Hadith #6521

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due 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) states,

Inability accompanied by espousing goodness is better than power accompanied by embarking on evil.

Let us delve into the significance of this statement in light of the Quran.

First, let us analyze the key words in this Hadith. "Al-ajz" refers to inability or weakness, while "luzoom" means to adhere or be committed to. "Al-khair" signifies goodness, and "al-qudrah" denotes power or ability. Lastly, "rukub" implies embarking on or engaging in, and "ash-sharr" represents evil.

To understand the essence of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hajj (22:37),

Neither their flesh reaches Allah nor their blood, but it is your piety that reaches Him.

This verse emphasizes that it is not the physical actions or capabilities that hold significance in the sight of Allah, but rather the intentions and righteousness behind them.

Similarly, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:177), Allah 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.

This verse highlights the importance of performing good deeds with sincerity and selflessness, rather than merely focusing on external actions.

Now, let us reflect on the beautiful message conveyed by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in this Hadith. He teaches us that even if we may lack the ability or power to carry out certain actions, it is far better to be committed to goodness and righteousness. This is because the intention and commitment to do good, despite our limitations, hold immense value in the eyes of Allah.

For instance, imagine a person who is physically unable to perform acts of worship, such as fasting or standing in prayer. Despite their inability, if they maintain a sincere intention and strive to engage in acts of kindness, charity, and moral conduct, their commitment to goodness outweighs the power of those who may possess physical abilities but engage in evil deeds.

This Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to prioritize their intentions and commitment to righteousness over mere physical capabilities. It encourages us to focus on the quality of our actions rather than the quantity. It teaches us that true success lies in adhering to goodness, even if we may lack the power or ability to engage in certain actions.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that inability accompanied by espousing goodness is far superior to power accompanied by embarking on evil. It emphasizes the importance of sincerity, intention, and commitment to righteousness in our actions. Let us strive to embody this profound teaching in our lives, seeking Allah's pleasure through our intentions and actions, regardless of our limitations. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to adhere to goodness and righteousness in all aspects of our lives.