Hadith #7689

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 and noble Ahl al-Bayt, and his righteous companions.

The hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

Keeping an action sincere is harder than performing the action itself.

This enlightening saying highlights the importance of sincerity in our actions and emphasizes that maintaining sincerity is a greater challenge than merely carrying out the physical act.

Let us delve into the meaning of some key words in this hadith. The word (tasfiyah) "تَصْفِيَةُ" refers to purification or making something pure. It implies removing any impurities or hidden motives from our actions. The word (al-'amal) "العَمَلِ" means action or deed. It encompasses all types of actions, whether they are physical, verbal, or even thoughts and intentions.

To understand the significance of sincerity in our actions, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Mu'minun (23:51),

And do not make [as equal] with Allah another deity. Indeed, I am to you from Him a clear warner.

This verse emphasizes the importance of sincerity in worshiping Allah alone and not associating any partners with Him. It reminds us that our actions should be solely for the sake of Allah, without any ulterior motives or desires for recognition or praise from others.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Zumar (39:11), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

Say, 'Indeed, I have been commanded to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion.'

This verse highlights the commandment to worship Allah with sincerity. It emphasizes that our acts of worship, such as prayer, fasting, and charity, should be performed solely for the pleasure of Allah, seeking His reward and His pleasure alone.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) hadith reminds us that maintaining sincerity in our actions is a continuous struggle. It requires constant self-reflection, self-purification, and vigilance against the whisperings of our ego and the temptations of the world. It is easy to perform an action outwardly, but it is much harder to ensure that our intentions remain pure and free from any hidden agendas.

For example, let us consider the act of giving charity. Outwardly, it may seem like a virtuous act, but if our intention is to gain praise or recognition from others, our sincerity is compromised. However, if we give charity solely for the sake of Allah, seeking His pleasure and the betterment of those in need, then our action becomes sincere and pure.

The consequences of maintaining sincerity in our actions are profound. When our intentions are pure and solely focused on pleasing Allah, our actions become a means of drawing closer to Him. Our sincerity elevates our worship, transforms mundane tasks into acts of worship, and brings us closer to attaining His pleasure and His mercy.

Reflecting on Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement, we should strive to purify our intentions in all aspects of our lives. Whether it is in our worship, interactions with others, or even our daily routines, we should constantly remind ourselves to seek the pleasure of Allah and make our actions sincere. By doing so, we can transform our lives into a continuous act of worship and strive to attain the ultimate goal of pleasing our Creator.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to maintain sincerity in our actions and make our deeds solely for His sake. May He accept our efforts and guide us on the path of righteousness. Ameen.