Hadith #8976

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.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he advises us to be good in our speech and beautiful in our actions. He emphasizes the importance of both our words and our deeds, as they reflect our character, intellect, and inner qualities. Let us delve deeper into the exegesis of this Hadith, drawing upon the guidance of the Quran.

The first word we will focus on is (maqal) "مَقال", which refers to speech or words. Our speech is a powerful tool that can either uplift or harm others. It is a reflection of our inner thoughts, beliefs, and values. The Quran reminds us of the significance of our words in Surah Al-Isra, verse 53, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And tell My servants to say that which is best. Indeed, Satan induces [dissension] among them. Indeed Satan is ever, to mankind, a clear enemy.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of being (hasan) "حَسَنَ" in our speech, which means being good, kind, and righteous. Our words should be filled with wisdom, truth, and compassion. The Quran emphasizes the significance of speaking kindly and gently in Surah Al-Isra, verse 23, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And do not make your hand [as] chained to your neck or extend it completely and [thereby] become blamed and insolvent.

Moving on to the second part of the Hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to be (jameel) "جَمِيلَ" in our actions, which means to be beautiful, excellent, and virtuous. Our actions are a manifestation of our inner character and intellect. They speak louder than words and leave a lasting impact on those around us. The Quran encourages us to perform righteous deeds in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 83, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And [recall] when We took the covenant from the Children of Israel, [enjoining upon them], 'Do not worship except Allah; and to parents do good and to relatives, orphans, and the needy. And speak to people good [words] and establish prayer and give zakah.' Then you turned away, except a few of you, and you were refusing.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes that our actions are the symbol of our intellect. Our intellect is not merely measured by our knowledge, but by how we apply that knowledge in our actions. It is through our actions that we demonstrate our understanding, wisdom, and moral values. The Quran reminds us of the importance of combining knowledge and action in Surah Al-Asr, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

By time, indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) guidance in this Hadith serves as a reminder for us to align our words and actions with the teachings of Islam. Our speech should be filled with kindness, truth, and wisdom, while our actions should reflect our understanding, righteousness, and moral values. By embodying these qualities, we become a source of inspiration and guidance for others, and we contribute to the betterment of society.

Let us strive to be individuals who not only speak well but also act in accordance with the teachings of Islam. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to improve our speech and actions, and may He bless us with the wisdom and intellect to make a positive impact in the world.