Hadith #10886

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due 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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

Piety is eschewal [of the forbidden].

The word "piety" in this Hadith refers to "al-wara'," which can be understood as a deep sense of consciousness and fear of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It is a state of being cautious and avoiding anything that may displease Allah or lead to sin.

The word "eschewal" means to actively avoid or abstain from something. In the context of this Hadith, it refers to avoiding the forbidden acts and staying away from anything that may lead to sin or disobedience to Allah.

This concept of piety and eschewal is emphasized in the Quran as well. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hajj (22:32),

That [is so]. And whoever honors the symbols of Allah - indeed, it is from the piety of hearts.

This verse highlights the importance of honoring the symbols and commands of Allah, which is a manifestation of piety.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:197), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is piety. So fear Me, O you of understanding.

Here, Allah emphasizes that the best provision for the journey of life is piety. It is through piety that one can attain true understanding and consciousness of Allah.

Now, let us delve deeper into the exegesis of the Hadith. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is teaching us that true piety lies in actively avoiding the forbidden acts. It is not merely about refraining from committing sins, but also about staying away from situations, environments, and influences that may lead us towards sin.

For example, if one wants to maintain their piety, they should not only avoid consuming alcohol but also avoid places where alcohol is served or where people engage in sinful behavior. By doing so, they are actively protecting themselves from the temptation and the possibility of falling into sin.

Piety is not a passive state; it requires constant vigilance and self-discipline. It is about being aware of our actions, intentions, and the consequences they may have on our relationship with Allah. It is about making conscious choices that align with the teachings of Islam and avoiding anything that may lead us astray.

The motivation behind this eschewal is the love and fear of Allah. When we truly love and fear Allah, we strive to please Him in every aspect of our lives. We understand that sinning not only displeases Allah but also distances us from His mercy and blessings. Therefore, we actively avoid the forbidden acts out of our love and fear for Allah.

The consequences of practicing piety and eschewal are profound. By avoiding the forbidden, we protect ourselves from the spiritual and moral harm that sin brings. We preserve our integrity, strengthen our relationship with Allah, and pave the way for His guidance and blessings to enter our lives.

Moreover, practicing piety and eschewal also has a positive impact on our character and interactions with others. It cultivates humility, honesty, and righteousness within us. It helps us become better individuals, contributing positively to our families, communities, and society as a whole.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that true piety lies in actively avoiding the forbidden acts. It is about being conscious of our actions, intentions, and the consequences they may have on our relationship with Allah. By practicing piety and eschewal, we protect ourselves from sin, strengthen our relationship with Allah, and become better individuals. May Allah grant us the ability to practice true piety and eschewal in our lives.