Hadith #8382

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. Peace and blessings be upon Muhammad, his family, his companions, and the righteous successors.

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

إذا أضَرَّتِ النَّوافِلُ بِالفَرائِضِ فَارْفُضُوها۔

This Hadith can be translated as,

When recommended acts come in the way of obligatory actions, then abandon them.

To understand the profound wisdom behind this statement, let us delve into the meanings of some key words. The word (nawafil) "نَوَافِلُ" refers to the recommended acts of worship that are performed voluntarily and are not obligatory. These acts include supererogatory prayers, fasting on certain days, giving extra charity, and other acts of devotion. On the other hand, the word (faraidh) "فَرَائِضُ" refers to the obligatory acts of worship that are prescribed by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and are binding upon every Muslim.

In this Hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to prioritize our obligations over recommended acts. This means that if performing recommended acts begins to hinder or impede the fulfillment of our obligatory duties, we should abandon the recommended acts in order to fulfill our obligations.

This guidance from Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) aligns perfectly with the teachings of the Quran. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of fulfilling our obligations and prioritizing them over voluntary acts. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah says, (Quran 2:43)

And establish prayer and give zakah and bow with those who bow [in worship and obedience]

Here, Allah highlights the obligation of establishing prayer and giving zakah, which take precedence over other acts of worship.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Ma'idah, Allah states, (Quran 5:1)

O you who have believed, fulfill [all] contracts. Lawful for you are the animals of grazing livestock except for that which is recited to you [in this Qur'an] - hunting not being permitted while you are in the state of ihram. Indeed, Allah ordains what He intends

This verse emphasizes the importance of fulfilling our contractual obligations, even if it means abstaining from certain permissible actions.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) guidance in this Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to prioritize their obligations and not let recommended acts hinder their fulfillment. It highlights the importance of maintaining a balance between obligatory and voluntary acts of worship. By prioritizing our obligations, we ensure that we are fulfilling the rights of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and fulfilling the responsibilities that have been placed upon us.

This guidance also reflects the wisdom and knowledge of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). As the cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) possessed a deep understanding of the teachings of Islam. His profound knowledge allowed him to provide practical guidance to Muslims, ensuring that they prioritize their obligations and do not become overwhelmed by optional acts of worship.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the importance of prioritizing our obligations over recommended acts. It aligns with the teachings of the Quran, which emphasize the fulfillment of obligations as a priority. By following this guidance, we can maintain a balanced approach to our worship and ensure that we are fulfilling the rights of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and our responsibilities as Muslims. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to prioritize our obligations and the ability to fulfill them with sincerity and excellence.