Hadith #6049

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) states,

Whoever takes the obedience of Allah as his merchandise, profits come to him without any trade.

Let us delve into the significance of this statement and explore its implications in light of the Quran.

Firstly, let us examine the key words in this Hadith. The word (ta'at) "طاعَةَ" refers to obedience, submission, and compliance with the commands of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It encompasses all acts of worship and righteous deeds that are performed with sincerity and devotion. The word (bidā'ah) "بِضاعَةً" means merchandise or trade, indicating that the obedience of Allah is not just a mere obligation, but a valuable commodity that one should seek and acquire.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 207:

And of the people is he who sells himself, seeking means to the approval of Allah. And Allah is kind to [His] servants.

This verse emphasizes the concept of selling oneself for the sake of Allah, which is in line with the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). When one prioritizes the obedience of Allah above all worldly pursuits, they are essentially trading their desires, ambitions, and personal interests for the pleasure and approval of Allah.

Furthermore, the Quran also highlights the rewards and blessings that come with obedience to Allah. In Surah Al-Imran, verse 195, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

And their Lord responded to them, 'Never will I allow to be lost the work of [any] worker among you, whether male or female; you are of one another. So those who emigrated or were evicted from their homes or were harmed in My cause or fought or were killed - I will surely remove from them their misdeeds, and I will surely admit them to gardens beneath which rivers flow as reward from Allah, and Allah has with Him the best reward.'

This verse assures us that Allah never overlooks the efforts and sacrifices made in His cause. Those who prioritize obedience to Allah and endure hardships for His sake will be rewarded abundantly. Their misdeeds will be forgiven, and they will be granted entry into the gardens of Paradise, where rivers flow - a reward that surpasses any worldly profit or gain.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to prioritize the obedience of Allah in their lives. It encourages us to view obedience not as a burden, but as a valuable investment that yields immeasurable rewards. Just as a merchant seeks profit and success in their trade, a believer should seek the pleasure of Allah through acts of worship and righteous deeds.

By taking the obedience of Allah as our merchandise, we can experience spiritual growth, contentment, and blessings in this world and the hereafter. This mindset transforms our daily actions into acts of worship, whether it be fulfilling our obligations, showing kindness to others, or seeking knowledge. Every action becomes an opportunity to trade our efforts for the eternal rewards promised by Allah.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of prioritizing the obedience of Allah in our lives. It encourages us to view obedience as a valuable commodity that brings forth abundant rewards and blessings. By adopting this mindset, we can transform our daily actions into acts of worship and seek the pleasure of Allah in all aspects of our lives. May Allah guide us all to be among those who take His obedience as their merchandise and reap the eternal profits that come with it.