Hadith #7875

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,

بِحُسْنِ الوَفاءِ يُعْرَفُ الأبْرارُ۔

This can be translated as,

By their faithful loyalty, the virtuous ones are known.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this thought-provoking saying in light of the Quran.

The word (husn) "حُسْنِ" in this Hadith refers to "goodness" or "excellence." It signifies the quality of being virtuous, righteous, and morally upright. It encompasses acts of kindness, sincerity, and fulfilling one's obligations. The word (wafā') "وَفاءِ" means "loyalty" or "faithfulness." It implies fulfilling one's commitments and remaining steadfast in fulfilling the rights of others.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:177),

It is not righteousness that you turn your faces towards the east or the west, but 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; [and who] establishes prayer and gives zakah; [those who] fulfill their promise when they promise; and [those who] are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous.

This verse emphasizes that true righteousness is not merely in performing outward rituals, but it lies in fulfilling one's obligations towards Allah and His creation. It includes acts of charity, kindness, and fulfilling promises. The virtuous ones are those who remain loyal and faithful in their commitments, just as Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) stated in the Hadith.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Mumtahanah (60:8), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes - from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.

This verse highlights the importance of treating others with fairness and justice, regardless of their beliefs or actions towards us. It is through our faithful loyalty and virtuous conduct that we can earn the love and pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement in this Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to prioritize faithfulness and loyalty in their interactions with others. It encourages us to fulfill our commitments, whether they are personal, social, or religious. By doing so, we not only demonstrate our righteousness but also contribute to the betterment of society.

For example, a person who remains loyal to their spouse, fulfilling their marital obligations and remaining steadfast in times of difficulty, is regarded as virtuous and righteous. Similarly, an employee who remains loyal to their employer, fulfilling their duties with sincerity and dedication, is recognized as a person of integrity.

Conversely, those who fail to uphold their commitments and display disloyalty are seen as lacking in virtue and righteousness. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us in Surah Al-Isra (17:81),

And say, 'Truth has come, and falsehood has departed. Indeed is falsehood, [by nature], ever bound to depart.'

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that the virtuous ones are known by their faithful loyalty. This means that true righteousness lies in fulfilling our commitments and remaining steadfast in our obligations towards Allah and His creation. By doing so, we not only earn the love and pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), but we also contribute to the betterment of society and establish ourselves as people of integrity and righteousness. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to embody this noble trait of faithful loyalty.