Hadith #3191

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,

مَنْ أخْلَصَ لِلّهِ اسْتَظْهَرَ لِمَعاشِهِ ومَعادِهِ۔

This can be translated as,

One who devotes himself sincerely to Allah gains support for his life in this world and his Hereafter.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this thought-provoking Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). The key words in this Hadith are (akhlasa) "أخْلَصَ", which means to be sincere, and (istazhara) "استَظْهَرَ", which means to gain support or assistance.

To understand the significance of sincerity in devotion to Allah, we turn to the Quran. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Zumar (39:3),

Is it not to Allah that sincere devotion is due?

This verse emphasizes that true devotion and sincerity should be directed solely towards Allah. When one devotes themselves sincerely to Allah, they detach themselves from worldly desires and focus solely on pleasing Him.

The second part of the Hadith highlights the consequences of sincere devotion. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states that such a person will gain support for their life in this world and the Hereafter. This support can manifest in various forms, such as guidance, protection, and blessings from Allah.

In the Quran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) assures us of His support for those who are sincere in their devotion. In Surah Al-Ankabut (29:69), Allah says,

And those who strive in Our cause, We will surely guide them to Our ways. And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good.

This verse emphasizes that Allah supports those who sincerely strive in His cause, guiding them towards righteousness and success.

The support gained through sincere devotion to Allah extends beyond this worldly life. In the Hereafter, those who were sincere in their worship will be rewarded with eternal bliss and salvation. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Nahl (16:97),

Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer - We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do.

This verse assures us that sincere devotion to Allah leads to a good life in this world and an everlasting reward in the Hereafter.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder to Muslims of the importance of sincerity in their worship. It encourages us to detach ourselves from worldly distractions and focus solely on pleasing Allah. By doing so, we not only gain support and assistance in this life but also secure our place in the Hereafter.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we should strive to purify our intentions and ensure that our worship is solely for the sake of Allah. We should seek His support and guidance in all aspects of our lives, knowing that true success lies in sincere devotion to Him. May Allah grant us the ability to be sincere in our worship and may He support us in this world and the Hereafter.