Hadith #10916

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 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,

مَنْ زادَ وَرَعُهُ نَقَصَ إثْمُهُ۔

This can be translated as,

One whose piety increases, his sins decrease.

In this amazing Hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the direct correlation between the increase in one's piety and the decrease in their sins.

Let us delve into the meaning of the key words in this Hadith. (zada) "زادَ" means to increase or grow, while (wara'uhu) "وَرَعُهُ" refers to piety, righteousness, and fear of Allah. Finally, (naqasa) "نَقَصَ" signifies a decrease or reduction, and (ithmuhu) "إثْمُهُ" refers to sins or transgressions.

To further understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:13),

O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous among you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.

This verse emphasizes that the most honorable and noble individuals in the sight of Allah are those who possess righteousness and piety. It is clear that the increase in piety leads to a decrease in sins, as mentioned in the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). When one's consciousness of Allah and fear of Him intensify, their actions and choices become more aligned with the teachings of Islam. Consequently, they refrain from committing sins and engage in acts of obedience and worship.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Anfal (8:29), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

O you who have believed, if you fear Allah, He will grant you a criterion and will remove from you your misdeeds and forgive you. And Allah is the possessor of great bounty.

This verse reinforces the idea that increasing in piety and fear of Allah leads to the reduction of sins. When a person sincerely fears Allah and strives to please Him, Allah grants them the ability to distinguish between right and wrong, enabling them to make choices that align with His commands. As a result, their sins are removed, and they are granted forgiveness and mercy from Allah.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to continuously strive for piety and righteousness. By increasing our consciousness of Allah and seeking to improve our relationship with Him, we can actively reduce our sins and seek forgiveness. This Hadith also highlights the transformative power of piety in an individual's life. As one's piety increases, their actions, intentions, and character are purified, leading to a decrease in sinful behavior.

It is important to note that the decrease in sins is not merely a consequence of piety, but also a motivation for Muslims to continuously work towards increasing their piety. This virtuous cycle of piety and reduction in sins creates a positive feedback loop, where the individual becomes more inclined towards righteousness and further distances themselves from sinful acts.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that as our piety increases, our sins decrease. This concept is supported by various Quranic verses that emphasize the importance of righteousness and fear of Allah. By striving to increase our piety, we can actively reduce our sins and seek forgiveness from Allah. Let us reflect on this profound teaching and work towards strengthening our relationship with Allah, so that we may attain His pleasure and mercy. May Allah guide us all on the path of righteousness and grant us success in this life and the hereafter.