Hadith #3178

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds, and blessings be upon Muhammad (ﷺ) and his pure progeny, the Ahl al-Bayt, as well as his noble companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

Sincerity is the highest [level of] faith.

This beautiful Hadith emphasizes the significance of sincerity in our faith and highlights its elevated status. To understand the depth of this Hadith, let us delve into the meanings of the key words.

The word (ikhlas) "إخْلاص" translates to "sincerity" in English. It refers to the act of purifying one's intentions and actions solely for the sake of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It entails performing acts of worship, seeking knowledge, and engaging in any righteous deed with the purest of intentions, without any ulterior motives or desire for worldly gains.

The word (a'la) "أعْلَى" means "highest" or "supreme." It signifies the superior rank and elevated status of sincerity in the hierarchy of faith. This Hadith teaches us that sincerity is not just a component of faith; rather, it is the pinnacle of faith, the highest level that one can attain.

To further comprehend the significance of sincerity, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Bayyinah (98:5),

And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give zakah. And that is the correct religion.

This verse emphasizes the importance of sincerity in worship, as it is the essence of true religion.

In Surah Al-Mumtahanah (60:4), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

There has already been for you an excellent pattern in Abraham and those with him, when they said to their people, 'Indeed, we are disassociated from you and from whatever you worship other than Allah. We have denied you, and there has appeared between us and you animosity and hatred forever until you believe in Allah alone.'

This verse highlights the sincerity of Prophet Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and his companions, as they disassociated themselves from false deities and worshipped Allah alone.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that sincerity is not merely a superficial act; it is a fundamental aspect of our faith that should permeate every aspect of our lives. When we perform acts of worship, such as prayer, fasting, or giving charity, we should do so solely for the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), without seeking recognition or praise from others.

Sincerity also extends to our interactions with fellow Muslims and society as a whole. We should strive to be sincere in our relationships, treating others with kindness, honesty, and fairness. Our intentions should be pure, seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in all our actions.

By embodying sincerity in our faith, we can attain a higher level of spirituality and strengthen our connection with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Sincerity purifies our hearts, protects us from hypocrisy, and enables us to lead a righteous and fulfilling life.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that sincerity is the highest level of faith. It emphasizes the importance of purifying our intentions and actions solely for the sake of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). By being sincere in our worship, relationships, and all aspects of our lives, we can attain a deeper connection with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and lead a life of righteousness. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to embody sincerity in our faith and elevate our levels of iman.