Hadith #3261

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 Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

زَيْنُ الشِّيَمِ رَعْىُ الذِّمَمِ

which can be translated as,

The adornment of [all] traits is being careful [in fulfilling] the sureties.

Let us delve into the meanings of the key words in this Hadith. "Zayn" refers to adornment or beauty, while "shiyam" refers to traits or characteristics. "Ra'yu" means to take care or be cautious, and "thimmah" refers to sureties or obligations.

To understand the profound wisdom behind this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Ma'idah, verse 1:

O you who have believed, fulfill [all] contracts.

This verse emphasizes the importance of fulfilling our obligations and keeping our promises. It highlights the significance of being trustworthy and reliable in all aspects of our lives.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Isra, verse 34, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And fulfill every commitment. Indeed, the commitment is ever [that about which one will be] questioned.

This verse reminds us that every commitment we make, whether it is a promise to another person or a covenant with Allah, will be questioned and held accountable for on the Day of Judgment.

Now, let us reflect on the exegesis of the Hadith itself. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, teaches us that the true adornment of our character lies in fulfilling our obligations and being careful in upholding our commitments. Just as a beautiful piece of jewelry enhances one's appearance, being trustworthy and fulfilling our promises enhances our character and earns us the respect and trust of others.

When we fulfill our sureties, we demonstrate integrity, honesty, and responsibility. We become individuals who can be relied upon, and our actions align with the teachings of Islam. This not only benefits us individually but also contributes to the well-being of society as a whole. Trust is the foundation of any successful relationship, whether it is between individuals, communities, or nations. By being careful in fulfilling our obligations, we foster an environment of trust and harmony.

The consequences of neglecting our sureties can be detrimental. It can lead to broken relationships, loss of trust, and a tarnished reputation. Moreover, it can have spiritual consequences as well. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) holds us accountable for our actions and our fulfillment of our commitments. Neglecting our obligations not only harms our worldly affairs but also jeopardizes our spiritual growth and our relationship with Allah.

Let us reflect on our own lives and evaluate how well we fulfill our sureties. Are we careful in upholding our commitments to our families, friends, colleagues, and society at large? Are we trustworthy and reliable individuals? Are we fulfilling our obligations to Allah, such as our prayers, fasting, and acts of charity?

By striving to fulfill our sureties, we not only beautify our character but also strengthen our relationship with Allah and our fellow Muslims. Let us remember that the true adornment of our traits lies in being careful in fulfilling our obligations, for it is through this that we attain true beauty and righteousness in the sight of Allah. May Allah guide us all to be people of integrity and fulfill our sureties with excellence.