Hadith #1350

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. Peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his purified progeny, and his noble companions.

The hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

The nature of a believer is [being] sincere and his trait is suppressing anger.

Let us delve into the meanings and implications of this thought-provoking Hadith in light of the Quran.

The Arabic word (gharizah) "غَريزَة" in this hadith refers to the inherent nature or disposition of a believer. It signifies the natural inclination towards goodness and righteousness that is deeply ingrained within a believer's soul. This nature is characterized by sincerity and purity of intention in all actions and dealings.

The word (nus'h) "نُصْحُ" in the hadith means sincerity or purity. It refers to the act of advising, counseling, and guiding others with genuine intentions, seeking their betterment and well-being. The believer's nature is rooted in sincerity, as they strive to fulfill their obligations towards Allah and their fellow human beings, offering sincere advice and support.

The word (sajiyah) "سَجِيَّةُ" in the hadith refers to the trait of suppressing anger. It signifies the ability to control and restrain one's anger, preventing it from manifesting in harmful or destructive ways. This trait is a hallmark of a believer, as they strive to emulate the noble character of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ).

The Quran provides us with numerous verses that support the exegesis of this hadith. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Asr (103:1-3),

By time, indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.

This verse emphasizes the importance of sincere advice and counseling, which is an integral part of a believer's nature.

In Surah Al-Hujurat (49:9), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And if two factions among the believers should fight, then make settlement between the two. But if one of them oppresses the other, then fight against the one that oppresses until it returns to the ordinance of Allah. And if it returns, then make settlement between them in justice and act justly. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.

This verse highlights the importance of suppressing anger and resolving conflicts with justice and fairness, which is a trait of a believer.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) exemplified these qualities throughout his life. His knowledge, wisdom, and deep understanding of the Quran allowed him to embody the nature of a believer. He was known for his sincerity and purity of intention in all his actions, whether it was in governance, leadership, or personal interactions. His ability to suppress anger and respond with patience and wisdom in challenging situations is evident in his numerous encounters during his caliphate.

The consequences of embodying the nature of a believer, as described in this hadith, are profound. By being sincere in our intentions and actions, we strengthen our relationship with Allah and earn His pleasure. Sincere advice and counseling contribute to the betterment of society, fostering unity, harmony, and justice. Suppressing anger allows us to maintain peace within ourselves and promotes peaceful coexistence with others.

Reflecting on this hadith, we are reminded of the importance of self-reflection and self-improvement. We should strive to cultivate sincerity in our intentions, seeking Allah's pleasure in all our actions. We should also work on controlling our anger, responding to challenging situations with patience and wisdom. By embodying these traits, we can become true believers, following in the footsteps of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his noble family.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to embody the nature of a believer, to be sincere in our intentions, and to suppress our anger. May He guide us to follow the teachings of the Quran and the noble example of the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ). Ameen.