Hadith #10920

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) emphasizes the importance of maintaining a high level of piety and righteousness in both public and private spheres of our lives. The key phrase in this Hadith is (al-wara') "الوَرَعِ", which can be translated as piety, righteousness, or God-consciousness. It refers to a state of being cautious and mindful of Allah's commands and prohibitions.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states that one of the highest forms of piety is to refrain from doing in private what one would be ashamed or embarrassed to do in public. This means that a person should not engage in any sinful or immoral behavior when they are alone, thinking that no one is watching them. They should have the same level of integrity and righteousness in private as they would have in public.

This teaching of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is in line with the teachings of the Quran, which repeatedly emphasizes the importance of maintaining righteousness in all aspects of our lives. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:13):

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. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.

This verse highlights that the true measure of nobility and superiority in the sight of Allah is not based on one's lineage or social status, but rather on their level of righteousness and piety. It is the righteousness of a person that elevates them in the eyes of Allah, not their outward appearance or worldly achievements.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:177), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states:

Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves; [and who] establishes prayer and gives zakah; [those who] fulfill their promise when they promise; and [those who] are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous.

This verse emphasizes that true righteousness is not merely performing outward acts of worship, but it encompasses a comprehensive approach to life. It includes fulfilling one's obligations towards Allah, such as establishing prayer and giving zakah, as well as fulfilling one's obligations towards fellow human beings, such as helping the needy and being honest in one's dealings.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder that our actions and behavior should be consistent, regardless of whether we are in public or in private. It highlights the importance of maintaining a high level of piety and integrity in all aspects of our lives, as this is what truly matters in the sight of Allah.

By adhering to the teachings of this Hadith, Muslims can strive to become individuals who are conscious of Allah's presence at all times, and who are committed to upholding righteousness and avoiding sinful behavior, whether in public or in private. This will not only bring about personal spiritual growth and development but will also contribute to the betterment of society as a whole.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to embody the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and strive for piety in all aspects of our lives. Ameen.