Hadith #3228

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due 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 Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

When the Qur’an calls you towards [acquiring] a beautiful quality, then compel yourself to adopt [a quality] like it.

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of striving to embody the noble qualities and virtues that the Qur'an encourages us to possess.

Let us analyze the key words of this Hadith to gain a deeper understanding. The word "Qur'an" refers to the divine revelation that was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It is the ultimate source of guidance for all Muslims. The word "khallat" means a beautiful quality or characteristic. It refers to those virtues and attributes that are pleasing to Allah and beneficial for individuals and society. The word "nafsak" means oneself or one's own self. It signifies the importance of personal responsibility and self-discipline in adopting these qualities.

To further comprehend the significance of this Hadith, let us turn to the Qur'an for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly calls upon Muslims to acquire and embody beautiful qualities. For example, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:195), Allah says,

And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is Taqwa (piety).

This verse encourages us to prioritize piety and righteousness in our lives, which is indeed a beautiful quality.

Similarly, in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:13), Allah says,

O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you.

This verse highlights the importance of righteousness and taqwa as the criteria for nobility and honor in the sight of Allah.

The Qur'an also emphasizes the importance of patience, forgiveness, humility, and many other beautiful qualities. For instance, in Surah Al-Imran (3:134), Allah says,

Who spend [in the cause of Allah] during ease and hardship and who restrain anger and who pardon the people - and Allah loves the doers of good.

This verse encourages us to adopt qualities such as generosity, patience, and forgiveness, which are indeed beautiful qualities.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith urges us to go beyond simply acknowledging these beautiful qualities and actively strive to acquire and embody them in our lives. It calls upon us to exert effort and discipline ourselves to adopt these qualities, even if it requires overcoming our own desires and weaknesses.

For example, if the Qur'an calls us to be patient in the face of adversity, we should strive to cultivate patience in our hearts and actions. We should remind ourselves of the example of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) who displayed immense patience in the face of persecution and hardships. By emulating his example, we can develop the beautiful quality of patience and draw closer to Allah.

Similarly, if the Qur'an encourages us to be forgiving towards others, we should make a conscious effort to let go of grudges and resentments. We should reflect upon the forgiveness of Allah and the forgiveness shown by Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his noble companions. By doing so, we can cultivate the beautiful quality of forgiveness and experience the tranquility it brings to our hearts.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the importance of actively striving to acquire and embody the beautiful qualities that the Qur'an calls us towards. It emphasizes the need for self-discipline and personal responsibility in adopting these qualities. By aligning our actions and character with the teachings of the Qur'an, we can become better Muslims and contribute positively to our communities. May Allah guide us all to embody these beautiful qualities and grant us success in this world and the Hereafter.