their deeds. It emphasizes the importance of integrity, sincerity, and righteousness in our character. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to embody the teachings of Islam in our actions and words, and may He guide us on the path of righteousness.