Hadith #3974

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his family, his companions, and the righteous successors.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

Know that the beginning of religion is submission and its end is sincere devotion.

This impactful saying highlights two fundamental aspects of faith: submission and sincerity.

The word (tasleem) "تَسْلِيمُ" in Arabic refers to submission or surrendering oneself completely to the will of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It encompasses the idea of acknowledging and accepting the authority and guidance of Allah in all aspects of life. This submission is not merely a passive act, but an active process of aligning one's actions, thoughts, and desires with the commandments of Allah.

The importance of submission can be found in the Quran in numerous verses. For example, Allah says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:208),

O you who have believed, enter into peace completely and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.

This verse emphasizes the need for complete submission to Allah's guidance, without allowing any room for the influence of Satan.

Furthermore, the word (ikhlaas) "إِخْلَاصُ" in Arabic means sincerity or purity of intention. It refers to the act of performing actions solely for the sake of Allah, without any ulterior motives or seeking worldly gains. Sincere devotion entails dedicating one's worship, prayers, and deeds solely to please Allah, without seeking recognition or praise from others.

The Quran repeatedly emphasizes the importance of sincerity in worship. In Surah Al-Zumar (39:3), Allah says,

Unquestionably, for Allah is the pure religion. And those who take protectors besides Him [say], 'We only worship them that they may bring us nearer to Allah in position.' Indeed, Allah will judge between them concerning that over which they differ. Indeed, Allah does not guide he who is a liar and [confirmed] disbeliever.

This verse highlights the purity of religion and warns against associating partners with Allah, which is a clear violation of sincerity.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement emphasizes that submission and sincerity are not separate entities, but rather interconnected aspects of faith. True submission to Allah requires sincere devotion, and sincere devotion cannot exist without complete submission. When one submits to Allah's will with sincerity, they are able to attain a higher level of spirituality and closeness to Allah.

This Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to continuously strive towards perfecting their submission and sincerity in their worship and daily lives. It encourages us to reflect on our intentions and ensure that our actions are solely for the sake of Allah. By doing so, we can strengthen our relationship with Allah and attain the ultimate goal of faith.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that the essence of religion lies in complete submission to Allah and sincere devotion. It reminds us to align our actions and intentions with the commandments of Allah, seeking His pleasure alone. May Allah grant us the ability to submit to Him wholeheartedly and worship Him with utmost sincerity.