Hadith #7715

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 Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of aligning our actions with our words. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his deep knowledge and wisdom, emphasizes that supplementing our words with actions is the highest form of virtue, while the separation of action from words is the most repugnant vice.

Let us delve into the significance of this Hadith by examining the key words and their implications. The word (ziyadatu) "زيادَةُ" means "supplementing" or "adding," indicating the necessity of going beyond mere words and complementing them with corresponding actions. This implies that our actions should be consistent with what we profess or promise.

On the other hand, the word (naqsu) "نَقْصُ" means "abstraction" or "separation," suggesting the detachment of actions from words. This signifies a lack of integrity and sincerity, where one's actions do not align with their verbal expressions.

To further understand the significance of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of righteous actions in Surah Al-Asr, stating, (Quran 103:1-3)

By time, indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience

Here, Allah highlights the indispensability of both belief and righteous actions for attaining salvation.

Additionally, in Surah Al-Hujurat, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns against the hypocrisy of those whose actions contradict their words, stating, (Quran 2:44)

Say, 'Do you order righteousness of the people and forget yourselves while you recite the Scripture? Then will you not reason?'

This verse serves as a reminder that true righteousness requires self-reflection and self-accountability.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith aligns perfectly with these Quranic teachings, emphasizing the need for congruence between our words and actions. It calls upon Muslims to embody sincerity, integrity, and consistency in their daily lives.

Practically, this Hadith urges us to reflect on our own behavior. Are we fulfilling our promises and commitments? Are our actions aligned with the values we espouse? It reminds us that our actions have consequences and that our character is defined by how well we integrate our words and deeds.

For instance, if we claim to be advocates of justice, it is not enough to merely speak about it; we must actively work towards establishing justice in our interactions and society. Similarly, if we profess love and compassion, we must demonstrate these qualities through our actions, treating others with kindness and empathy.

Conversely, when actions are divorced from words, it leads to hypocrisy and undermines trust. If we consistently fail to act upon our promises or contradict our own principles, our credibility diminishes, and our words lose their impact. This not only affects our relationships with others but also weakens our own sense of self.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to align their words with their actions. It emphasizes that true virtue lies in supplementing our words with righteous deeds, while the separation of action from words is a reprehensible vice. By integrating our beliefs, words, and actions, we can strive towards a life of integrity, sincerity, and consistency, thereby embodying the teachings of Islam and earning the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May Allah guide us all on the path of righteousness and grant us the strength to live by the principles we profess.