Hadith #11199

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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

مَنِ اتَّقى رَبَّهُ كانَ كَريماً۔

This can be translated as,

Whoever fears his Lord is [indeed] honorable.

Let us delve into the meaning of some key words in this Hadith. The word (ittaqa) "اتَّقى" is derived from the root word (waqa) "وَقَى", which means to protect or guard oneself. In the context of this Hadith, it refers to the act of fearing Allah and being conscious of His presence in all aspects of life. It entails being mindful of His commands and avoiding anything that displeases Him. The word (rabbahu) "رَبَّهُ" refers to one's Lord, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe.

To understand the beautiful message of this Hadith, we turn to the Quran, which provides numerous verses that emphasize the significance of God-consciousness and its correlation with honor and nobility. 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 true honor and nobility are not based on lineage, wealth, or worldly status, but rather on righteousness and God-consciousness. It is the fear of Allah and adherence to His commands that elevates a person's status in His sight. This aligns perfectly with the message of Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith, which emphasizes that true honor lies in one's piety and consciousness of their Lord.

Another verse that supports this concept is found in Surah Al-Anfal (8:29), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

O you who have believed, if you fear Allah, He will grant you a criterion and will remove from you your misdeeds and forgive you. And Allah is the possessor of great bounty.

This verse assures us that when we fear Allah and strive to please Him, He will bless us with guidance and wisdom to distinguish between right and wrong. He will also forgive our sins and purify our hearts. This is a manifestation of Allah's mercy and generosity towards those who fear Him.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder that true honor is not attained through worldly possessions or material achievements. Rather, it is attained through a deep sense of God-consciousness and a sincere commitment to following His guidance. When a person fears Allah, they are motivated to lead a righteous life, avoiding sins and striving for excellence in all aspects of their existence.

This fear of Allah is not a fear of punishment, but rather a fear of disappointing the One who loves us unconditionally. It is a fear rooted in love, respect, and awe of Allah's greatness. This fear acts as a driving force that shapes our actions, intentions, and character. It prevents us from engaging in harmful or unethical behavior and encourages us to uphold justice, kindness, and compassion.

When a person embodies this fear of Allah, it reflects in their interactions with others. They become a source of goodness and guidance for those around them. Their honorable conduct and upright character inspire others to follow their example. This ripple effect of righteousness has the potential to transform societies and bring about positive change.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that true honor lies in fearing Allah and being conscious of His presence in our lives. It is through this fear that we attain a noble character and a righteous way of life. Let us strive to cultivate this fear of Allah within ourselves, for it is the key to attaining true honor and success in this world and the Hereafter. May Allah grant us the ability to be among those who fear Him and attain His pleasure.