Hadith #4024

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. Peace and blessings be upon the seal of the Prophets, Muhammad (ﷺ), his purified progeny, and his noble companions.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he outlines six fundamental principles of the religion. Let us delve into the exegesis of these principles and explore their significance in the light of the Quran.

The first principle mentioned by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is "sincerity of conviction" or "Ikhlas al-Yaqeen". This refers to the unwavering faith and firm belief in the oneness of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It is the foundation upon which all other aspects of faith are built. Allah emphasizes the importance of sincerity in numerous verses of the Quran, such as in Surah Al-Zumar (39:3), where He says,

Indeed, We have sent down to you the Book for the people in truth. So whoever is guided - it is for [the benefit of] his soul; and whoever goes astray only goes astray to its detriment. And you are not a manager over them.

The second principle mentioned is

giving advice to fellow Muslims

or "Nusuh al-Muslimin". This entails offering sincere counsel, guidance, and support to our fellow believers. The Quran encourages this act of kindness and emphasizes the importance of unity and brotherhood among Muslims. In Surah Al-Hujurat (49:10), Allah says,

The believers are but brothers, so make settlement between your brothers. And fear Allah that you may receive mercy.

The third principle is "establishing the prayer" or "Iqamat al-Salah". Prayer is one of the pillars of Islam and serves as a means of communication between the servant and the Creator. It is a manifestation of our submission to Allah and a source of spiritual nourishment. The Quran repeatedly emphasizes the importance of prayer, such as in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:45), where Allah says,

And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive [to Allah].

The fourth principle is "paying the zakāt" or "Ita' al-Zakat". Zakat is a form of obligatory charity that purifies our wealth and helps in the redistribution of resources among the less fortunate. It is a means of fulfilling our social responsibility and fostering economic justice. Allah commands the payment of zakat in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:43), saying,

And establish prayer and give zakah and bow with those who bow [in worship and obedience].

The fifth principle mentioned is "performing the Hajj" or "Hajj al-Bayt". Hajj is an annual pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca, which is an obligation upon those who are physically and financially capable. It is a profound journey of spiritual purification and a demonstration of unity among Muslims. The Quran mentions the significance of Hajj in Surah Al-Hajj (22:27), where Allah says,

And proclaim to the people the Hajj; they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every distant pass.

The sixth and final principle is

renouncing the pleasures of this world

or "Zuhd fi al-Dunya". This refers to detachment from worldly desires and material possessions, focusing instead on the eternal rewards of the hereafter. It is a reminder that our ultimate goal should be seeking the pleasure of Allah rather than the temporary pleasures of this world. The Quran advises against excessive attachment to worldly possessions in Surah Al-Hadid (57:20), stating,

Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children - like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris.

In conclusion, this Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) provides us with valuable insights into the fundamental principles of our faith. It emphasizes the importance of sincerity, unity, prayer, charity, pilgrimage, and detachment from worldly desires. By adhering to these principles, we can strengthen our relationship with Allah and strive for spiritual growth. May Allah guide us all to embody these principles in our lives and grant us success in this world and the hereafter.