Hadith #11309

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.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he states,

One’s zeal is [proportionate] to the extent of one’s endeavor.

Let us delve into the meanings of the important words in this Hadith and explore its deeper implications in light of the Quran.

The word (himma) "هِمَّةِ" in Arabic refers to one's aspiration, determination, and eagerness to achieve a goal. It encompasses the inner drive and motivation that pushes an individual towards their objectives. It is the fuel that ignites the fire of passion within a person's heart.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes that the level of (hamiya) "حَمِيَّةُ", which can be translated as zeal or enthusiasm, is directly proportional to the level of effort and endeavor one puts forth. This means that the more one strives and exerts themselves towards a goal, the greater their zeal and passion will be.

This profound teaching of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) finds support in numerous verses of the Quran. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of striving and exerting effort in various aspects of life.

In Surah Al-Isra, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 53:39)

And that man can have nothing but what he strives for.

This verse highlights the principle that the outcome of our endeavors is directly linked to the level of effort we put in. It reinforces the idea that our zeal and passion are in direct proportion to our endeavor.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Mumtahanah, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 60:1)

O you who have believed, do not take My enemies and your enemies as allies, extending to them affection while they have disbelieved in what came to you of the truth, having driven out the Prophet and yourselves [only] because you believe in Allah, your Lord. If you have come out for jihad in My cause and seeking means to My approval, [take them not as friends]. You confide to them affection, but I am most knowing of what you have concealed and what you have declared. And whoever does it among you has certainly strayed from the soundness of the way.

This verse highlights the importance of striving and making efforts for the sake of Allah's approval. It emphasizes that true zeal and passion are manifested when one exerts themselves in the cause of Allah, seeking His pleasure and following His guidance. The more we strive and endeavor in His cause, the stronger our zeal and enthusiasm will become.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder for all Muslims to never underestimate the power of effort and determination. It encourages us to actively pursue our goals and aspirations, knowing that our zeal will grow in proportion to our endeavors.

When we apply this teaching to various aspects of our lives, we can witness its profound impact. Whether it is in our pursuit of knowledge, our dedication to worship, or our commitment to serving humanity, the more effort we put in, the greater our passion and enthusiasm will be.

For example, if we strive to acquire knowledge by dedicating ourselves to studying the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), our zeal for seeking knowledge will increase. The more we exert ourselves in understanding and implementing the teachings of Islam, the stronger our passion for seeking knowledge will become.

Similarly, if we endeavor to improve our character and develop good habits, our enthusiasm for self-improvement will grow. The more we strive to be kind, patient, and compassionate, the greater our zeal for embodying these qualities will be.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith teaches us that our zeal and enthusiasm are directly linked to our efforts and endeavors. By striving and exerting ourselves in various aspects of life, we can witness the growth of our passion and motivation. Let us remember this profound teaching and strive to excel in all that we do, seeking Allah's pleasure and following the path of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his noble companions. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength and determination to always strive for excellence.