Hadith #4944

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

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

سُنَّةُ الأَبْرارِ حُسْنُ الاِسْتِسْلامِ۔

This can be translated as,

The practice of the righteous people is complete submission [to the will of Allah].

Let us delve into the significance of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (sunnah) "سُنَّةُ" refers to a way of life or a practice that is followed consistently. It signifies a pattern of behavior that is established and upheld by the righteous individuals. In this context, it refers to the actions and conduct of those who are pious and obedient to Allah.

The term (al-abrar) "الأَبْرارِ" refers to the righteous people who are virtuous, upright, and obedient to Allah. They are those who strive to fulfill their duties and obligations towards Allah and His creation. They are the ones who consistently seek to please Allah and avoid any form of disobedience.

The word (husn) "حُسْنُ" means excellence or goodness. It signifies the highest level of quality and perfection. In this Hadith, it refers to the ideal and praiseworthy nature of the act of submission to Allah's will.

The word (al-istislam) "الاِسْتِسْلامِ" means submission or surrender. It is derived from the root word (salam) "سَلَمَ", which means peace. In the context of this Hadith, it refers to the act of completely surrendering oneself to the will of Allah, submitting to His commands, and accepting His decree with patience and contentment.

The Quran provides numerous verses that emphasize the importance of complete submission to Allah. One such verse is found in Surah Al-Baqarah, where Allah says, (Quran 2:170)

And when it is said to them, 'Follow what Allah has revealed,' they say, 'Rather, we will follow that which we found our fathers doing.' Even though their fathers understood nothing, nor were they guided?

This verse highlights the importance of following the guidance of Allah rather than blindly adhering to the practices of our forefathers. It emphasizes the need for independent thinking and a sincere desire to seek the truth. The righteous individuals mentioned in the Hadith are those who have understood this concept and have chosen to submit to Allah's will wholeheartedly.

Another verse that supports the exegesis of this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Imran, where Allah says, (Quran 3:19)

Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam. And those who were given the Scripture did not differ except after knowledge had come to them - out of jealous animosity between themselves. And whoever disbelieves in the verses of Allah, then indeed, Allah is swift in [taking] account.

This verse emphasizes that true religion, in the sight of Allah, is Islam, which means complete submission to His will. The righteous individuals mentioned in the Hadith are those who have embraced this true religion and have chosen to live their lives in accordance with it.

The exegesis of this Hadith teaches us the importance of complete submission to Allah's will. It reminds us that true righteousness lies in surrendering ourselves to Allah and following His guidance without hesitation or reservation. The righteous individuals mentioned in the Hadith serve as role models for us, inspiring us to strive for excellence in our submission to Allah.

When we practice complete submission to Allah, we align ourselves with the teachings of the Quran and the example of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his noble companions. We become individuals who are steadfast in their faith, patient in the face of trials, and humble in their interactions with others. Our actions and conduct reflect the beauty of Islam and serve as a means of spreading goodness and righteousness in the world.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that the practice of the righteous individuals is characterized by their complete submission to the will of Allah. It encourages us to emulate their example and strive for excellence in our submission to Allah. By doing so, we align ourselves with the teachings of the Quran and become beacons of righteousness in our communities. May Allah grant us the ability to practice complete submission and may He bless us with the company of the righteous in this life and the Hereafter.