Hadith #4938

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 righteous companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the qualities of a true and exemplary Muslim. Let us delve into the exegesis of this profound statement and explore its implications in light of the Quran.

The Hadith begins with Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) stating that the best Muslim is the one whose efforts are directed towards their Hereafter. This implies that a true believer should prioritize their spiritual growth and focus on actions that will benefit them in the eternal life. This notion aligns with the teachings of the Quran, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of seeking the pleasure of Allah and striving for the Hereafter.

Allah says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:201):

And of them are some who say, 'Our Lord, give us in this world,' and they will have no share in the Hereafter.

This verse highlights the danger of being solely concerned with worldly gains and neglecting the Hereafter. The best Muslim, as described by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), is the one who recognizes the transient nature of this world and focuses on actions that will benefit them in the eternal life.

Furthermore, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) mentions that the fear of Allah's wrath should be balanced with hope in His mercy. This balance is crucial in the life of a believer. Excessive fear without hope can lead to despair, while excessive hope without fear can lead to complacency. The Quran beautifully illustrates this balance in Surah Al-A'raf (7:56):

And cause not corruption upon the earth after its reformation. And invoke Him in fear and aspiration. Indeed, the mercy of Allah is near to the doers of good.

This verse emphasizes the importance of invoking Allah with both fear and aspiration. Fear reminds us of the consequences of our actions and keeps us away from sin, while hope in Allah's mercy motivates us to seek forgiveness and strive for righteousness. The best Muslim, as described by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), is the one who strikes a balance between these two emotions, recognizing the need for both in their spiritual journey.

To exemplify this concept, let us consider the story of Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) in the Quran. When faced with the temptation of Zulaykha, he feared Allah's wrath and said in Surah Yusuf (12:33):

Indeed, prison is more to my liking than that to which they invite me. And if You do not avert from me their plan, I might incline toward them and [thus] be of the ignorant.

Prophet Yusuf's fear of Allah's displeasure enabled him to resist the temptation and maintain his righteousness.

On the other hand, we find numerous verses in the Quran that highlight Allah's mercy and forgiveness. For example, in Surah Az-Zumar (39:53), Allah says:

Say, 'O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.'

This verse assures us that no matter how grave our sins may be, Allah's mercy is vast and encompassing.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that the best Muslim is the one who prioritizes their Hereafter and strikes a balance between fear and hope. By focusing on actions that will benefit us in the eternal life and maintaining a balanced perspective of Allah's wrath and mercy, we can strive to become true and exemplary believers. May Allah guide us all on the path of righteousness and grant us success in this world and the Hereafter.