Hadith #5116

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 Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

مَنْ عَرى مِنَ الشَّرِّ قَلْبَهُ سَلِمَ لَهُ دينُهُ، وَصَدَقَ يَقينُهُ۔

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of purifying one's heart from evil, as it is the key to safeguarding one's religion and strengthening their conviction.

Let us delve into the meaning of the key words in this Hadith. The word (ara) "عَرَى" means to strip or remove. Here, it refers to stripping the heart of evil, removing any impurities or negative traits that may reside within it. The term (ash-sharr) "الشَّرِّ" refers to evil, encompassing all forms of wrongdoing, sin, and harmful intentions. (qalbahu) "قَلْبَهُ" means his heart, which is the core of one's being and the seat of emotions, thoughts, and intentions. (salima lahu deenuhu) "سَلِمَ لَهُ دينُهُ" means that his religion is secured, indicating that by purifying the heart, one's faith becomes protected and preserved. Lastly, (wa sadaqa yaqinuhu) "وَصَدَقَ يَقينُهُ" means that his conviction is confirmed, signifying that by removing evil from the heart, one's certainty and belief in Allah become strengthened.

The Quran provides numerous verses that support the exegesis of this Hadith. 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 the importance of righteousness and purity of heart, as it is the basis for true nobility in the sight of Allah.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qasas (28:56), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

Indeed, [O Muhammad], you do not guide whom you like, but Allah guides whom He wills. And He is most knowing of the [rightly] guided.

This verse emphasizes that true guidance comes from Allah alone, and it is He who guides those with sincere hearts and pure intentions.

The exegesis of this Hadith teaches us that purifying our hearts from evil is essential for the preservation of our religion and the strengthening of our faith. When we strip our hearts of negative traits such as envy, hatred, arrogance, and greed, we create space for love, compassion, humility, and contentment to flourish. This purification process requires self-reflection, self-discipline, and constant striving to improve our character.

By purifying our hearts, we not only secure our religion but also enhance our relationship with Allah and our fellow human beings. A heart free from evil is receptive to divine guidance and more inclined towards acts of worship and obedience. It enables us to develop a deeper understanding and connection with the Quran, as our hearts become vessels for its teachings.

Moreover, purifying our hearts leads to positive consequences in our interactions with others. It allows us to treat people with kindness, empathy, and respect, fostering harmonious relationships within our families, communities, and society at large. Our actions become aligned with the values and principles of Islam, and we become beacons of light and sources of inspiration for others.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the significance of purifying our hearts from evil. By doing so, we safeguard our religion, strengthen our conviction, and enhance our relationship with Allah. Let us strive to remove all forms of negativity from our hearts and replace them with goodness, for it is through this purification that we can truly embody the teachings of Islam and become better Muslims. May Allah guide us all on this path of purification and grant us hearts that are free from evil.