Hadith #11178

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be 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 Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

The most virtuous of you is the most God-wary among you.

This profound statement emphasizes the importance of taqwa, which can be translated as "God-consciousness" or "piety." Taqwa is a fundamental concept in Islam, and it refers to being aware of Allah's presence, fearing His punishment, and striving to please Him in all aspects of life.

Let us delve deeper into the words of this Hadith. The word "abar" means "most virtuous" or "most righteous." It signifies a person's moral excellence and adherence to the principles of Islam. The word "atqa" means "the most God-wary" or "the most pious." It refers to a person who is constantly mindful of Allah's commands and avoids anything that may displease Him.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:13),

O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous among you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.

This verse reinforces the idea that true nobility and virtue lie in righteousness and piety. It is not based on one's lineage, wealth, or social status, but rather on their level of taqwa. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) is the ultimate judge of our actions, and He values those who are conscious of Him and strive to please Him.

Another verse that supports the Hadith is found in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:197), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

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

This verse highlights the importance of taqwa as the best provision for our journey in this world and the Hereafter. It reminds us that material possessions and worldly achievements hold no value in comparison to the piety and consciousness of Allah.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder to all Muslims that true greatness lies in cultivating taqwa and striving to be God-wary in all aspects of our lives. It is not enough to merely perform religious rituals; rather, we must internalize the essence of taqwa and let it guide our thoughts, actions, and interactions with others.

By embodying taqwa, we become more mindful of our responsibilities towards Allah and His creation. We become more compassionate, just, and honest in our dealings. Taqwa motivates us to seek knowledge, purify our intentions, and constantly strive for self-improvement.

The consequences of embodying taqwa are profound. It leads to a life of righteousness, contentment, and inner peace. It protects us from falling into sinful behaviors and helps us resist the temptations of this world. Taqwa also strengthens our relationship with Allah, as we become more conscious of His presence and seek His guidance in all matters.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we should ask ourselves: Are we truly striving to be the most virtuous by being the most God-wary? Are we constantly seeking to increase our taqwa and align our actions with the teachings of Islam? Let us take inspiration from the words of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and make taqwa the guiding principle of our lives, for it is through taqwa that we can attain true virtue and closeness to Allah. May Allah grant us the ability to embody taqwa and be among those who are truly virtuous.