Hadith #3173

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. May 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, "الإخْلاصُ عِبادَةُ المُقَرَّبينَ", which translates to

Sincerity is the worship of the Near Ones [to Allah].

This beautiful saying of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the significance of sincerity in our worship and its connection to attaining nearness to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Let us delve deeper into the key words of this Hadith. (Al-Ikhlas) "الإخْلاصُ" refers to sincerity or purity of intention. It is the act of worshiping Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) solely for His sake, without any ulterior motives or desires for worldly gains. It is a state of complete devotion and loyalty to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), seeking His pleasure above all else.

The term (Ibadah) "عِبادَةُ" means worship, encompassing all acts of devotion and obedience to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It includes acts of prayer, fasting, charity, and all other forms of worship prescribed in Islam. However, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes that true worship is not merely the external rituals, but rather the internal state of sincerity that accompanies them.

The phrase (Al-Muqarrabin) "المُقَرَّبينَ" refers to the Near Ones to Allah. These are the chosen servants of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) who have attained a high level of spiritual proximity to Him. They are the righteous individuals who have purified their hearts and souls through sincere worship and submission to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

The concept of sincerity in worship is emphasized in the Quran as well. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Zumar (39:11-14):

Say, 'Indeed, I have been commanded to worship Allah, sincere in my religion. And I have been commanded to be the first [among you] of the Muslims.' Say, 'Indeed I fear, if I should disobey my Lord, the punishment of a tremendous Day.' Say, 'Allah [alone] do I worship, sincere to Him in my religion, so worship what you will besides Him.' Say, 'Indeed, the losers are the ones who will lose themselves and their families on the Day of Resurrection. Unquestionably, that is the manifest loss.'

These verses highlight the importance of sincerity in worship and the consequences of insincerity. Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was commanded to worship Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) sincerely, without associating any partners with Him. This sincerity is a fundamental aspect of Islam and is essential for attaining nearness to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith reminds us that true worship is not limited to performing rituals mechanically, but rather it requires a genuine and sincere intention. When our worship is driven by a pure desire to seek the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) alone, it becomes a means of drawing closer to Him and attaining His nearness.

Sincerity in worship has profound implications for our spiritual growth and development. It purifies our intentions, strengthens our connection with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), and brings about a transformation in our character and behavior. It motivates us to strive for excellence in all aspects of our lives, knowing that our actions are being observed by the All-Knowing and All-Seeing.

Furthermore, sincerity in worship protects us from the pitfalls of hypocrisy and insincerity. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us in the Quran in Surah Al-Munafiqun (63:1-4):

When the hypocrites come to you, [O Muhammad], they say, 'We testify that you are the Messenger of Allah.' And Allah knows that you are His Messenger, and Allah testifies that the hypocrites are liars. They have taken their oaths as a cover, so they averted [people] from the way of Allah. Indeed, it was evil that they were doing. That is because they believed, and then they disbelieved; so their hearts were sealed over, and they do not understand. And when you see them, their forms please you, and if they speak, you listen to their speech. [They are] as if they were pieces of wood propped up - they think that every shout is against them. They are the enemy, so beware of them. May Allah destroy them; how are they deluded?

These verses highlight the danger of hypocrisy and insincerity in worship. The hypocrites outwardly professed faith but their hearts were devoid of sincerity. Their actions were driven by worldly motives and desires for recognition and praise. Such insincerity leads to spiritual stagnation and ultimately distances us from the nearness to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) that we seek.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that sincerity is the essence of true worship. It is through sincere devotion and loyalty to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) that we can attain nearness to Him. Sincerity purifies our intentions, strengthens our connection with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), and transforms our character. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to worship Him sincerely and attain His nearness.