Hadith #1217

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, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he highlights the essence of true faith and the characteristics that are considered the worst. Let us delve into the exegesis of this Hadith, exploring its meanings and drawing upon the guidance of the Quran.

The Hadith begins by stating,

The best faith is [accompanied with] sincerity and good deeds.

The word used for faith in Arabic is (Iman) "إيمان", which refers to a deep and unwavering belief in Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and His Messenger (ﷺ). It encompasses both belief in the heart and actions that manifest this belief. The key aspect emphasized here is (ikhlas) "إخلاص", which means sincerity or purity of intention. True faith is rooted in a sincere and genuine devotion to Allah, devoid of any ulterior motives or desires for personal gain. It is an unwavering commitment to worship Allah alone, seeking His pleasure above all else.

The Hadith also highlights the importance of good deeds in strengthening one's faith. (ihsan) "الإحسان", translated as good deeds, refers to acts of kindness, righteousness, and excellence in all aspects of life. It encompasses acts of worship, such as prayer, fasting, and charity, as well as acts of kindness towards others, such as helping the needy, being just, and showing compassion. Good deeds are a manifestation of true faith and serve as a means of drawing closer to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). They reflect the sincerity of one's faith and are a source of blessings and rewards in this world and the Hereafter.

On the other hand, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) mentions the worst traits, stating,

The worst traits are cruelty and aggression.

The word used for cruelty in Arabic is (tajafi) "التجافي", which refers to harshness, oppression, and causing harm to others. It includes both physical and emotional cruelty, such as inflicting pain, injustice, and humiliation upon others. Similarly, (udwan) "العدوان", translated as aggression, refers to transgression, violence, and unjustly encroaching upon the rights of others.

These traits are condemned in Islam because they go against the principles of justice, compassion, and mercy that are central to the teachings of the Quran. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of kindness, forgiveness, and treating others with fairness and respect. In Surah Al-Hujurat (49:11), Allah says,

O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name of disobedience after [one's] faith. And whoever does not repent - then it is those who are the wrongdoers.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:8), Allah commands,

O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for Allah, witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) words serve as a reminder for Muslims to embody the qualities of sincerity, good deeds, kindness, and justice in their lives. By doing so, we strengthen our faith and fulfill our responsibilities as believers. Conversely, cruelty and aggression not only harm others but also tarnish our faith and distance us from the path of righteousness.

Let us reflect upon this Hadith and strive to cultivate sincerity in our intentions, perform good deeds, and avoid cruelty and aggression in all aspects of our lives. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to embody the best traits and protect us from the worst traits. May He guide us to the straight path and bless us with a strong and sincere faith.