Hadith #8378

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 our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

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

المُتَقَرِّبُ بِأداءِ الفَرائِضِ والنَّوافِلِ مُتَضاعِفُ الأرْباحِ۔

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of seeking nearness to Allah by fulfilling both the obligatory (faraidh) and recommended (nawafil) acts of worship. Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The term (mutaqarrab) "مُتَقَرِّبُ" refers to the one who seeks nearness to Allah. This word comes from the root word (qaraba) "قَرَبَ", which means to come close or draw near. In the context of this Hadith, it signifies the act of seeking closeness to Allah through acts of worship. This includes fulfilling both the obligatory acts (faraidh) that are explicitly commanded by Allah, as well as the recommended acts (nawafil) that are encouraged but not obligatory.

The word (ada) "أداءِ" means to perform or fulfill. It signifies the act of carrying out the obligations and recommended acts of worship with sincerity and devotion. By fulfilling the obligations, one fulfills the rights of Allah upon them, while by performing the recommended acts, one goes beyond the minimum requirements and seeks to attain a higher level of closeness to Allah.

The term (al-faraidh) "الفَرائِضِ" refers to the obligatory acts of worship that have been prescribed by Allah. These include the five daily prayers, fasting in the month of Ramadan, giving Zakat, and performing Hajj for those who are able. These acts are obligatory upon every Muslim and form the foundation of their faith.

The term (an-nawafil) "النَّوافِلِ" refers to the recommended acts of worship that are not obligatory but are highly encouraged. These include voluntary prayers, giving voluntary charity, fasting on Mondays and Thursdays, and performing the night prayer (Tahajjud), among others. These acts are a means of earning additional rewards and seeking nearness to Allah.

The Hadith states that the one who seeks nearness to Allah by fulfilling both the obligatory and recommended acts of worship will have their gains doubled. This means that their rewards and blessings will be multiplied manifold. This concept is beautifully expressed in the Quran, where Allah promises abundant rewards for those who go beyond the minimum requirements and strive to excel in their worship.

Allah says in Surah Al-Muzzammil (73:20):

Indeed, your Lord knows that you stand [in prayer] almost two-thirds of the night or half of it or a third of it, and [so do] a group of those with you. And Allah determines [the extent of] the night and the day. He has known that you [Muslims] will not be able to do it and has turned to you in forgiveness, so recite what is easy [for you] of the Qur'an. He has known that there will be among you those who are ill and others traveling throughout the land seeking [something] of the bounty of Allah and others fighting for the cause of Allah. So recite what is easy from it and establish prayer and give zakah and loan Allah a goodly loan. And whatever good you put forward for yourselves - you will find it with Allah. It is better and greater in reward. And seek forgiveness of Allah. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

This verse highlights the importance of fulfilling the obligations of prayer, giving zakah, and seeking forgiveness from Allah. It also encourages reciting the Quran and performing acts of worship that are within one's capacity. Allah promises that whatever good one puts forward for themselves, they will find it with Him, and it will be better and greater in reward.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:197), Allah says:

Hajj is [during] well-known months, so whoever has made Hajj obligatory upon himself therein [by entering the state of ihram], there is [to be for him] no sexual relations and no disobedience and no disputing during Hajj. And whatever good you do - Allah knows it. And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is Taqwa. So fear Me, O you of understanding.

This verse emphasizes the importance of fulfilling the obligation of Hajj and highlights that whatever good one does during this sacred journey, Allah is aware of it. It also reminds believers to prioritize Taqwa (God-consciousness) as the best provision for their journey towards Allah.

From these Quranic verses, we can understand that fulfilling the obligations and recommended acts of worship is not only a means of seeking nearness to Allah but also a way to multiply our rewards and blessings. By going beyond the minimum requirements and striving to excel in our worship, we demonstrate our love and devotion to Allah, and He, in His infinite mercy, rewards us abundantly.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of seeking nearness to Allah by fulfilling both the obligatory and recommended acts of worship. By doing so, we not only fulfill our duties towards Allah but also increase our rewards and blessings manifold. It is a reminder for us to go beyond the minimum requirements and strive for excellence in our worship, seeking the pleasure and closeness of Allah. May Allah guide us all to fulfill our obligations and recommended acts of worship and grant us the ability to seek nearness to Him.