Hadith #10882

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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

أفْسَدَ دينَهُ مَنْ تَعَرّى عَنِ الوَرَعِ

which translates to

He who divests himself of piety has corrupted his faith.

Let us delve into the connotation of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (ta'arra) "تَعَرّى" in this Hadith means to divest or strip oneself of something. In this context, it refers to someone abandoning or neglecting the practice of piety or righteousness. The word (al-wara') "الوَرَعِ" refers to the state of being cautious and mindful of Allah's commands, avoiding anything that may lead to sin or disobedience.

To 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 (أَتْقَاكُمْ). Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.

This verse emphasizes the importance of righteousness and piety in the sight of Allah. It highlights that true nobility and superiority lie not in one's lineage or wealth, but in their level of taqwa (piety). Therefore, when a person divests themselves of piety, they are essentially abandoning the very essence of their faith and corrupting their religion.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:197), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) commands the believers to observe the rituals of Hajj, saying,

And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is taqwa (piety). So fear Me, O you of understanding.

This verse highlights that the ultimate provision for the journey of life is taqwa. It is through piety and mindfulness of Allah's commands that one can navigate the challenges of life and safeguard their faith. By divesting oneself of piety, a person is depriving themselves of the best provision and putting their faith at risk.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to constantly strive for righteousness and piety. It warns against neglecting the practice of taqwa, as it can lead to the corruption of one's faith. When a person abandons piety, they open themselves up to the influences of their desires, worldly temptations, and the whispers of Shaytan.

The consequences of abandoning piety are manifold. It can lead to a decline in moral values, a weakening of the relationship with Allah, and a deviation from the path of righteousness. It can also result in the loss of blessings and spiritual growth in this world and the Hereafter.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we are reminded of the importance of continuously nurturing our piety and striving to uphold the principles of Islam. It is through taqwa that we can strengthen our faith, purify our hearts, and attain closeness to Allah. By embodying the qualities of piety, we can navigate the challenges of life with wisdom, integrity, and righteousness.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to never abandon or neglect the practice of piety. It highlights the importance of taqwa in preserving and safeguarding our faith. By constantly striving to uphold the principles of righteousness, we can protect ourselves from the corruption of faith and attain true success in this world and the Hereafter. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to embody piety and strengthen our faith.