Hadith #11169

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 progeny, and his noble companions.

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

هُدِيَ مَنْ أشْعَرَ التَّقْوى قَلْبَهُ۔

This can be translated as,

Guided is the one who fills his heart with God-wariness.

Let us delve into the meaning of this Hadith by examining the key words and their significance. The word (ash'ara) "أشْعَرَ" is derived from the root word (sha'ara) "شَعَرَ", which means to fill or saturate. In this context, it refers to filling one's heart with (taqwa) "التَّقْوَى", which can be translated as God-wariness, piety, or consciousness of Allah.

Taqwa is a fundamental concept in Islam, emphasized throughout the Quran. It is the state of being aware of Allah's presence, fearing His punishment, and striving to obey His commands. Allah 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 (أَتْقَاكُمْ).

This verse highlights the importance of taqwa as a criterion for nobility in the sight of Allah.

Furthermore, Allah describes the qualities of the righteous in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:197),

And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is taqwa. So fear Me, O you of understanding.

Here, taqwa is referred to as the best provision for the journey of life. It is the shield that protects us from falling into sin and guides us towards righteousness.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith emphasizes the importance of filling our hearts with taqwa. This means that we should strive to develop a deep awareness of Allah's presence in our lives and constantly seek His pleasure. When our hearts are filled with taqwa, it becomes a guiding light that directs our actions, thoughts, and intentions towards what is pleasing to Allah.

The consequences of filling our hearts with taqwa are profound. It leads to a life of righteousness, sincerity, and humility. It helps us make decisions that align with the teachings of Islam and avoid actions that displease Allah. Taqwa also serves as a shield against the temptations of this world, protecting us from falling into sin and leading us towards the path of salvation.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we can see that it encourages us to prioritize our spiritual well-being by nurturing taqwa in our hearts. It reminds us that true guidance comes from Allah, and by seeking His pleasure through taqwa, we can attain His guidance in every aspect of our lives.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of filling our hearts with taqwa. By doing so, we can attain guidance from Allah and lead a life of righteousness. Let us strive to cultivate taqwa within ourselves, seeking Allah's pleasure and guidance in all that we do. May Allah grant us the ability to fill our hearts with taqwa and guide us on the straight path.