Hadith #4029

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,

صِيانَةُ المَرءِ على قَدْرِ دِيانَتِهِ۔

This can be translated as,

A person’s preservation [of himself from sin] is to the extent of his religiousness.

Let us delve into the meaning of some important words in this Hadith. The word (siyanah) "صِيانَةُ" refers to the preservation or protection of oneself. It implies safeguarding oneself from sins and immoral actions. The word (mar'i) "مَرءِ" means a person or an individual. And the word (diyanatihi) "دِيانَتِهِ" refers to a person's religiousness or level of faith.

To understand the impactful message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. 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 emphasizes that the true measure of a person's worth and nobility lies in their righteousness and piety. It is not based on their race, ethnicity, or social status. Similarly, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights that a person's preservation and protection from sins is directly proportional to their level of religiousness.

To illustrate this further, let us consider a practical example. Imagine two individuals, both faced with the temptation to engage in a sinful act. The first person, who has a strong connection with their faith and a deep understanding of its teachings, will be more likely to resist the temptation and preserve themselves from sin. On the other hand, the second person, who lacks religiousness and neglects their spiritual growth, may easily succumb to the temptation and fall into sin.

This Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to prioritize their religiousness and strengthen their faith. By doing so, they can protect themselves from the harmful consequences of sinful actions. It motivates us to continuously strive for self-improvement and spiritual growth, as it is through our commitment to our faith that we can safeguard our souls.

The consequences of neglecting one's religiousness are grave. When a person distances themselves from the teachings of Islam and fails to preserve themselves from sin, they risk damaging their relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). They may also face negative consequences in their personal and social lives, as sinful actions often lead to regret, guilt, and a loss of integrity.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we are reminded of the importance of continuously seeking knowledge, understanding, and implementing the teachings of Islam. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) was known for his profound knowledge and wisdom, and he serves as an exemplary role model for Muslims in their pursuit of religiousness.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that our preservation and protection from sin is directly linked to our religiousness. It emphasizes the significance of prioritizing our faith and continuously striving to strengthen our connection with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). By doing so, we can safeguard ourselves from the harmful consequences of sinful actions and attain spiritual growth and righteousness. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to preserve ourselves and increase our religiousness.