Hadith #4771

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due 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 Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

One whose inward [feeling] is good, his outward [character] is righteous.

This enlightening saying emphasizes the importance of having a pure and virtuous heart, as it reflects in one's actions and behavior towards others. Let us delve deeper into the meaning of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (hasunat) "حَسُنَتْ" in Arabic refers to goodness, beauty, or excellence. It encompasses qualities such as righteousness, kindness, and sincerity. The word (sirratuhu) "سَرِيرَتُهُ" refers to the innermost part of a person, their thoughts, intentions, and feelings. On the other hand, (alanīyatuhu) "عَلَانِيَتُهُ" refers to the outward manifestation of one's character, their actions, and behavior that are visible to others.

The Quran provides numerous verses that emphasize the significance of having a good heart and its correlation with righteous actions. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:13),

O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.

This verse highlights that the true measure of nobility and superiority in the sight of Allah lies in righteousness. It is not based on one's lineage, wealth, or social status, but rather on the purity of their heart and their adherence to the teachings of Islam. A person with a good inward feeling, as mentioned in the Hadith, is one who possesses righteousness and acts upon it, regardless of their external circumstances.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qasas (28:56), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

Indeed, [O Muhammad], you do not guide whom you like, but Allah guides whom He wills. And He is most knowing of the [rightly] guided.

This verse reminds us that true guidance comes from Allah alone. It is He who enlightens the hearts of individuals and leads them towards righteousness. Therefore, a person with a good inward feeling is one who has been blessed with divine guidance and is on the path of righteousness.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the profound connection between one's inner state and their outward character. A person with a pure and virtuous heart will naturally exhibit righteous behavior and treat others with kindness, compassion, and respect. Their actions will be a reflection of their inner qualities, and their interactions with others will be guided by the principles of justice and morality.

For example, a person with a good inward feeling will not only fulfill their obligatory acts of worship but will also go beyond that by engaging in voluntary acts of charity, helping those in need, and spreading goodness in society. They will strive to embody the qualities of patience, forgiveness, and humility, as taught by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and exemplified by the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ).

Conversely, a person with a corrupt inward feeling will exhibit negative traits such as arrogance, selfishness, and dishonesty in their outward character. Their actions will be driven by personal gain and self-interest, disregarding the rights and well-being of others. Such individuals may engage in deceit, oppression, and injustice, causing harm and discord in society.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to focus on purifying their hearts and nurturing their inward feelings. By doing so, they will naturally manifest righteousness in their outward character and become a source of goodness and guidance for others. It is through the alignment of our inner and outer selves that we can strive to attain true piety and earn the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May Allah (تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to cultivate goodness within ourselves and reflect it in our actions.