Hadith #8676

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. 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:

طَريقَتُنا اَلقَصْدُ، وَسُنَّتُنا اَلرُّشْدُ۔

This can be translated as:

Our way is moderation and our practice is right guidance.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this enlightening saying of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in light of the Quran.

Firstly, let us understand the key words in this Hadith. (tarīqatunā) "طَريقَتُنا" refers to our way or path, while (al-qasdu) "القَصْدُ" means moderation. (sunnatunā) "سُنَّتُنا" refers to our practice or tradition, and (ar-rushdu) "الرُّشْدُ" signifies right guidance.

The Quran emphasizes the importance of moderation in various aspects of life. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (2:143)

And thus We have made you a just community that you will be witnesses over the people and the Messenger will be a witness over you

This verse highlights the balanced nature of the Muslim community, which is based on justice and moderation.

Additionally, in Surah Al-Hajj, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) advises, (22:78)

And strive for Allah with the striving due to Him. He has chosen you and has not placed upon you in the religion any difficulty

This verse emphasizes the importance of striving in the path of Allah with moderation, without burdening oneself with unnecessary hardships.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes that moderation is the way of the Ahl al-Bayt, the family of the Prophet (ﷺ). They exemplify this balance in their actions, teachings, and guidance. They neither lean towards extremism nor negligence, but rather follow the middle path.

This moderation is not limited to religious practices but extends to all aspects of life. It encompasses our interactions with others, our approach to worldly affairs, and our pursuit of knowledge. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) encourages Muslims to adopt a balanced approach in all aspects of their lives, avoiding extremes and finding the middle ground.

By following the path of moderation, Muslims can avoid the pitfalls of extremism and maintain a harmonious balance in their lives. This approach fosters unity, understanding, and tolerance within the Muslim community and promotes a positive image of Islam to the wider society.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasis on right guidance in our practice or tradition is a reminder to adhere to the teachings of the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). The Quran states, (4:69)

And whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger - those will be with the ones upon whom Allah has bestowed favor of the prophets, the steadfast affirmers of truth, the martyrs and the righteous. And excellent are those as companions

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) encourages Muslims to follow the righteous path and adhere to the teachings of the Prophet (ﷺ) and his purified progeny. By doing so, we align ourselves with the guidance of Allah and attain His favor. This entails not only performing the obligatory acts of worship but also embodying the values of compassion, justice, and integrity in our daily lives.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a guiding principle for Muslims. It reminds us of the importance of moderation in all aspects of life and the significance of following the right guidance in our practices. By adopting this balanced approach and adhering to the teachings of the Quran and the Prophet (ﷺ), we can lead a life that is pleasing to Allah and beneficial to ourselves and society. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to embody these principles and walk the path of moderation and right guidance.