Hadith #8765

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

All praise is due 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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of having hearts that are dedicated to Allah and obedient to His commands. Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this enlightening Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (qulub) "قلوب" in the Hadith refers to hearts. In the Islamic context, the heart is not merely a physical organ, but it symbolizes the center of one's consciousness, emotions, and spirituality. It represents the core of a person's being and their connection with Allah.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) asks,

Where are the hearts that have been presented to Allah and have been bound to the obedience of Allah?

This rhetorical question emphasizes the rarity and significance of hearts that are sincerely devoted to Allah and firmly committed to obeying His commands.

The phrase (wuḥibat lillah) "وهِبَتْ لِلّهِ" means "presented to Allah." It implies that these hearts have been willingly offered to Allah, recognizing Him as the ultimate recipient and deserving of their devotion. This act of presenting one's heart to Allah signifies a deep sense of surrender and submission to His will.

Furthermore, the phrase (ʿalā ṭāʿatillāh) "عَلى طاعَةِ اللّهِ" means

bound to the obedience of Allah.

It indicates that these hearts are firmly attached to the path of obedience and righteousness prescribed by Allah. They are steadfast in following His commands, avoiding what is prohibited, and striving to please Him in all aspects of life.

In the Quran, Allah emphasizes the importance of having hearts that are dedicated to Him and obedient to His commands. For example, in Surah Al-Anfal (8:2), Allah says,

Indeed, the believers are those whose hearts tremble with fear when Allah is mentioned, and when His verses are recited to them, it increases them in faith, and upon their Lord they rely.

This verse highlights the qualities of the hearts that have been presented to Allah and bound to His obedience. Such hearts are filled with awe and reverence for Allah, and they are deeply affected by His remembrance and the recitation of His verses. Their faith is strengthened, and they place their complete trust in Allah.

Another Quranic verse that supports the exegesis of this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:7), where Allah says,

And know that among you is the Messenger of Allah. If he were to obey you in much of the matter, you would be in difficulty, but Allah has endeared to you the faith and has made it pleasing in your hearts and has made hateful to you disbelief, defiance, and disobedience. Those are the [rightly] guided.

This verse highlights the contrast between hearts that are dedicated to Allah and those that are not. Allah has made faith beloved and pleasing to the hearts of the believers, while disbelief, defiance, and disobedience are detested by them. This demonstrates the deep connection between the hearts that are presented to Allah and their inclination towards obedience and righteousness.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) question serves as a reminder and a call to action for all Muslims. It urges us to reflect upon the state of our hearts and to strive towards presenting them to Allah and binding them to His obedience. By doing so, we can attain a higher level of spirituality, strengthen our faith, and experience the blessings and guidance of Allah in our lives.

Having hearts that are dedicated to Allah and obedient to His commands has profound consequences. It leads to a life of righteousness, piety, and moral excellence. Such hearts are receptive to divine guidance and are more likely to make choices that align with the teachings of Islam. They are also more inclined to seek knowledge, engage in acts of worship, and show compassion and kindness towards others.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we are reminded of the importance of continuously purifying our hearts, seeking Allah's pleasure, and striving for excellence in our obedience to Him. It is a call to introspection and self-improvement, as we aim to present our hearts to Allah and bind them to His obedience.

May Allah bless us with hearts that are sincerely dedicated to Him and firmly committed to His obedience. May He grant us the ability to purify our hearts and strengthen our faith. And may He guide us to the path of righteousness and grant us success in this life and the Hereafter.

And Allah knows best.