Hadith #3398

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

ألا إنَّ أبْصَرَ الأبْصارِ، مَنْ نَفَذَ فِي الخَيْرِ طَرْفُهُ۔

This can be translated as,

Indeed, the most perceptive of seers is one whose gaze penetrates into good actions.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this profound statement by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and explore its implications in light of the Quran.

The word (abṣara) "أبْصَرَ" in Arabic refers to the ability to see or perceive. It signifies not only physical sight but also the insight and understanding that goes beyond the surface level. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes that true perception lies in the ability to penetrate into (al-khayr) "الخَيْرِ", which means goodness or righteousness. It implies that merely observing good actions is not enough; one must deeply comprehend and internalize the essence of those actions.

This concept is beautifully echoed in the Quran, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) encourages believers to reflect upon the signs of His creation. In Surah Al-Imran (3:190-191), Allah says,

Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day are signs for those of understanding - Who remember Allah while standing or sitting or [lying] on their sides and give thought to the creation of the heavens and the earth.

Here, Allah emphasizes the importance of contemplating His creation and recognizing His signs. This reflection goes beyond mere observation; it involves pondering over the purpose and wisdom behind the existence of everything. Similarly, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the significance of penetrating into the depths of good actions, rather than merely superficially witnessing them.

Furthermore, the phrase (man nafatha fi al-khayr tarafuhu)

مَنْ نَفَذَ فِي الخَيْرِ طَرْفُهُ

in the Hadith implies that the one who truly perceives good actions is the one who actively engages in them. It is not enough to passively observe or acknowledge goodness; one must actively participate and contribute to it. This aligns with the Quranic teachings that emphasize the importance of righteous deeds and the impact they have on individuals and society as a whole.

In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:277), Allah says,

Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds and establish prayer and give zakah will have their reward with their Lord, and there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.

This verse emphasizes the inseparable connection between faith and good actions. True perception of good actions requires active engagement and implementation of those actions in our own lives.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) wise utterance serves as a reminder to Muslims of the importance of not only recognizing good actions but also actively participating in them. It urges us to go beyond the surface level and deeply understand the essence and purpose of righteousness. By doing so, we can truly perceive the beauty and significance of good actions and strive to incorporate them into our own lives.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to be perceptive of good actions and inspire us to actively engage in them. May He bless us with the insight to understand the wisdom behind His signs and the strength to implement them in our lives. Ameen.