Hadith #2949

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.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he describes the qualities of a select group of individuals. He refers to them as "karaimu al-Iman" and "kunuzur Rahman". Let us delve into the meanings of these words to gain a deeper understanding of the Hadith.

The term "karaimu al-Iman" can be translated as

the gems of faith

Gems are precious and valuable, and in this context, they symbolize the individuals who possess exceptional faith. These individuals are like shining gems in the eyes of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), as their faith is pure, steadfast, and unwavering. Their actions and beliefs are a reflection of their deep-rooted faith, and they serve as a source of inspiration for others.

The term "kunuzur Rahman" can be translated as

the treasures of the Most Merciful

Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) is the Most Merciful, and these individuals are described as treasures in His sight. They possess qualities and virtues that are highly valued by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), such as righteousness, piety, and humility. They are treasures because their actions and character reflect the mercy and compassion of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) towards His creation.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further explains that when these individuals speak, they are truthful. Their words are a reflection of their inner faith and sincerity. They do not engage in falsehood or deceit, but rather their speech is characterized by honesty, integrity, and wisdom. Their words carry weight and are trusted by others due to their impeccable character and adherence to the truth.

Furthermore, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states that when these individuals remain silent, they are not surpassed. This implies that their silence is not a sign of weakness or lack of knowledge, but rather a deliberate choice to refrain from speaking when it is not necessary or beneficial. Their silence is a manifestation of their wisdom, self-control, and ability to discern when to speak and when to remain silent. They understand the power of silence and use it as a means to avoid unnecessary arguments, conflicts, and misunderstandings.

To support the exegesis of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:13):

O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.

This verse emphasizes that the most noble and honorable individuals in the sight of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) are those who possess righteousness. These individuals are the ones who embody the qualities described in the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) - the gems of faith and the treasures of the Most Merciful.

Another verse that supports this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Qasas (28:56):

Indeed, [O Muhammad], you do not guide whom you like, but Allah guides whom He wills. And He is most knowing of the [rightly] guided.

This verse reminds us that true guidance comes from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) alone. He chooses and guides those who possess sincere faith and righteousness. These individuals are the ones described in the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) - the gems of faith and the treasures of the Most Merciful.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the qualities of individuals who are the embodiment of faith and mercy. They are like precious gems in the eyes of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), and their words and silence are a testament to their righteousness and wisdom. As Muslims, we should strive to emulate these qualities in our own lives and seek to be among the gems of faith and the treasures of the Most Merciful. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all on the path of righteousness and grant us the ability to speak the truth and remain silent when necessary.