Hadith #7672

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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of actions over mere words. Let us delve into the exegesis of this profound statement.

The word (i'rab) "إعْرابِ" in the Hadith refers to the act of expressing or articulating something. It implies the verbalization or declaration of one's thoughts, beliefs, or intentions. On the other hand, (al-a'mal) "الأعْمالِ" refers to actions or deeds. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is reminding us that actions hold greater significance and necessity than mere words.

This concept is beautifully echoed in the Quran. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Imran (3:114):

They believe in Allah and the Last Day, and they enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and hasten to good deeds. And those are among the righteous.

This verse highlights the importance of belief coupled with action. It emphasizes the need to not only believe in Allah and the Day of Judgment but also to actively promote righteousness and prevent evil. This aligns perfectly with the message of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in the Hadith.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Asr (103:1-3), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states:

By time, indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.

This verse emphasizes the importance of both faith and righteous actions. It highlights that true success lies in not only believing but also actively engaging in good deeds and encouraging others towards truth and patience.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder that actions speak louder than words. It is not enough to merely profess our faith or speak about our intentions; rather, it is through our actions that we truly manifest our beliefs and intentions. Our actions are a reflection of our character, sincerity, and commitment to our faith.

For instance, if one claims to be a compassionate and caring individual, their actions should align with these qualities. They should actively engage in acts of kindness, charity, and empathy towards others. Similarly, if one claims to be a devout worshipper, their actions should reflect their dedication to prayer, fasting, and other acts of worship.

The consequences of prioritizing actions over words are profound. When we prioritize actions, we are more likely to bring about positive change in ourselves and society. Our actions have the power to inspire and influence others. They can serve as a means of spreading goodness, justice, and compassion.

On the other hand, if we focus solely on articulating our beliefs and intentions without backing them up with actions, our words may lose their impact and credibility. People may become skeptical of our sincerity and question the authenticity of our faith. Our words may become empty rhetoric, devoid of any real substance.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) beautiful saying serves as a reminder to all Muslims that our faith should be reflected in our actions. We should strive to align our words with our deeds, ensuring that our actions are a true manifestation of our beliefs and intentions. By prioritizing actions, we can become agents of positive change and exemplify the teachings of Islam in our daily lives.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to prioritize actions over words and enable us to be sincere and righteous in our deeds. Ameen.