Hadith #1249

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 our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his purified progeny, and his noble companions.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he advises us to ask Allah for strong faith and to act upon the ordinances of the Qur'an. Let us delve into the deeper meanings of this Hadith and explore its significance in light of the Quran.

The word (faith) "إيمان" in this Hadith refers to a deep-rooted belief in Allah, His attributes, and His guidance. It encompasses both belief in the heart and actions that manifest this belief. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) encourages us to seek Allah's assistance in strengthening our faith, recognizing that it is a continuous process that requires effort and supplication.

To support this exegesis, we find numerous Quranic verses emphasizing the importance of faith and its connection to righteous actions. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:15),

Indeed, the believers are only the ones who have believed in Allah and His Messenger and then doubt not but strive with their properties and their lives in the cause of Allah. It is those who are the truthful.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:177), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further advises us to act upon the ordinances of the Qur'an. The word (ordinances) "مُوجَبِ" refers to the commandments, prohibitions, and guidance found in the Qur'an. It encompasses both the obligations and the recommended acts that Allah has prescribed for us.

The Qur'an itself emphasizes the importance of acting upon its teachings. In Surah Al-Imran (3:92), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Never will you attain the good [reward] until you spend [in the way of Allah] from that which you love. And whatever you spend - indeed, Allah is Knowing of it.

Similarly, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:83), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us,

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.

When we act upon the ordinances of the Qur'an, we align ourselves with the divine guidance and fulfill our purpose as Muslims. It is through our actions that our faith is manifested and strengthened. By following the teachings of the Qur'an, we cultivate righteousness, compassion, and justice in our lives.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) encourages us to seek both knowledge and practice. He exemplifies this through his own life, as he was known for his immense knowledge and his unwavering commitment to implementing the teachings of the Qur'an. His actions were a reflection of his deep faith and his dedication to the path of Allah.

In conclusion, this Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for us as Muslims to continuously seek Allah's assistance in strengthening our faith and to actively implement the teachings of the Qur'an in our lives. By doing so, we not only deepen our connection with Allah but also contribute to the betterment of society and the fulfillment of our purpose as believers. May Allah grant us the ability to ask for strong faith and to act upon the ordinances of the Qur'an.