Hadith #7734

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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

كُلَّما أخْلَصْتَ عَمَلاً بَلَغْتَ مِنَ الآخِرَةِ أمَلاً۔

This can be translated as,

Whenever you perform an action with sincerity, you attain something you hope for in the Hereafter.

Let us delve into the meaning of some important words in this Hadith. The word (akhlashta) "أخْلَصْتَ" is derived from the root word (khalasa) "خَلَصَ", which means to purify or to make something pure. In the context of this Hadith, it refers to performing an action solely for the sake of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) without any ulterior motives or seeking any worldly gains.

The word (amalan) "عَمَلاً" refers to any action or deed that a person performs. It encompasses all acts of worship, whether they are obligatory or recommended. It highlights the importance of sincerity in every action we undertake, regardless of its magnitude or significance.

The word (balaghta) "بَلَغْتَ" comes from the root word (balagha) "بَلَغَ", which means to reach or attain. In this Hadith, it signifies the attainment of something desired or hoped for in the Hereafter as a result of sincere actions performed in this world.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Zumar (39:33),

And those who strive for Us - We will surely guide them to Our ways. And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good.

This verse emphasizes the importance of striving sincerely for the sake of Allah, and promises divine guidance to those who do so.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Mu'minun (23:61), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

And He is the one who made you successors upon the earth and raised some of you above others in degrees [of rank] that He may try you through what He has given you. Indeed, your Lord is swift in penalty; but indeed, He is Forgiving and Merciful to those who believe and do righteous deeds.

This verse highlights the concept of being successors on earth and the varying degrees of rank among people. It reminds us that our actions are a means of testing and that sincere deeds are rewarded by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Reflecting on the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in light of these Quranic verses, we understand that when we perform actions with sincerity, seeking only the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), we are not only rewarded in the Hereafter but also guided by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in this world. Our sincerity in worship and good deeds is a means of attaining our hopes and desires in the Hereafter.

This Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to constantly evaluate their intentions and purify their actions. It encourages us to seek the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in all that we do, whether it is in our acts of worship, interactions with others, or our daily responsibilities. By doing so, we not only attain our desired outcomes in the Hereafter but also experience the blessings and guidance of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in this life.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the sincerity to perform all our actions solely for His sake and enable us to attain our hopes and desires in the Hereafter. Ameen.