Hadith #9467

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. 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 an important aspect of the religion of Islam. He compares the religion of a person to the licking of their tongue, indicating that for many individuals, religion has become a mere superficial practice, lacking depth and sincerity. Just as the tongue is constantly in motion, the religion of some people has become a mere habit, devoid of true understanding and reflection.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further elaborates on this by stating that religion has become a pastime for those who are free from their worldly responsibilities. It has become a secondary pursuit, something to engage in when one has spare time or when it is convenient. This highlights a lack of commitment and dedication to the principles and teachings of Islam.

The phrase

and has gained the approval of his master

emphasizes the importance of seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in our religious practices. It is not enough to engage in religious rituals and acts of worship without seeking the approval and acceptance of our Creator. True faith requires a sincere and genuine desire to please Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in all aspects of our lives.

To further understand the impactful message of this hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:14):

The bedouins say, 'We have believed.' Say, 'You have not [yet] believed; but say [instead], 'We have submitted,' for faith has not yet entered your hearts. And if you obey Allah and His Messenger, He will not deprive you from your deeds of anything. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

This verse highlights the importance of true faith that resides in the heart, rather than mere verbal claims of belief. It emphasizes the need for sincere submission to the commands of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and His Messenger (ﷺ). Merely going through the motions of religious practices without true faith and understanding is not sufficient.

In Surah Al-Ma'un (107:4-7), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

So woe to those who pray, [But] who are heedless of their prayer - Those who make show [of their deeds] And withhold [simple] assistance.

These verses highlight the importance of sincerity in our acts of worship. It is not enough to merely perform the outward rituals of prayer, but rather, we must be mindful and present in our prayers, with a deep understanding of its significance. Similarly, our religious practices should not be done for show or to gain recognition from others, but rather, they should be done solely for the sake of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Reflecting on the hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in light of these Quranic verses, we understand that true religion is not a superficial habit or a pastime, but rather, it is a deeply rooted belief and a way of life that encompasses all aspects of our existence. It requires sincerity, dedication, and a genuine desire to seek the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in all that we do.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the understanding and the ability to practice our religion with sincerity and devotion. May He guide us to true faith and help us to avoid superficiality in our religious practices. Ameen.