Hadith #10918

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 Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

مَنْ تَعَرّى عَنِ الوَرَعِ اِدَّرَعَ جِلْبابَ العارِ۔

This Hadith can be translated as,

Whoever divests himself of piety puts on the attire of disgrace.

Let us delve into the meanings of the important words in this Hadith. (ta'arra) "تَعَرَّى" means to strip off or divest oneself, while (al-wara') "الوَرَعِ" refers to piety or righteousness. (iddara'a) "اِدَّرَعَ" means to put on or wear, and (jilbab) "جِلْبَابَ" refers to a garment or attire. Finally, (al-'ar) "العارِ" signifies disgrace or shame.

To understand the beautiful message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of piety and righteousness. In Surah Al-Hujurat (49:13), Allah says,

O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.

This verse highlights that true nobility lies in righteousness, which encompasses piety, moral uprightness, and adherence to the commands of Allah. It is through piety that one attains honor and dignity in the sight of Allah and among fellow believers. Conversely, when one abandons piety and embraces sinful behavior, they don the attire of disgrace.

In Surah Al-A'raf (7:26), Allah recounts the story of Adam and Eve and their expulsion from Paradise due to their disobedience. This serves as a powerful example of how abandoning piety leads to disgrace and loss. Similarly, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:197), Allah commands the believers to observe piety during the pilgrimage, stating,

And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is piety. So fear Me, O you of understanding.

This verse emphasizes that the true provision for the journey of life is piety. It is through piety that one finds protection, guidance, and success in this world and the Hereafter. By divesting oneself of piety, one loses this divine protection and falls into the attire of disgrace.

The consequences of abandoning piety are manifold. One may become engrossed in sinful behavior, leading to a tarnished reputation and a loss of self-respect. Additionally, the absence of piety can result in a weakened connection with Allah, leading to a sense of emptiness and spiritual deprivation. Moreover, the lack of piety can lead to a disregard for the rights of others, causing harm and injustice in society.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we are reminded of the importance of nurturing and safeguarding our piety. It is through piety that we attain true honor and dignity, both in the sight of Allah and among our fellow Muslims. By upholding piety, we protect ourselves from the attire of disgrace and ensure a righteous and fulfilling life.

May Allah (تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength and guidance to embrace piety and protect ourselves from the attire of disgrace. May He bless us with the ability to follow in the footsteps of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), who exemplified unparalleled knowledge and righteousness. Ameen.