Hadith #11476

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

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

مَنْ أيْقَنَ بِالجَزاءِ أحْسَنَ۔

This can be translated as,

One who is certain about [divine] reward does good [deeds].

This thought-provoking saying of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of having faith in the reward that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) has promised for those who perform righteous actions.

To delve deeper into the meaning of this Hadith, let us first examine the key words. The word (ayqana) "أيْقَنَ" means to have certainty or firm belief. It signifies a level of conviction that is unwavering and unshakable. The word (bil-jaza') "بِالجَزاءِ" refers to the reward or recompense that one receives for their actions. And finally, the word (ahsana) "أحْسَنَ" means to do good or to excel in goodness.

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of having unwavering faith in the reward that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) has promised for those who perform good deeds. It teaches us that true belief in the divine reward is a motivating factor for individuals to strive towards righteousness and to excel in performing good actions.

The Quran provides numerous verses that support the message of this Hadith. For example, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:82), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

But those who believe and do righteous deeds - We will admit them to gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide forever. It is the promise of Allah, [which is] truth, and who is more truthful than Allah in statement.

This ayah emphasizes the promise of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) to reward those who believe and perform righteous deeds. It assures us that the reward promised by Allah is true and that His words are the most truthful. This further reinforces the importance of having certainty in the divine reward, as mentioned in the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ).

Another verse that supports the message of this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:112), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Yes, but whoever submits his face in Islam to Allah while being a doer of good will have his reward with his Lord. And no fear will there be concerning them, nor will they grieve.

This ayah highlights the importance of submitting oneself to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and performing good deeds. It assures us that those who do so will be rewarded by their Lord. This aligns perfectly with the message of the Hadith, as it emphasizes the connection between certainty in the divine reward and the performance of good actions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder to Muslims of the importance of having unwavering faith in the reward promised by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). When we are certain about the divine reward, it becomes a driving force for us to strive towards righteousness and to excel in performing good deeds.

This Hadith encourages us to reflect on the consequences of our actions and the motivation behind them. When we truly believe in the reward promised by Allah, we are more likely to perform good deeds sincerely and consistently. Our actions become a means of seeking the pleasure of Allah and attaining His reward, rather than seeking recognition or praise from others.

Furthermore, this Hadith teaches us that having certainty in the divine reward brings about a sense of peace and contentment. When we are confident that Allah will reward our efforts, we are freed from the fear and anxiety that may arise from worldly concerns. We are able to focus on doing good for the sake of Allah alone, without being swayed by external factors.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the importance of having unwavering faith in the reward promised by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It encourages us to perform good deeds with sincerity and excellence, knowing that our efforts will be rewarded by our Lord. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the certainty and motivation to excel in goodness and to seek His pleasure in all that we do.