Hadith #4857

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,

السَّعيدُ مَنْ أخْلَصَ الطَّاعَةَ

which translates to

Felicitous is one who makes his obedience [and worship] sincere.

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of sincerity in our acts of obedience and worship to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Let us delve deeper into the meaning of this Hadith by exploring the key words and concepts it contains. The word (felicitous) "السَّعيدُ" refers to a person who attains true happiness and success in this world and the hereafter. It is important to note that true felicity lies in the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). The word (makes sincere) "أخْلَصَ" signifies the act of purifying and making something solely for the sake of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). In this context, it refers to the sincerity of one's obedience and worship.

To understand the significance of sincerity in obedience and worship, we turn to the Quran for guidance. 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 was 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.'

These verses highlight the importance of sincerity in worship. Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was commanded to worship Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) with utmost sincerity, and he set the example for all Muslims to follow. Sincerity in worship means performing acts of obedience solely for the sake of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), seeking His pleasure and not desiring any worldly gain or recognition.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), being the gate to the city of knowledge, emphasizes the importance of sincerity in obedience and worship. He reminds us that true felicity lies in purifying our intentions and making our acts of obedience solely for the sake of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). When we perform acts of worship sincerely, without any ulterior motives, we attain true happiness and success in this world and the hereafter.

For example, when we pray, we should do so with the intention of seeking closeness to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and fulfilling our duty as His servants. We should not pray to show off or seek validation from others. Similarly, when we give charity, we should do so with the intention of helping those in need and seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), rather than seeking recognition or praise from people.

The consequences of practicing sincerity in obedience and worship are profound. When we make our acts of obedience solely for the sake of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), we purify our intentions and strengthen our connection with Him. This sincerity enhances the quality of our worship and brings us closer to attaining true felicity. It also protects us from the dangers of hypocrisy and insincerity, which can lead to spiritual decay and loss of reward.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the importance of sincerity in our acts of obedience and worship. By making our intentions pure and solely for the sake of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), we attain true happiness and success in this world and the hereafter. Let us strive to purify our intentions and make our acts of worship sincere, seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) alone. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to practice sincerity in all aspects of our lives.