Hadith #10915

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,

مَنْ قَلَّ وَرَعُهُ ماتَ قَلْبُهُ۔

This can be translated as,

One who lacks piety, his heart is dead.

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

The word (wara') "ورع" in this Hadith refers to piety, righteousness, and the fear of Allah. It encompasses a deep sense of consciousness and awareness of one's actions, thoughts, and intentions. It is a state of being mindful of Allah's presence and seeking to please Him in all aspects of life.

The Hadith highlights the importance of having a heart that is spiritually alive and connected to Allah. It emphasizes that a lack of piety leads to a spiritual death, where the heart becomes devoid of the light of faith and righteousness. Such a heart is unable to perceive the truth, recognize the signs of Allah, and experience the profound joy and tranquility that comes from a strong connection with the Divine.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Al-Hajj, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 22:46)

Have they not traveled through the land, and have they hearts wherewith to understand and ears wherewith to hear? Verily, it is not the eyes that grow blind, but it is the hearts which are in the breasts that grow blind.

This verse highlights the importance of having a heart that is receptive to guidance and understanding. It reminds us that the true blindness lies not in the physical eyes but in the hearts that are devoid of piety and righteousness. When the heart lacks the light of faith, it becomes blind to the signs of Allah, unable to comprehend the truth, and prone to spiritual decay.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hadid, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 57:20)

Know that the life of this world is only play and amusement, pomp and mutual boasting among you, and rivalry in respect of wealth and children. It is as the likeness of vegetation after rain, thereof the growth is pleasing to the tiller; afterwards it dries up and you see it turning yellow; then it becomes straw. But in the Hereafter (there is) a severe torment (for the disbelievers, evil-doers), and (there is) Forgiveness from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure (for the believers, good-doers).

This verse reminds us of the fleeting nature of worldly pursuits and the temporary nature of material possessions. It serves as a reminder that the pursuit of worldly pleasures, without a foundation of piety, leads to spiritual death. The heart that is engrossed in the pursuit of worldly desires becomes disconnected from the eternal reality and fails to recognize the true purpose of life.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to cultivate and nurture piety in their hearts. It urges us to be conscious of our actions, thoughts, and intentions, and to strive for righteousness in all aspects of our lives. By doing so, we can ensure that our hearts remain spiritually alive, connected to Allah, and receptive to His guidance.

The consequences of a heart devoid of piety are grave. It leads to a spiritual death that separates us from the mercy and guidance of Allah. It hinders our ability to recognize the truth, make sound decisions, and experience the deep joy and contentment that comes from a strong relationship with the Divine. It is only through piety and righteousness that our hearts can truly come alive, enabling us to navigate the challenges of life with wisdom, humility, and gratitude.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to prioritize piety and righteousness in their lives. It emphasizes the importance of having a heart that is spiritually alive and connected to Allah. By cultivating piety, we can ensure that our hearts remain receptive to guidance, recognize the signs of Allah, and experience the true purpose and joy of life. May Allah bless us all with hearts that are filled with piety and illuminate our paths with His divine guidance.