Hadith #211

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 Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

Belief means appreciation with the heart, acknowledgement with the tongue, and action with the limbs.

This beautiful saying highlights the comprehensive nature of faith and emphasizes the importance of aligning our hearts, tongues, and actions in order to truly embody and manifest our beliefs.

Let us delve deeper into the meaning of the key words in this Hadith. The word (belief) "imaan" refers to the deep-rooted conviction and faith that resides in the heart of a believer. It is not merely a superficial acceptance, but a profound understanding and acceptance of the truth. The word (appreciation) "ma'rifah" signifies a deep knowledge and recognition of the truth, which is acquired through reflection, contemplation, and seeking knowledge.

The term (acknowledgement) "iqraar" refers to the verbal expression of our beliefs. It is not enough to merely possess faith in our hearts; we must also openly acknowledge and proclaim our beliefs. This verbal affirmation serves as a testimony to our faith and reinforces our commitment to the truth.

Lastly, the word (action) "amal" signifies the practical implementation of our beliefs in our daily lives. It is through our actions that our faith is truly tested and demonstrated. Our deeds should be in accordance with the teachings of Islam, reflecting our inner convictions and beliefs.

To further understand the significance of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:14),

The Bedouins say, 'We have believed.' Say, 'You have not [yet] believed; but say [instead], 'We have submitted,' for faith has not yet entered your hearts. And if you obey Allah and His Messenger, He will not deprive you from your deeds of anything. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.'

This verse highlights the importance of true faith residing in the heart. Mere verbal claims of belief are not sufficient; rather, it is the obedience to Allah and His Messenger that reflects the sincerity of our faith. Similarly, in Surah Al-Asr (103:3), Allah says,

Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.

This verse emphasizes the inseparable connection between belief and righteous actions. True faith is not passive; it compels us to engage in virtuous deeds and encourages us to enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong. Our actions should be a reflection of our beliefs, and they should serve as a means of spreading goodness and righteousness in society.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to strive for a holistic approach to faith. It reminds us that belief is not confined to the realm of the heart, but it encompasses our entire being. Our beliefs should be deeply rooted in knowledge and understanding, openly acknowledged through our words, and translated into righteous actions.

By appreciating the truth with our hearts, acknowledging it with our tongues, and acting upon it with our limbs, we can attain a comprehensive and genuine faith that brings us closer to Allah and enables us to fulfill our purpose in this world. May Allah guide us all to embody the teachings of Islam in every aspect of our lives.