Hadith #7666

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) emphasizes the importance of sincerity and purity of intention in our actions. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states that none of our actions will be accepted by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) unless they are performed with sincerity, without being tainted by vain desires or worldly motives.

Let us delve into the meanings of some key words in this Hadith. The word (ikhlashta) "أخْلَصْتَ" comes from the root word (khalasa) "خَلَصَ", which means to purify or to make something pure. In this context, it refers to the act of performing an action solely for the sake of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and seeking His pleasure. It entails removing any hidden motives or desires for personal gain or recognition.

The word (tashubhu) "تَشُبْهُ" is derived from the root word (shabaha) "شَبَهَ", which means to resemble or imitate. In this Hadith, it signifies the importance of avoiding actions that resemble or imitate the desires and inclinations of the ego or the worldly temptations. It urges us to refrain from performing deeds that are driven by our own whims and desires, rather than being in accordance with the teachings of Islam.

Furthermore, the phrase (asbab al-dunya) "أسْبَابِ الدُّنْيَا" refers to the worldly motives or materialistic aspirations that may corrupt the sincerity of our actions. It highlights the need to detach ourselves from the allure of worldly possessions, fame, and power, and to focus solely on seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

To understand the significance of sincerity and the rejection of vain desires and worldly motives in our actions, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Mu'minun (23:61):

But no, by your Lord, they will not [truly] believe until they make you, [O Muhammad], judge concerning that over which they dispute among themselves and then find within themselves no discomfort from what you have judged and submit in [full, willing] submission.

This verse highlights the importance of submitting to the judgment of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) without any discomfort or resistance. It signifies the need for sincerity and acceptance of the guidance of the Prophet (ﷺ) without allowing personal desires or worldly considerations to cloud our judgment.

In another verse, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Bayyinah (98:5):

And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give zakah. And that is the correct religion.

This verse emphasizes the importance of sincerity in worshiping Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and following the true religion. It highlights that sincerity is the foundation of the correct and acceptable practice of Islam.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to constantly evaluate their intentions and motivations behind their actions. It encourages us to purify our intentions and seek the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in all that we do. By doing so, we ensure that our actions are accepted by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and that they contribute to our spiritual growth and development.

Moreover, the Hadith warns against the dangers of allowing our actions to be influenced by vain desires and worldly motives. When our actions are driven by personal gain, recognition, or materialistic aspirations, they lose their sincerity and become tainted. Such actions not only fail to earn the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), but they also hinder our spiritual progress and distance us from the true essence of Islam.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to prioritize sincerity and purity of intention in their actions. It urges us to constantly evaluate our motives and detach ourselves from worldly desires. By doing so, we can ensure that our actions are accepted by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and that they contribute to our spiritual growth and development. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to perform our actions with sincerity and without being influenced by vain desires or worldly motives.