Hadith #4822

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, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the concept of moderation and balance in our actions and behaviors. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states that extravagance, or excessive indulgence, is condemned in all aspects of life except when it comes to performing virtuous acts and being excessive in obedience and worship of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, let us first examine the key words used by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). The word (saraf) "سَرَفُ" refers to extravagance or excessiveness, while (sanaa'i) "صَنَايِعِ" means virtuous acts or good deeds. The word (mubalaghah) "مُبَالَغَةُ" denotes excessiveness or going beyond the limits. Lastly, (ta'ah) "الطَّاعَةِ" refers to obedience and worship of Allah.

In the Quran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of moderation and balance in various aspects of life. For example, in Surah Al-A'raf (7:31), Allah says,

O children of Adam, take your adornment at every masjid, and eat and drink, but be not excessive. Indeed, He likes not those who commit excess.

This ayah reminds us that while it is permissible to enjoy the blessings of this world, we should not go to extremes in our desires and indulgences. We should strive to strike a balance between fulfilling our needs and desires, while also being mindful of our obligations towards Allah and our fellow human beings.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:143), Allah instructs the believers to be a moderate nation, saying,

And thus we have made you a just community that you will be witnesses over the people and the Messenger will be a witness over you.

This verse highlights the importance of moderation in our actions and behaviors. As Muslims, we are called to be balanced and just in all aspects of our lives, including our worship, interactions with others, and our pursuit of worldly matters.

Now, coming back to the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he reminds us that while extravagance and excessiveness are generally discouraged, there are certain areas where they are not only permissible but also commendable. These include the performance of virtuous acts and being excessive in our obedience and worship of Allah.

Performing virtuous acts refers to engaging in acts of kindness, charity, and righteousness. It means going above and beyond what is expected of us in order to please Allah and benefit others. For example, if someone regularly gives a portion of their wealth in charity, being excessive in this act would mean increasing the amount of charity they give, without causing harm to themselves or their dependents.

Similarly, being excessive in obedience and worship of Allah means going beyond the obligatory acts of worship, such as performing voluntary prayers, fasting outside of Ramadan, and engaging in extra acts of worship like reciting Quran and engaging in remembrance of Allah.

By encouraging us to be excessive in these areas, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is reminding us of the immense rewards and blessings that come with striving for excellence in our relationship with Allah. It is a call to elevate our spiritual state and draw closer to our Creator through acts of devotion and righteousness.

However, it is important to note that even in these areas, moderation is key. Being excessive should not lead to neglecting other important aspects of our lives, such as fulfilling our responsibilities towards our families, communities, and ourselves. It should not lead to neglecting our physical and mental well-being or causing harm to others.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of balance and moderation in all aspects of our lives. While extravagance and excessiveness are generally discouraged, there are certain areas, such as performing virtuous acts and being excessive in obedience to Allah, where they are not only permissible but also commendable. By striking a balance between our worldly pursuits and our obligations towards Allah and others, we can lead a fulfilling and righteous life as Muslims. May Allah guide us all on the path of moderation and bless us with His mercy and forgiveness.