Hadith #11121

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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of God-wariness, or "taqwa," in the eyes of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Taqwa can be understood as a state of consciousness and mindfulness, where one is constantly aware of Allah's presence and seeks to please Him in all aspects of life. It is a comprehensive concept that encompasses both internal and external actions, as well as intentions and motivations.

The Hadith begins by stating that taqwa is the ultimate goal of Allah's pleasure with His servants. This means that when we strive to be conscious of Allah and fulfill our duties towards Him, we are on the path to gaining His satisfaction. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) is pleased with those who fear Him and strive to live a righteous life.

To further understand the significance of taqwa, let us delve into the meanings of some key words in the Hadith. The word (رِضَى) "rida" refers to Allah's pleasure or satisfaction. It signifies a state of contentment and approval from the Almighty. The word (حاجَة) "hajah" means demand or requirement. It implies that taqwa is not merely a recommendation, but a necessary obligation that Allah expects from His creation.

To support the importance of taqwa, we can turn to the Quran. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah says, (Quran 3:102)

O you who have believed, fear Allah as He should be feared and do not die except as Muslims [in submission to Him]

This verse emphasizes the significance of taqwa as a fundamental aspect of faith. It is through taqwa that we attain true submission to Allah's will and seek to live our lives in accordance with His guidance.

Another verse that highlights the importance of taqwa is found in Surah Al-Hujurat, where Allah says, (Quran 49:13)

Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted

This verse reminds us that our worth and status in the eyes of Allah is not determined by our worldly possessions or social standing, but by our level of taqwa. The more conscious we are of Allah and the more we strive to please Him, the higher our rank becomes in His sight.

The Hadith also draws our attention to the fact that Allah is fully aware of our actions, both in secret and in public. He knows what we do behind closed doors, as well as what we openly display to the world. This serves as a reminder that we cannot hide anything from Allah, and that we should always strive to maintain taqwa in all aspects of our lives.

When we internalize the concept of taqwa and make it a guiding principle in our lives, it has profound implications. Taqwa motivates us to constantly seek Allah's pleasure and avoid actions that displease Him. It encourages us to be mindful of our intentions and actions, ensuring that they align with the teachings of Islam. Taqwa also serves as a shield against sin and wrongdoing, as it instills a sense of accountability and consciousness of Allah's presence.

Furthermore, taqwa has far-reaching consequences in both our personal and collective lives. Individually, it leads to spiritual growth, self-discipline, and a stronger connection with Allah. It helps us overcome our desires and temptations, enabling us to make choices that are pleasing to Allah. Collectively, taqwa fosters a just and compassionate society, as individuals who possess taqwa are more likely to fulfill their responsibilities towards others and uphold the principles of justice and fairness.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the significance of taqwa in the eyes of Allah. It is through taqwa that we strive to gain Allah's pleasure and fulfill our obligations as His servants. Taqwa is a comprehensive concept that encompasses both internal and external actions, and it serves as a guiding principle in all aspects of our lives. By being mindful of Allah's presence, we can cultivate taqwa and strive to live a life that is pleasing to Him. May Allah grant us the ability to attain taqwa and seek His pleasure in all that we do.