Hadith #4018

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 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,

سَبَبُ الوَرَعِ صِحَّةُ الدّينِ۔

This Hadith can be translated as,

The cause of piety is soundness of faith.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this profound statement in light of the Quran.

First, let us understand the key words in this Hadith. (warā') "وَرَعِ" refers to piety or righteousness, which encompasses a deep sense of God-consciousness and fear of displeasing Him. It is a state of being cautious and mindful of one's actions, thoughts, and intentions. (sihhah) "صِحَّةُ" means soundness or health, indicating that the foundation of piety lies in the strength and purity of one's faith. (ad-dīn) "الدّينِ" refers to religion, encompassing the beliefs, practices, and moral principles that guide a person's life.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Al-Hujurat (49:13), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

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 among you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.

This verse emphasizes that true nobility and superiority lie in righteousness, which is the essence of piety. It is not one's lineage, wealth, or worldly status that determines their worth, but rather their level of piety and devotion to Allah.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:14), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

The Arabs say, 'We have believed.' Say, 'You have not [yet] believed; but say [instead], 'We have submitted,' for faith has not yet entered your hearts. And if you obey Allah and His Messenger, He will not deprive you from your deeds of anything. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.'

This verse highlights the importance of soundness of faith. Mere verbal declaration of faith is not sufficient; true faith must penetrate the depths of one's heart and manifest in righteous actions. It is through sincere submission to Allah and obedience to His commands that one's faith becomes sound and genuine.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith emphasizes the inseparable connection between piety and the soundness of faith. Piety is not merely a superficial display of religious rituals, but a reflection of the strength and purity of one's faith. A person with a sound and healthy faith is naturally inclined towards righteousness and God-consciousness. Their actions are guided by the fear of displeasing Allah and the desire to attain His pleasure.

The consequences of embodying this Hadith are profound. When individuals prioritize the soundness of their faith, they become more conscious of their actions and strive to align them with the teachings of Islam. This leads to a transformation in their character, as they become more compassionate, just, and humble. They become mindful of their responsibilities towards Allah, themselves, and others, and seek to fulfill them to the best of their abilities.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we are reminded of the importance of nurturing and strengthening our faith. It is not enough to simply go through the motions of religious practices; we must strive to deepen our understanding of Islam, purify our intentions, and constantly seek to improve ourselves. By doing so, we can cultivate piety within ourselves and become true embodiments of the teachings of Islam.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to develop a sound and healthy faith, and may He bless us with true piety that is reflected in our actions. Ameen.