Hadith #4025

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due 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,

The rectitude of religion is [through] piety.

This concise statement holds profound wisdom and guidance for Muslims in their pursuit of a righteous and upright religious life.

Let us begin by examining the key words in this Hadith. The word (salah) "صَلاحُ" refers to rectitude, righteousness, or correctness. It signifies the state of being upright and in accordance with the teachings of Islam. The word (ad-deen) "الدّينِ" refers to religion, encompassing all aspects of faith, worship, and moral conduct. Lastly, the word (al-wara') "الوَرَعُ" refers to piety, consciousness of Allah, and abstaining from what is doubtful or prohibited.

To understand the significance of piety in the rectitude of religion, we turn to the Quran, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of taqwa (piety) in guiding one's actions and decisions. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah says, (Quran 3:102)

O you who have believed, fear Allah as He should be feared and do not die except as Muslims [in submission to Him]

Here, the fear of Allah and submission to His commands are essential elements of piety.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hujurat, Allah states, (Quran 49:13)

Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous (al-Atqākum)

This verse highlights the correlation between righteousness and piety, indicating that the rectitude of religion is indeed achieved through piety.

Piety is not merely a superficial display of religious observances, but rather a deep-rooted consciousness of Allah's presence and a sincere effort to align one's actions with His commands. It entails refraining from sinful acts, avoiding doubtful matters, and striving to fulfill one's religious obligations with sincerity and devotion.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his profound knowledge and wisdom, emphasizes the importance of piety in maintaining the rectitude of religion. By highlighting piety as the key element, he reminds Muslims that true righteousness lies in the purity of intentions and the sincerity of actions.

The consequences of neglecting piety are evident in the Quranic narrative of Prophet Adam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and Hawwa (Eve). When they were tempted by Satan and ate from the forbidden tree, they were expelled from Paradise. Their lack of piety led to their downfall and separation from the blessings of Allah. This serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of piety in preserving the rectitude of religion.

On the other hand, the rewards of piety are abundant. In Surah Al-Hujurat, Allah says, (Quran 2:222)

Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves

This verse highlights Allah's love for those who constantly seek repentance and strive for purification, which are integral aspects of piety.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that the rectitude of religion is achieved through piety. Piety is the cornerstone of a righteous and upright religious life, guiding Muslims to align their actions with the commands of Allah. It requires a deep-rooted consciousness of Allah's presence, refraining from sinful acts, and striving to fulfill religious obligations with sincerity and devotion. Neglecting piety can lead to spiritual downfall, while embracing it brings abundant rewards and the love of Allah. May we all strive to cultivate piety in our lives and seek rectitude in our religion.