Hadith #6050

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. Peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of sincerity in our acts of obedience and worship. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his profound knowledge and wisdom, highlights that without the foundation of sincere intention, one cannot attain the desired rewards from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Let us delve into the key words of this Hadith to better understand its meaning. The word (ikhlas) "إخْلاصَ" refers to sincerity or purity of intention. It signifies the act of performing an action solely for the sake of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), seeking His pleasure and not desiring any worldly gain or recognition. (niyyah) "النِّيَّةِ" means intention, which is the driving force behind our actions.

To further comprehend the significance of sincerity in our acts of obedience, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Al-Bayyinah (98:5), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give zakah. And that is the correct religion.

This verse emphasizes that sincerity is a fundamental aspect of worship and the correct way of practicing religion.

Another verse that supports the importance of sincerity is found in Surah Al-An'am (6:162), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

Say, 'Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds.'

This verse highlights that all aspects of our lives should be dedicated to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) alone, with sincere intentions.

Now, let us reflect on the enlightening message of Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith. He teaches us that merely going through the motions of obedience and worship is not enough to attain rewards from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). We must begin our acts of obedience with a pure and sincere intention, solely seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). This means that our actions should not be driven by personal gain, recognition, or worldly desires.

For example, when we pray, our intention should be to establish a connection with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and seek His guidance and mercy. Similarly, when we give charity, our intention should be to help those in need and seek the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) rather than seeking praise or recognition from others.

The consequences of not commencing our acts of obedience with sincere intentions are twofold. Firstly, our actions may become devoid of spiritual significance, reducing them to mere rituals without any impact on our hearts and souls. Secondly, we may fall into the trap of seeking validation and praise from others, which can lead to arrogance and a loss of sincerity in our worship.

On the other hand, when we approach our acts of obedience with sincerity, we open the doors to immense rewards from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Our acts become a means of purifying our souls, strengthening our faith, and drawing closer to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Our intentions become a reflection of our love and devotion to our Creator, and our worship becomes a source of spiritual nourishment and growth.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the importance of sincerity in our acts of obedience and worship. It serves as a profound reminder that without sincere intentions, our actions lose their spiritual essence and fail to bring us closer to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Let us strive to purify our intentions, seeking only the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in all that we do, and may He grant us success in this world and the Hereafter.