Hadith #3187

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. May 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) emphasizes the importance of two qualities: sincerity (إخْلاص) and certitude (يَقين). Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises Muslims to embrace these qualities as they are the best forms of worship that can bring them closer to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Sincerity, or "صِدقِ الإخْلاصِ" in Arabic, refers to the act of performing actions solely for the sake of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) without any ulterior motives or seeking any worldly gains. It involves purifying one's intentions and ensuring that every action is done solely to please Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Sincerity is a fundamental aspect of faith and is mentioned in the Quran in various places.

Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Az-Zumar (39:11-14):

Say, 'Indeed, I have been commanded to worship Allah, sincere in my religion. And I have been commanded to be the first [among you] of the Muslims.' Say, 'Indeed I fear, if I should disobey my Lord, the punishment of a tremendous Day.' Say, 'Allah [alone] do I worship, sincere to Him in my religion, so worship what you will besides Him.' Say, 'Indeed, the losers are the ones who will lose themselves and their families on the Day of Resurrection. Unquestionably, that is the manifest loss.'

These verses highlight the importance of sincerity in worship. Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) himself was commanded to worship Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) with utmost sincerity. Sincerity is not limited to acts of worship but should also be reflected in our daily lives, interactions, and intentions.

Certitude, or "اليَقينِ" in Arabic, refers to having complete conviction and unwavering faith in the existence and oneness of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), as well as in the truth of His message. It involves having firm belief in the unseen and trusting in Allah's promises and guidance. Certitude is a quality that strengthens one's faith and helps overcome doubts and uncertainties.

Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:15):

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.

This verse emphasizes the importance of certitude in the context of belief. True believers are those who have complete faith in Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and His Messenger, and they do not harbor any doubts. They are willing to sacrifice their wealth and lives for the sake of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) without hesitation.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises Muslims to embrace sincerity and certitude as the best forms of worship. When one performs acts of worship with sincerity, they are solely focused on pleasing Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and seeking His pleasure. This sincerity purifies their intentions and elevates their worship to a higher level.

Similarly, certitude strengthens one's faith and removes any doubts or uncertainties. It allows Muslims to have complete trust in Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and His guidance, enabling them to face challenges and difficulties with unwavering conviction. Certitude also helps in developing a deep connection with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and seeking His assistance in all aspects of life.

By embracing sincerity and certitude, Muslims can enhance their worship and draw closer to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). These qualities have profound consequences in one's spiritual journey. They motivate Muslims to perform acts of worship with excellence, knowing that their intentions are pure and their faith is unwavering. Sincerity and certitude also have a transformative effect on one's character, leading to increased humility, gratitude, and reliance on Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Reflecting on this Hadith, Muslims are reminded to constantly evaluate their intentions and strive for sincerity in all their actions. They should seek to strengthen their certitude by deepening their knowledge of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and His message. By doing so, they can elevate their worship and draw closer to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), ultimately attaining the pleasure and nearness of the Most High.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to embrace sincerity and certitude in our worship, and may He accept our efforts to draw closer to Him. Ameen.