Hadith #7617

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. 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,

Honour in the sight of Allah, the Glorified, is through righteous actions, not by beautiful words.

This beautiful saying emphasizes the importance of actions over mere words in attaining honor in the sight of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Let us delve deeper into the meaning of this Hadith and explore its implications in light of the Quran.

The word (sharaf) "شَّرَفُ" in this Hadith refers to honor, dignity, or nobility. It signifies a high rank or status that is granted by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) to those who deserve it. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights that this honor is not achieved through beautiful words alone, but rather through righteous actions.

This concept is beautifully echoed in the Quran in various verses. For instance, in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:13), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

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 of you.

This verse clearly emphasizes that true honor lies in righteousness, not in external factors such as lineage, wealth, or eloquence.

Similarly, in Surah Al-Isra (17:80), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

And say: My Lord! Cause me to come in with a firm incoming and to go out with a firm outgoing. And give me from Thy presence a sustaining Power.

This verse highlights the importance of having a firm and righteous foundation in our actions. It is through steadfastness and sincerity that we can attain honor in the sight of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further emphasizes the significance of actions by contrasting them with beautiful words. While eloquence and articulation have their own value, they are not sufficient on their own to attain true honor in the sight of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). This is supported by the Quranic verse in Surah Al-Imran (3:104), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong: they are the ones to attain felicity.

This verse highlights the importance of actively promoting good and forbidding evil, rather than merely speaking about it.

The consequences of prioritizing actions over words are profound. When we focus on righteous actions, we not only earn the honor and pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), but we also become a source of inspiration and guidance for others. Our actions speak louder than words and have the power to impact those around us. As Muslims, we should strive to embody the teachings of Islam in our actions, treating others with kindness, justice, and compassion.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we are reminded of the importance of sincerity and consistency in our actions. It is not enough to merely speak about righteousness; we must actively strive to implement it in our daily lives. By doing so, we can attain true honor in the sight of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and become a means of positive change in the world.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to prioritize righteous actions over beautiful words and guide us on the path of true honor. Ameen.