Hadith #7714

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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

رُبَّ صَغير مِنْ عَمَلِكَ تَسْتَكْبِرُهُ۔

This can be translated as,

Many a small action [that you do] is considered by you as being great.

Let us now delve into the meaning of some key words in this Hadith. The word (saghir) "صَغِير" means "small" or "insignificant," while (amal) "عَمَل" refers to "action" or "deed." The word (tastakbiruhu) "تَسْتَكْبِرُهُ" can be translated as "consider it great" or

regard it as significant.

To understand the wise message of this Hadith, we turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:13),

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 emphasizes that true greatness lies not in external appearances or worldly achievements, but in righteousness and piety. It reminds us that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) does not judge us based on the size or grandeur of our actions, but rather on the sincerity and purity of our intentions.

In another verse, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Anfal (8:46),

And obey Allah and His Messenger, and do not dispute and [thus] lose courage and [then] your strength would depart; and be patient. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.

This verse highlights the importance of consistency and perseverance in our actions. It teaches us that even seemingly small and insignificant deeds, when performed consistently and with sincerity, can have a profound impact. It is not the size of the action that matters, but rather the steadfastness and dedication with which it is carried out.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), being the epitome of knowledge and wisdom, reminds us through this Hadith that we should not belittle or disregard small actions. Often, we tend to overlook the significance of small acts of kindness, such as a smile, a kind word, or a helping hand. However, these seemingly insignificant actions can have a ripple effect, spreading positivity and making a difference in the lives of others.

Moreover, this Hadith serves as a reminder that arrogance and pride have no place in the life of a Muslim. We should not consider ourselves superior or look down upon others based on our perceived "great" actions. Instead, we should humbly recognize that it is Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) who grants us the ability to perform any action, and it is He who determines its true worth.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we realize that our actions, regardless of their size, should be performed with sincerity, humility, and consistency. We should strive to do good in every aspect of our lives, whether it is in our relationships, our work, or our worship. By doing so, we can transform seemingly small actions into great deeds that are pleasing to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to recognize the value of every action, no matter how small, and may He accept our efforts and make them a means of attaining His pleasure. Ameen.