Hadith #256

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be 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,

إذَا أَضَرَّتِ النَّوَافِلُ بالْفَرَائِضِ فَارْفُضُوهَا۔

This Hadith can be translated as,

When optional issues stand in the way of obligatories, abandon them.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this thought-provoking Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in light of the Quran. The word (nawafil) "نَّوَافِلُ" refers to optional acts of worship, while (faraidh) "فَرَائِضِ" refers to obligatory acts of worship. The word (adarrat) "أَضَرَّتِ" means to cause harm or hinder. Therefore, the Hadith is advising Muslims that if engaging in optional acts of worship becomes a hindrance or causes harm to the performance of obligatory acts of worship, then it is better to abandon the optional acts.

This guidance from Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is in line with the teachings of the Quran. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:286),

Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear.

This verse emphasizes the importance of fulfilling our obligations and not overwhelming ourselves with unnecessary acts of worship that may hinder our ability to fulfill our duties towards Allah.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hajj (22:78), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

And strive for Allah with the striving due to Him. He has chosen you and has not placed upon you in the religion any difficulty.

This verse highlights the concept of striving in the path of Allah and fulfilling our obligations without burdening ourselves with unnecessary practices.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) guidance in this Hadith is rooted in wisdom and practicality. It reminds us that our primary focus should be on fulfilling our obligatory acts of worship, such as the five daily prayers, fasting in Ramadan, and giving Zakat. These acts are the foundation of our faith and hold utmost importance in the sight of Allah.

By prioritizing our obligations, we ensure that we are fulfilling the rights of Allah and maintaining a strong connection with Him. Engaging in optional acts of worship is commendable, but they should not come at the expense of neglecting our obligatory duties.

For example, if a person finds themselves overwhelmed with voluntary acts of worship to the point where they are unable to fulfill their daily prayers on time or with proper focus, it is better for them to temporarily set aside the optional acts and prioritize the obligatory prayers. This is because the obligatory prayers are the pillars of our faith and hold a higher level of importance.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) guidance also serves as a reminder that Islam is a religion of ease and balance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) does not burden us with excessive or unnecessary practices. He has made the religion easy for us to follow, and our focus should be on fulfilling our obligations with sincerity and excellence.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of prioritizing our obligatory acts of worship over optional acts. It reminds us to maintain a balance in our religious practices and not to burden ourselves with unnecessary acts that may hinder our ability to fulfill our obligations. By following this guidance, we can ensure that we are fulfilling the rights of Allah and maintaining a strong connection with Him. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to understand and implement this guidance in our lives.