Hadith #7844

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be 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 Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

صَلاحُ المَعادِ بِحُسْنِ العَمَلِ۔

This translates to,

The goodness of the Hereafter is [attained] through good deeds.

Let us delve into the essence of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

Firstly, let us analyze the key words in this Hadith. "صَلاحُ المَعادِ" refers to the goodness or righteousness of the Hereafter, which encompasses the eternal bliss and rewards that await the believers in the life to come. "بِحُسْنِ العَمَلِ" means through good deeds, indicating that the path to attaining this goodness lies in performing righteous actions and deeds that are pleasing to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

The Quran provides numerous verses that emphasize the importance of good deeds in securing success in the Hereafter. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Kahf, verse 46,

Wealth and children are [but] adornment of the worldly life. But the enduring good deeds are better to your Lord for reward and better for [one's] hope.

This verse highlights that while worldly possessions and relationships may bring temporary enjoyment, it is the everlasting good deeds that hold true value in the sight of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Mu'minun, verse 102, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

Then those whose scales are heavy [with good deeds], it is they who are the successful.

This verse emphasizes the significance of good deeds as a means to attain success in the Hereafter. It highlights the importance of performing righteous actions that outweigh any wrongdoings, as these are the deeds that will determine our ultimate fate.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder to Muslims that the goodness and success in the Hereafter can only be achieved through sincere and righteous actions. It encourages us to prioritize our deeds and strive to perform acts of goodness in all aspects of our lives.

By engaging in acts of worship, such as prayer, fasting, giving charity, and performing Hajj, we are fulfilling our obligations to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and earning His pleasure. Additionally, acts of kindness, honesty, and compassion towards others are also considered good deeds that contribute to our spiritual growth and righteousness.

It is important to note that the intention behind our actions is crucial. The Quran reminds us in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 177,

Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves.

This verse emphasizes that true righteousness lies in having faith in Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and His teachings, and acting upon this faith by benefiting others and fulfilling our responsibilities.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that the goodness and success in the Hereafter can only be attained through good deeds. It serves as a call to action for Muslims to prioritize their actions and strive to perform acts of righteousness in all aspects of their lives. By engaging in acts of worship and demonstrating kindness and compassion towards others, we can strive towards achieving the ultimate goal of attaining the goodness of the Hereafter. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to perform good deeds and earn His pleasure.