Hadith #6385

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

إذَا اسْتَخْلَصَ اللّهُ عَبْداً ألْهَمَهُ الدِّيانَةَ۔

This Hadith can be translated as,

When Allah specially chooses a servant, He inspires him with [religious] devotion.

Let us now delve into the deeper meanings of the important words in this Hadith. The word (istakhlasa) "استخلص" means to select, choose, or single out someone for a special purpose. It signifies Allah's divine selection and favor upon His servants. The word (Allah) "اللّهُ" refers to the Almighty, the One who is free from any imperfections, and the Creator of the heavens and the earth. The word (abd) "عبداً" means servant or slave, indicating the relationship between Allah and His creation. And finally, the word (deenah) "الدِّيانَةَ" refers to religious devotion, faith, or the path of righteousness.

To understand the meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Anfal (8:29),

O you who have believed, if you fear Allah, He will grant you a criterion and will remove from you your misdeeds and forgive you. And Allah is the possessor of great bounty.

This verse highlights that when a person sincerely fears Allah and strives to please Him, Allah bestows upon them divine guidance and helps them distinguish between right and wrong.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:7), Allah (تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And know that among you is the Messenger of Allah. If he were to obey you in much of the matter, you would be in difficulty, but Allah has endeared to you the faith and has made it pleasing in your hearts and has made hateful to you disbelief, defiance, and disobedience. Those are the [rightly] guided.

This verse emphasizes that Allah has chosen and favored the believers by instilling faith in their hearts, making it beloved to them, and detesting disbelief and disobedience.

Reflecting upon the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in light of these Quranic verses, we understand that when Allah selects a servant for a special purpose, He inspires them with religious devotion. This divine inspiration leads them to seek knowledge, strive for righteousness, and adhere to the teachings of Islam. It is a manifestation of Allah's favor and guidance upon His chosen servants.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and piety, was a prime example of a servant who was specially chosen by Allah. His devotion to Allah and his unwavering commitment to the path of righteousness serve as an inspiration for all Muslims. Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) deep understanding of the Quran and his profound wisdom were a direct result of Allah's special selection and inspiration.

The consequences of Allah's selection and inspiration are profound. When a servant is chosen by Allah and inspired with religious devotion, they become a beacon of guidance for others. Their actions and words reflect the beauty and truth of Islam, attracting others towards the path of righteousness. They become a source of inspiration and motivation for those around them, encouraging them to deepen their faith and seek closeness to Allah.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that when Allah specially chooses a servant, He inspires them with religious devotion. This divine inspiration leads to knowledge, righteousness, and a deep connection with Allah. It is a manifestation of Allah's favor and guidance upon His chosen servants. As Muslims, we should strive to seek Allah's favor and guidance by sincerely devoting ourselves to Him, and by emulating the example of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in our lives. May Allah grant us the ability to be among His chosen servants and inspire us with unwavering religious devotion.