Hadith #6045

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, and his noble companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the profound wisdom and mercy of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in providing incentives for His worship. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

If Allah, the Glorified, had not given incentives for His worship, it would have still been obligatory to worship Him out of hope for His mercy.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this Hadith by examining the key words and concepts it presents. The word (raghiba) "رَغِّبِ" means to provide an incentive or motivation. In this context, it refers to the various rewards and blessings that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) has promised to those who worship Him sincerely. The word (ta'atih) "طاعَتِهِ" means obedience or worship, encompassing all acts of devotion and submission to Allah's commands.

This Hadith emphasizes that even if Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) had not provided any incentives for His worship, it would still be obligatory for us to worship Him out of hope for His mercy. This highlights the intrinsic value and importance of worship in Islam. Our worship should not be solely driven by the desire for rewards, but rather by our love and reverence for Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and our recognition of His infinite mercy.

The Quran provides numerous verses that support the message of this Hadith. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 15:99)

And worship your Lord until there comes to you the certainty (death)

This verse emphasizes the obligation of worship, regardless of any incentives or rewards. It reminds us that our purpose in life is to worship Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and seek His pleasure.

Furthermore, in Surah Az-Zumar, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states, (Quran 39:53)

Say, 'O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful'

This verse highlights the boundless mercy of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and encourages us to worship Him with hope and trust in His forgiveness.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that even if there were no incentives for worship, we should still fulfill our obligation out of hope for Allah's mercy. This perspective is deeply rooted in the teachings of the Quran, which repeatedly emphasize the importance of sincere worship and reliance on Allah's mercy.

By worshiping Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) out of hope for His mercy, we develop a strong connection with our Creator and seek His forgiveness and guidance. This motivates us to strive for righteousness, avoid sins, and fulfill our duties as Muslims. It also instills in us a sense of humility and gratitude, recognizing that all our blessings and successes come from Allah's mercy.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the intrinsic value and obligation of worship in Islam. It teaches us that even if there were no incentives for worship, it would still be obligatory for us to worship Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) out of hope for His mercy. This Hadith aligns with the teachings of the Quran, which emphasize the importance of sincere worship and reliance on Allah's infinite mercy. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all to worship Him with sincerity and seek His mercy in all aspects of our lives.