Hadith #8988

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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

لَنْ يُجْديَ القَوْلُ حَتّى يَتَّصِلَ بِالفِعْلِ۔

This can be translated as,

Speech will never be beneficial unless it is joined with action.

Let us delve into the meaning of this beautiful Hadith. The word (qawl) "قَوْلُ" refers to speech or words, while (yujdi) "يُجْديَ" means to be beneficial or effective. (hatta) "حَتَّى" signifies the condition or requirement for something to occur, and (yattasil) "يَتَّصِلَ" means to be connected or joined. Lastly, (bil-fi'l) "بِالفِعْلِ" refers to action or deeds.

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of aligning our words with our actions. It highlights that mere speech or words alone are not enough to bring about any real benefit or positive change. True benefit and effectiveness can only be achieved when our words are backed by corresponding actions.

The Quran provides us with numerous verses that support this Hadith and shed light on its deeper meaning. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Asr (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 emphasizes the importance of not only believing but also doing righteous deeds. Belief alone is not sufficient; it must be accompanied by actions that reflect that belief. Similarly, 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.

This verse emphasizes the importance of refraining from ridiculing and insulting others. It teaches us to be mindful of our words and to use them in a way that promotes unity and respect. However, it is not enough to simply refrain from negative speech; we must also actively engage in positive actions that promote harmony and understanding among people.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder that our words hold weight and have consequences. If we speak without taking action, our words become empty and lose their impact. On the other hand, when our words are aligned with our actions, they become powerful tools for positive change and transformation.

For example, if we advocate for justice and equality but fail to actively work towards achieving these goals, our words lose their effectiveness. However, when we speak out against injustice and actively engage in actions that promote equality, our words become a catalyst for positive change.

This Hadith also highlights the importance of sincerity in our actions. It is not enough to simply perform actions for the sake of appearance or to please others. Our actions must be rooted in sincerity and a genuine desire to please Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Kahf (18:110),

Say, 'I am only a man like you, to whom has been revealed that your god is one God. So whoever would hope for the meeting with his Lord - let him do righteous work and not associate in the worship of his Lord anyone.'

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to align their words with their actions. It emphasizes that true benefit and effectiveness can only be achieved when our speech is connected to our deeds. By reflecting on this Hadith and implementing its teachings in our lives, we can strive to be individuals who not only speak the truth but also actively work towards embodying it. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to be people of action and sincerity.