Hadith #5158

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:

شَرَفُ الْمُؤْمِنِ إيمانُهُ، وعِزُّهُ بِطاعَتِهِ۔

This can be translated as:

The honour of a believer is his faith and his prestige is by his obedience [to Allah].

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this profound Hadith by examining the key words and concepts it encompasses. The word (sharafu) "شَرَفُ" refers to honor, dignity, or nobility. It signifies the elevated status and distinction that a believer attains through their faith. (al-mu'min) "الْمُؤْمِنِ" refers to a believer, someone who has true faith in Allah and His teachings.

The Hadith further emphasizes that the honor of a believer lies in their faith, which highlights the significance of having a strong and unwavering belief in Allah. Faith is the foundation upon which a believer's entire life is built. It gives them a sense of purpose, guidance, and moral compass. It is through their faith that believers find solace, strength, and resilience in the face of challenges and trials.

To support this understanding, we find numerous verses in the Quran that highlight the importance of faith and its role in elevating the status of a believer. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:14):

The Bedouins say, 'We have believed.' Say, 'You have not [yet] believed; but say [instead], 'We have submitted,' for faith has not yet entered your hearts. And if you obey Allah and His Messenger, He will not deprive you from your deeds of anything. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

This verse emphasizes that true faith is not merely a claim, but it is a state of the heart that is reflected in one's actions and obedience to Allah. It is through sincere obedience and submission to Allah's commands that a believer attains honor and prestige.

The second part of the Hadith states that the prestige of a believer lies in their obedience to Allah. (izzuhu) "عِزُّهُ" refers to prestige, power, or authority. It signifies the strength and influence that a believer acquires through their obedience to Allah's commands. Obedience to Allah encompasses following His guidance, observing the obligatory acts of worship, and abstaining from what is forbidden.

Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of obedience in Surah Al-Imran (3:31):

Say, [O Muhammad], 'If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.'

This verse highlights that true obedience to Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ) is a manifestation of love for Allah. It is through this obedience that a believer gains the love and forgiveness of Allah, which in turn brings them honor and prestige.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that true honor and prestige are not attained through worldly possessions, wealth, or status. Rather, they are achieved through unwavering faith in Allah and sincere obedience to His commands. It is through our faith and obedience that we find true fulfillment, contentment, and success in this life and the hereafter.

Reflecting upon this Hadith, we are reminded of the importance of nurturing our faith and striving to increase our obedience to Allah. It serves as a motivation for us to continuously seek knowledge, deepen our understanding of Islam, and implement its teachings in our daily lives. By doing so, we can attain the honor and prestige that comes with being a true believer.

May Allah (تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength and guidance to strengthen our faith and increase our obedience to Him. May He bless us with the honor and prestige that comes from being true believers. Ameen.