Hadith #8410

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all the 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 fulfilling the obligations and performing recommended acts in order to perfect the virtues of faith. Let us delve into the words of this Hadith and explore their meanings in the light of the Quran.

The first word we will examine is (ittaqa) "اتَّقَيْتَ", which means to keep away from or avoid. In the context of this Hadith, it refers to abstaining from the forbidden acts. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) commands us in the Quran to have taqwa, which is often translated as "fear of God" or "piety." Taqwa entails not only refraining from sinful actions but also being conscious of Allah's presence and striving to please Him in all aspects of our lives. Allah says in Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah 197:

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

The next word is (ash-shubahat) "الشُّبَهاتِ", which refers to doubtful matters. It is important for a Muslim to avoid engaging in activities that are unclear or ambiguous in their permissibility. This is because indulging in doubtful matters can lead to sin and transgression. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) advises us in Surah Al-Hujurat, Ayah 12:

O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Merciful.

The third word is (al-mafroodat) "المَفْرُوضاتِ", which refers to the obligatory acts of worship. These are the actions that Allah has commanded us to perform, such as the five daily prayers, fasting in the month of Ramadan, and giving Zakat. Fulfilling these obligations is essential for the perfection of faith. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah 83:

And [recall] when We took the covenant from the Children of Israel, [enjoining upon them], 'Do not worship except Allah; and to parents do good and to relatives, orphans, and the needy. And speak to people good [words] and establish prayer and give Zakah.' Then you turned away, except a few of you, and you were refusing.

Lastly, the word (an-nawafil) "النَّوافِلِ" refers to the recommended acts of worship. These are the voluntary acts that are not obligatory but are highly encouraged and rewarded. Performing these acts demonstrates one's love and devotion to Allah. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Isra, Ayah 79:

And from [part of] the night, pray with it as additional [worship] for you; it is expected that your Lord will resurrect you to a praised station.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that by avoiding the forbidden, refraining from doubtful matters, fulfilling our obligations, and engaging in recommended acts, we can perfect the virtues of faith. This means that not only should we refrain from sinful actions, but we should also strive to go above and beyond what is required of us.

By doing so, we strengthen our relationship with Allah, increase our taqwa, and develop a deeper understanding of our faith. We become more conscious of our actions and intentions, ensuring that we are constantly striving to please Allah in all aspects of our lives.

Moreover, by perfecting the virtues of faith, we become role models for others and inspire them to do the same. Our actions have a ripple effect, influencing those around us to also strive for excellence in their faith.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of fulfilling our obligations and engaging in recommended acts in order to perfect the virtues of faith. By avoiding the forbidden, refraining from doubtful matters, fulfilling our obligations, and engaging in recommended acts, we strengthen our relationship with Allah, increase our taqwa, and become exemplary Muslims. May Allah grant us the ability to perfect the virtues of faith and guide us on the straight path.