Hadith #4950

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

لا إيمانَ أفْضَلُ مِنَ الاِسْتِسْلامِ۔

This can be translated as,

There is no faith better than surrendering to the will of Allah.

This profound statement by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance and superiority of complete submission to the divine commandments of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Let us delve into the meanings of the key words in this Hadith. (Iman) "إيمانَ" refers to faith or belief in Allah and His teachings. It encompasses both the belief in the heart and the actions that manifest this belief. (afdal) "أفْضَلُ" means superior or better. (al-istislam) "الاِسْتِسْلامِ" refers to surrendering or submitting oneself to the will of Allah, acknowledging His sovereignty and obeying His commands.

To understand the significance of surrendering to the will of Allah, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:208),

O you who have believed, enter into peace completely and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.

This verse emphasizes the importance of submitting to Allah's will wholeheartedly, without any reservations or compromises. It is through this complete surrender that we can attain true peace and protection from the whispers of Satan.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Imran (3:19), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam. And those who were given the Scripture did not differ except after knowledge had come to them - out of jealous animosity between themselves. And whoever disbelieves in the verses of Allah, then indeed, Allah is swift in [taking] account.

This verse highlights that Islam, which encompasses the act of surrendering to Allah's will, is the true religion in the sight of Allah. It is through this submission that we can attain closeness to Allah and live a life in accordance with His teachings.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement emphasizes the superiority of surrendering to the will of Allah over mere belief or faith. It is not enough to merely believe in Allah; rather, true faith is manifested through complete submission to His commands. This surrender requires us to align our actions, thoughts, and desires with the teachings of Islam.

When we surrender to the will of Allah, we acknowledge His infinite wisdom and knowledge. We recognize that He knows what is best for us, even if it may not align with our personal desires or understanding. This surrender is an act of humility and trust in Allah's divine plan. It allows us to let go of our ego, attachments, and worldly desires, and instead prioritize the pleasure of Allah.

Surrendering to the will of Allah has profound consequences in our lives. It brings us closer to Allah and strengthens our relationship with Him. It enables us to navigate the challenges and trials of life with patience and resilience, knowing that everything is happening according to Allah's decree. It also allows us to find peace and contentment, as we trust in Allah's wisdom and rely on His guidance.

Reflecting on Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement, we are reminded of the importance of surrendering to the will of Allah in every aspect of our lives. Whether it is in matters of worship, relationships, or decision-making, we should strive to align our actions with the teachings of Islam. By doing so, we can attain true faith and experience the blessings and tranquility that come with surrendering to the will of Allah.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to surrender to His will and strengthen our faith through complete submission. Ameen.