Hadith #7658

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 and noble Ahl al-Bayt, and his righteous companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

Good action is the superior [form of] piety (or piety is the most preferred action).

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of performing good deeds and highlights the significance of righteousness in the sight of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Let us delve into the key words of this Hadith to gain a deeper understanding. The word (amal) "عَمَلُ" refers to action or deed, while (wara') "وَرَعٌ" means piety or righteousness. The word (rajih) "راجِحٌ" can be translated as superior, preferred, or more weighty. Therefore, the Hadith can be understood as stating that good actions hold a higher rank in terms of piety or that piety is the most preferred form of action.

To support this exegesis, we can turn to the Quran. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hajj (22:37),

Their meat will not reach Allah, nor will their blood, but what reaches Him is piety from you.

This verse emphasizes that what truly matters to Allah is not the physical offerings, but rather the piety and righteousness of the individual. It is the sincerity and goodness of our actions that hold value in the sight of Allah.

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

And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is piety.

This verse highlights the superiority of piety as the best provision for our journey in this world. It reminds us that our actions should be rooted in righteousness and consciousness of Allah, as this is what truly sustains and benefits us.

Reflecting on the Hadith, we can understand that performing good actions is not merely a superficial display of piety. Rather, it is the internalization of piety that leads to the manifestation of righteous deeds. When our actions are driven by piety, they become more meaningful, sincere, and impactful.

For example, if we give charity with the intention of seeking Allah's pleasure and helping those in need, our act of charity becomes more than just a material offering. It becomes an expression of our piety, compassion, and selflessness. Similarly, if we pray with humility and devotion, our prayer becomes a reflection of our piety and reverence towards Allah.

The motivation behind good actions should always be the desire to please Allah and seek His pleasure. When we prioritize piety, our actions become a means of drawing closer to Allah and attaining His forgiveness and mercy. Conversely, if our actions are devoid of piety and sincerity, they lose their true value and significance.

The consequences of prioritizing good actions and piety are immense. It leads to the purification of the soul, the strengthening of faith, and the cultivation of a righteous character. It also brings about blessings and rewards in this world and the hereafter. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hajj (22:77),

O you who have believed, bow and prostrate and worship your Lord and do good - that you may succeed.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the superiority of good actions and the importance of piety in the sight of Allah. It reminds us that our actions should be rooted in righteousness and driven by the desire to seek Allah's pleasure. By prioritizing piety, our actions become more meaningful, sincere, and impactful. May Allah guide us all to perform good actions with true piety and grant us success in this world and the hereafter.