Hadith #11482

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 pure Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

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

One whose heart does not have certitude, his actions do not submit to it.

Let us delve into the meaning of this statement in light of the Quran.

The key word in this Hadith is (qalbuhu) "قَلْبُهُ", which translates to "his heart." The heart is not merely a physical organ, but it symbolizes the center of a person's beliefs, intentions, and emotions. It is the core of one's spiritual existence. In this Hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of having certitude or conviction in one's heart.

Certitude or conviction refers to a deep and unwavering belief in the truth of something. It is the opposite of doubt or uncertainty. When a person's heart is filled with certitude, it becomes the driving force behind their actions. Their beliefs and intentions align with their deeds, creating a harmonious and sincere relationship between their inner and outer selves.

To further understand the significance of certitude in the heart, let us turn to the Quran. In Surah Al-Hujurat (49:15), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

The believers are only those who have believed in Allah and His Messenger and then doubt not but strive with their properties and their lives in the cause of Allah. It is those who are the truthful.

This verse highlights the connection between certitude and action. True believers are those who have firm faith in Allah and His Messenger, and their actions reflect this unwavering conviction.

Another verse that sheds light on the importance of certitude is found in Surah Al-Hadid (57:16), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Has the time not come for those who have believed that their hearts should become humbly submissive at the remembrance of Allah and what has come down of the truth?

This verse emphasizes the need for hearts to be submissive and humble in the remembrance of Allah, which can only be achieved through certitude and deep faith.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that actions are a reflection of the state of our hearts. If our hearts are filled with doubt, uncertainty, or lack of conviction, our actions will not be in submission to it. Our deeds may become inconsistent, insincere, or even hypocritical. On the other hand, when our hearts are filled with certitude, our actions become a natural extension of our beliefs, and we strive to align our deeds with our innermost convictions.

For example, if a person claims to believe in the importance of honesty but lacks certitude in their heart, they may find it difficult to consistently act honestly in all situations. However, when their heart is filled with certitude, their actions will naturally reflect their unwavering belief in the value of honesty. They will strive to be honest in all aspects of their life, even when faced with challenges or temptations.

The consequences of lacking certitude in the heart are far-reaching. It can lead to a disconnect between our beliefs and actions, causing internal conflict and confusion. It can also weaken our relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and hinder our spiritual growth. Conversely, when our hearts are filled with certitude, our actions become a means of drawing closer to Allah, and our faith becomes a source of strength and guidance in all aspects of our lives.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the importance of certitude in the heart. It emphasizes that our actions are a reflection of the state of our hearts. By cultivating unwavering belief and conviction in our hearts, we can ensure that our actions are sincere, consistent, and in submission to our beliefs. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to strengthen our hearts with certitude and align our actions with our faith.